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B.A./B.S. Liberal Studies - Preparation  for an Elementary Teacher

By taking the following courses as part of your Liberal Studies degree program, you'll be preparing yourself to enter a teacher licensure program in elementary education.

I. Take this math sequence at your community college.

______ MTH 211, 212, [12 cr]: Foundations of Elementary Mathematics
______ Take the California Basic Educational Skills for Teachers exam (CBEST) after MTH 390 if being licensed in Oregon.

II. Volunteer in a classroom. Six credits can count for major requirements. Additional credits can count as upper-division electives.

______ LS 406 [1-16 cr]: Contact Polly Jeneva to arrange for this hands-on experience.
______ Get letters of recommendation from any classroom experiences that are not for credit.  

III. To best prepare you for your teaching career, complete the following courses at some point in your degree program:

______ Children's Literature
______ Courses about non-European cultures
______ English literature
______ Fine Arts (Art, Poetry, Theatre)
______ Foreign Language
______ History/ U.S. History
______ Human development
______ Science

IV. ______ Take the Oregon Education Licensure Assessments (ORELA). (Oregon licensure requirement; check with your state licensing agency for required tests.)

V. ______ Apply to a licensure program to get your teaching certificate. This will enable you to get certified and begin your teaching career. At some point, you will be asked to complete a criminal history questionnaire.

Option:  Complete the following lower-division courses at your community college, if available. These credits will count as lower-division electives.

______ Introduction to Education
______ Practicum in Teaching

NOTE: You will need a 3.0 in your last 90 quarter graded credits to be admitted to graduate school.

Talk to an Advisor
For questions regarding preparation for an elementary teacher and OSU's licensure program, contact:
Polly Jeneva, Head Advisor
College of Liberal Arts
E-mail: Polly.Jeneva@oregonstate.edu
Phone: 541-737-0561