Elementary Education

Purdue University in West Lafayette

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 an awareness and understanding of diverse cultures and people through 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:

• On or around Purdue’s campus
• Partnerships with the Indianapolis Public School Urban Experience
• Travel outside of Indiana to Texas, Arizona, New Mexico or even internationally

Students who successfully complete all requirements of a teacher preparation program that is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation and the Indiana Department of Education 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 sixth grade) in a public, private or independent school. Purdue has interstate licensing agreements with the other 49 U.S. states, meaning graduates will be able to teach in Indiana as well as any other state in the country.