University of Portland Bulletin 2025-2026

Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education

B.A. Learning Outcomes

The bachelor of arts in education degree leads to recommendation for an Oregon P-12 "multiple subjects" (elementary) preliminary license. Additional endorsements may also be completed with additional credit hours of study. General degree outcomes are listed below. Candidates for the degree will be able to meet the following Oregon Teacher Standards and Practices Commission standards:

  • Plan instruction that supports student progress in learning in multiple subject areas and is appropriate for the early childhood, elementary, or middle developmental levels.
  • Establish a classroom climate conducive to learning.
  • Engage students in planned learning activities.
  • Evaluate, act upon, and report student progress in learning.
  • Exhibit professional behaviors, ethics, and values.

Degree Requirements

To qualify for the degree and recommendation for Oregon licensure, the following requirements must be met:

  1. Passage of all TSPC approved tests required for licensure by March 1 of the sophomore year, including passing the required civil rights exam. Exceptions are subject to approval by the division chair;
  2. Completion of a minimum of 120 semester credit hours of study;
  3. Successful completion of all coursework with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50;
  4. A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.70 in all education classes;
  5. A grade of C or better in all education courses; candidates who receive a grade of C- or lower in any education course must repeat the course;
  6. Passage of ENG 107 or equivalent course with a grade of B- or better. ENG 107 is waived if the SAT Evidence Based Reading and Writing score is 640 or above;
  7. Successful completion of student teaching to include a TPA portfolio;
  8. Recommendation for licensure from the division chair;
  9. Subject to approval by the dean, candidates who are not able to complete student teaching and student teaching seminar and/or other licensure requirements may be recommended for graduation without licensure by substituting upper division educational coursework which meets University requirements for a degree;
  10. During the professional year, candidates may not enroll in more than 15 semester credit hours each semester.  Exceptions are subject to approval by the division chair. 

UP Core Requirements — 40 credit hours

All University of Portland students progress through a set of shared course options as part of the University’s liberal arts Core Curriculum. This curriculum offers a foundation of multiple lenses to address enduring questions of human concern, integrating the liberal arts, the University mission, and the knowledge, skills, and values needed in a diverse society and in the workplace.

See UP Core Requirements

The core requirement for the Diversity & the Common Good Habit is satisfied by HST 210 or HST 211 within the major.

The core requirement for the Global & Historical Consciousness Habit is satisfied by the global history course within the major.

Two of the three core requirements for the Science & Problem Solving Habit are satisfied by the mathematics and science requirements within the major.

ED 320 and ED 400 are the designated Writing in the Discipline courses for the B.A. in Elementary Education.

Common Education Requirements — 21-22 credit hours

ENG 107Thinking Through Writing

3
ENV 110Earth Systems Science

3
HST 210Who is America: The Early U.S.

3
Or
HST 211Who is America: The Modern U.S.

3
MTH 105Mathematics for Elementary Teachers I

3
PHY 109Powerful Ideas in Physical Science

3

Select one global history course from the following:
HST 221The Social Question in Modern European History

3
HST 251Modern East Asia

3
HST 254Colonial Latin America

3
HST 256Modern Latin America

3
Other HST courses designated HTS 25X or HST 291 may fulfill this global history requirement. Please confirm eligible course offerings with an academic advisor.

Select one mathematics course from the following:
MTH 160Quantitative Reasoning

3
MTH 161Elementary Statistics

3
MTH 201Calculus I

4

Major Requirements — 55 credit hours

ED 150Introduction to Education

3
ED 250Theories of Child Development in Educational Contexts

3
ED 320Sociocultural Foundations of Education

3
ED 330Inclusive Policies and Practices for Diverse Learners

3
ED 331Dyslexia Lab

1
ED 340Health, Wellness, and Science for Elementary Teachers

3
ED 400Curriculum and Instruction

3
ED 411Assessment Practices for Teaching and Learning

3
ED 414Children's and Adolescent Literature and Library

3
ED 424Technology, Creativity, and Artificial Intelligence in Education

3
ED 426Elementary Classroom Relationships and Management

3
ED 441Foundations of Reading and Writing

3
ED 442Reading and Language Arts Methods

3
ED 445Mathematics and Science Methods

3
ED 470Multiple Subjects (Elementary) Student Teaching

3
ED 472Multiple Subjects (Elementary) Student Teaching

3
ED 476Multiple Subjects (Elementary) Student Teaching: Advanced

3
ED 481Language, Literacy & Culture

3
ED 487Multiple Subjects (Elementary) Seminar for Student Teachers

3

General Electives — 15-16 credit hours

A minimum of 15-16 additional general elective credit hours are required to reach the minimum 120 credit hours required for the Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education degree.

Total Credit Hours: 120