School of Education

Primary Education

Our curriculum equips you with the essential tools and knowledge to create meaningful learning experiences for elementary students in public and private school settings. Through a combination of coursework, field experiences and clinical practice, you'll gain the skills and knowledge needed to inspire and educate young learners (grades P-5).

To apply to the initial licensure program in Primary Education at the graduate level, you must hold a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. Candidates are required to show evidence of undergraduate course work in the following areas: English Composition (3 credits); Literature (3 credits); History (3 credits); Mathematics (6 credits); and Sciences (3 credits), with a grade of C or better in Literature, History, Science, Mathematics, Literature and B or better in English composition.

Email the program director, Lauren Angelone (angelonel@xavier.edu) for an advising appointment. Please bring an official copy of transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate work to this meeting. This step is required for students seeking initial licensure in Primary Education. Next the student must apply for admission to the program in Elementary Education.

Required coursework for initial licensure in Primary Education at the graduate level*:

  • EDFD 501: Intro to Education (3 credits)
  • EDFD 550: Instructional Technology (3 credits)
  • EDEL 652: Culturally Responsive Teaching (3 credits)
  • EDEC 558: Art and Play (3 credits)
  • EDEC 555: Early Care Practices (6 credits)
  • EDCH 524: Children’s Literature (3 credits)
  • EDEL 651: Instructional Strategies for English Learners (3 credits)
  • EDRE 569: Phonics (3 credits)
  • EDRE 512: Reading Methods (3 credits)
  • EDRE 671: Content Area Literacy (3 credits)
  • EDRE 678: Literacy Assess, Adm, App (3 credits)
  • EDFD 525: Managing Diverse Classrooms (3 credits)
  • EDEL 603: Primary Math Methods (3 credits)
  • EDEL 604: Primary Science Methods (3 credits)
  • EDEL 606: Primary Language Arts Methods (3 credits)
  • EDEL 610: Field Internship (3 credits)
  • EDEC 450: Student Teaching Internship (9 credits)
  • EDFD 650: Student Teaching Seminar (3 credits)

Three Ohio Assessments for Educators (OAE) exams must also be passed to earn initial licensure:

  • OAE 055: Primary Education (PK-5)
  • OAE 057: Assessment of Professional Knowledge: Primary Education
  • OAE 190: Foundations of Reading

To add the M.Ed in Elementary Education, students should also take the graduate core:

  • EDFD 500: History and Philosophy of American Education (3 credits)
  • EDFD 505: Organization of Education Systems in the United States (3 credits)
  • EDFD 507: Research Lecture and Paper (3 credits)

*Curriculum is subject to change.