Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education – Emphasis in Coaching (Certified)

Overview

The Elementary Education – Coaching program at Arizona Christian University trains you in the art and science of teaching and coaching children. Three key attributes of the program prepare you for a successful career in education. First, the program emphasizes the integration of education principles across the teaching profession. You will learn that teaching is not compartmentalized but it is a rich combination of research-based theories and hands-on practical experience. Second, the program emphasizes practicality. Through the lens of extensive experience, ACU faculty provide you with timely and valuable glimpses into today’s classrooms and athletic opportunities. The final and most valuable attribute is the emphasis on mentoring. Because of the intentional small class sizes at ACU, you will be able to develop strong mentoring relationships with your instructors. This mentoring begins in the classroom, continues through student teaching, and beyond graduation.

Why Elementary Education – Coaching at ACU?

In addition to a faculty to student ratio of 17:1 and a rigorous, biblically-integrated curriculum, ACU’s Elementary Education program offers several unique advantages:

  • Elementary Education Coaching coursework is often integrated with athletic teams right on campus.
  • ACU is one of 24 universities in the United States and the only one in Arizona that is certified by ACSI (Association of Christian Schools International).
  • ACU’s Elementary Education program is approved by the Arizona Department of Education.
  • ACU’s education graduates are in great demand locally and abroad.
  • Faculty in the department have an average of 20 years of experience in the field, meaning you are taught by leaders in education who have extensive classroom experience.
  • Small class sizes create a safe, comfortable setting to practice your teaching and hone your skills.
  • God’s Word and His Truths are foundational in all coursework at ACU.
  • All graduates in the certified program also graduate with full ACSI (Association of Christian Schools International) certification, which provides opportunities to teach internationally.

Beginning your first year, our phenomenal faculty and staff commit to do our part while you do yours, providing you with personalized, on-on-one support, and benefits unique to ACU. Click HERE for a detailed layout of your expectations and benefits as an education major. Just think of it as All As- ACU benefits, ADE approved, and ACSI certified.

What will I study?

The Elementary Education Coaching program provides a biblical liberal arts foundation with an innovative approach to general studies. CORE courses reclaim a Christian conception of the Liberal Arts, preparing students to be influential thinkers. Career-related focus areas will include:

  • Kinesiology
  • Athletic coaching
  • Educational psychology
  • Curriculum and instruction methods for grades kindergarten through grade 8
  • Human development
  • Research based methods teaching Math, Reading, Language Arts, Science, and, Social Studies
  • Special education methods grades kindergarten through grade 8
  • Children’s literature
  • Classroom management
  • Methods for teaching English language learners

 

Career Paths

Graduates who meet the requirements of the Elementary Education Coaching program are prepared to

  • Teach grades kindergarten through 8th grade at a charter, private, or public school.
  • Teach in Christian schools in the United States and all over the world because of the ACSI Certification.
  • Obtain master’s degrees in leadership, curriculum and instruction, administration, special education, or in their content area.
  • Work with children in various church, parachurch, and nonprofit organizations.
  • Coach athletic teams.

Elementary Education Coaching


Overview


Career Paths


Courses

Shelly Roden School of Education

Arizona Christian University
Building 2000
1 W. Firestorm Way
Glendale, AZ 85306

  Phone:
(602) 489-5300

  Email:
[email protected]

Professional Licensure/Certification Disclosure Statement

In compliance with U.S. Federal Regulations (34 CFR § 668.50 and 34 CFR § 668.43), Arizona Christian University provides the following disclosures concerning its Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education program.

The Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education may lead to Educator Certification in Arizona. All students who satisfactorily complete the Elementary Education certificate program at Arizona Christian University, will receive an Institutional Recommendation (IR) from the university. A program “audit” will be conducted upon completion of the last program requirement to ensure 3.0 GPA in required program coursework (including transfer coursework), a 2.5 GPA overall, tuition/fees paid in full, and materials checked out from library have been returned. The IR will be uploaded to the Arizona Department of Education. It is good for one year and cannot be reissued. The IR saves you time and money when you are applying for your teaching certificate. An informative chart on the benefits of completing the Education Program at ACU can be found at https://www.arizonachristian.edu/education-program-benefits/. Information on Educator Certification in Arizona can be found at the Arizona Department of Education website (https://www.azed.gov/educator-certification).

Additionally, certificated graduates receive an Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) teaching certificate that qualifies them to teach in Christian schools in the 180 U.S. and around the world. For information on how to apply for ACSI certification, please visit their website (https://www.acsi.org/accreditation-certification/certification-for-teachers/certification).

States vary in their certification requirements. ACU has made reasonable, good faith efforts to determine if its certified education programs meet the applicable education requirement for professional licensure or certification in all fifty states and several U.S. territories. This information can be accessed here.

These disclosures do not guarantee that any jurisdiction will approve an application for certification, and ACU shall not be held liable for an unsuccessful professional certification application.

Updated 2/16/2022

Academic Major Courses

Core requirements accumulate to 30 credits, 15 credits of Biblical and Theological Studies and 8 credits of science courses.

CourseCourse NameCredits
HIS 212US and Arizona Government3
EDU 300Tests and Measurements3
EED 302Intro to Health and Fitness1
EDU 312Human Development3
EED 313Language Arts in the Elementary School3
EED 314Science & Social Studies in the Elementary School3
EDU 314Introduction to the Exceptional Child3
EDU 315Educational Psychology3
EED 315Reading and Decoding3
EED 316Reading Comprehension3
EDU 317Curriculum and Instruction3
EDU 415Classroom Management (Taken semester prior to student teaching)3
EED 417Mathematics in the Elementary School3
EDU 430Children's Literature3
SEI 490Structured English Immersion Methods3
EED 410Directed Student Teaching9
EED 490Elementary Education Capstone3
Coaching Emphasis (9 credits)
BIO 476Kinesiology3
PHE 301Coaching Fundamentals3
Coaching Electives - Sports Participation (3 credits)
PHE ___Sports Participation1
PHE ___Sports Participation1
PHE ___Sports Participation1