Elementary teachers have tremendous influence on the children they teach. The elementary education program will prepare you to become a teacher through a combination of coursework and supervised experiences, called "clinical practice", in grade school classrooms. In addition to developing practical and theoretical knowledge, you will develop your awareness and understand of diverse cultures and people. All with an immersive curriculum that prepares you for real-world experiences, individual child development, and growth as a student.
Clinical practice can occur through a variety of ways:
- Partnerships with schools in the campus area
- Targeted experiences with urban, suburban, and rural classrooms
- Options to travel outside of Indiana to Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, or even internationally
Purdue's teacher preparation program is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and the Indiana Department of Education. Graduates are eligible for licensure in the state of Indiana.
Once licensed, an elementary education graduate is qualified to teach all subjects to elementary students (kindergarten through 6th grade) in a public, private, or independent school. Purdue has interstate licensing agreements with the other 49 U.S. states, which means graduates will be able to teach in Indiana and any other state in the country.