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Global Education (Elementary) Degree

Earn your elementary education degree with a global emphasis

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If you have a passion for teaching, enjoy working with young children, have a heart for missions and ministry, and feel called to use your gifts in another country, we invite you to study Global Education with an elementary focus at a university recognized as one of the leading producers of teachers in the region.

As a Global Education major at SBU, you will experience coursework in education, intercultural studies, and Christian ministry to prepare you to teach and serve in communities across the globe. The coursework we offer is paired with practical teaching experiences in local school settings to prepare you to meet the diverse needs of elementary aged students. Additionally, you will be immersed in other cultures through cross-cultural service projects and mission trips. You will complete your student teaching semester abroad at an international school while still obtaining Missouri state teaching certification in grades 1-6.

The Global Education (Elementary) bachelor's degree is offered through SBU's College of Professional Programs.

Resources

Major Map

Degree Plan

two female students smile while playing with young children in Thailand

The SBU Advantage

  • Learn from faculty who are experts in their fields and come from diverse educational and professional backgrounds, including public school, private school, and homeschool.
  • Work one-on-one with expert faculty to create your four-year plan, develop your résumé, network for jobs, and pursue teaching certification in other states.
  • Engage in field experience opportunities early, beginning in your freshman year, and culminating with your student teaching experience your senior year in another country.
  • Enroll in Junior Block during your junior year, which provides a tight link between methods classes and extensive field experiences.
  • Study under intercultural studies faculty who bring real-world experience in cross-cultural ministry into the classroom

Faith Integration

At SBU, we approach education and teaching from a Christian worldview. Our education faculty live out their walks with Christ in all they do – in the classroom, with advisees, with fellow faculty, and in service to the University, community, and their local churches.

The intentional integration of Christian faith with the education curriculum distinguishes SBU’s Education Division. Christian principles are discussed in the classroom and applied to educational strategies, philosophies, and best practices.

As a Global Education major at SBU, you will be challenged to recognize your job to be more than just a teacher. Instead, you will be an example, role model, and servant leader. You will learn to view the classroom as a mission field in which well-trained Christian teachers are desperately needed.

Student Teaching Internationally

SBU has partnered with accredited international schools for student teaching placements for Global Education majors. Cooperating teachers who are certified and meet the criteria to mentor student teachers will be paired with teacher candidates in their certification area. Teacher candidates also will be supervised and supported by university faculty during the student teaching semester. Currently, placements can be made in the following countries, with more to be added as agreements are developed:

  • China
  • Germany
  • Japan
  • Mexico
  • Philippines
  • Singapore
  • Taiwan
  • United Arab Emirates

Career Opportunities

Employers want our graduates and frequently call to request them.

Our education alumni have been hired as:

  • Public school teachers
  • Private school teachers
  • Preschool teachers
  • Daycare center administrators and teachers
  • International school teachers
  • Military base teachers
  • Missionaries
  • Camp ministry leaders
  • Christian camp recruitment leaders
  • Children's ministers

Graduate Degrees

An advantage to studying education at SBU is the access to SBU's distinguished master's and doctorate degree programs in education. Many students begin their teaching careers while simultaneously pursuing further education at SBU with one of the following degree programs:

Professional Opportunities

Student Missouri State Teachers Association

As a Global Education major, you are encouraged to join SBU’s chapter of the Student Missouri State Teachers Association (SMSTA) to benefit from professional development, liability protection, and networking opportunities as you prepare for your future teaching career.

Center For Global Connections

The Center for Global Connections offers multiple service opportunities and mission trips every semester and most academic breaks (Christmas, Spring Break, summer, etc.). Join and participate in at least two cross-cultural mission trips connected to education to practice your teaching skills.

Scholarships

Thanks to generous donors, more than $40,000 in privately funded scholarships are available annually by application to anyone pursuing an education degree. Several privately funded scholarships are also available by application to students preparing for service in missions and evangelism.

Additionally, you are encouraged to apply for any of the various competitive scholarships announced annually by outside organizations, such as the Missouri Association of Rural Education Scholarship (three to five $1000 awards given statewide annually) or the Jack J. Isgur Foundation Scholarship (approximately thirty-five $3000 awards given statewide annually).

Full-Time Faculty

Julie Bryant

Dr. Julie Bryant, Professor
Scott Morrison

Dr. Scott Morrison, Associate Professor
Jennifer Fox

Dr. Jennifer Fox, Certification Officer
Tamara Samek

Dr. Tamara Samek, Associate Professor
Chuck Lentz

Dr. Chuck Lentz, Professor
Colleen Shuler

Dr. Colleen Shuler, Assistant Professor

Admission and Certification

Admission to the Global Education (Elementary) degree program at SBU is contingent on a cumulative 2.5 GPA. You must also pass all sections of the Missouri General Education Assessment (MoGEA), or attain a composite ACT score of 20 or higher, and complete the appropriate education courses.

SBU’s Division of Education receives program approval on an annual basis from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). Therefore, SBU graduates can apply for and receive teaching certification in the state of Missouri.

Once you have completed your program and received your initial Missouri teaching certificate, you may add other areas of certification by passing the appropriate Missouri Content Assessments (MoCA). For example, many elementary education majors take the Early Childhood Education MoCA to add certification for birth through third grades, allowing them to teach in preschools, daycare centers, or kindergarten classrooms.

Many students are also interested in becoming certified special education teachers. Our Global Education (Elementary) majors complete coursework and receive the training helpful to this career path with classes that emphasize differentiated instruction for all learners. You would then be equipped to pass the Special Education MoCA, allowing you to serve as either an elementary or special education teacher.

Global Education (Elementary) Four-Year Plan

Freshman

Fall Semester

BIB 1013 Old Testament History 3
MAT 1243 Algebraic Reasoning and Modeling 3
ENG 1113 English Composition I 3
EDU 2113 Educational Psychology 3
CIS 1103 Computer and Information Management 3
UNI 1111 University Seminar 1
Total hours 16

Winterfest

ICS 2911 Cross-Cultural Service Project 1

Spring Semester

BIB 1023 New Testament History 3
MAT 2393 Geometry, Data, and Probability for Elementary/Middle School Teachers 3
ENG 2213 English Composition II 3
EDU 2313 Foundations of Education 3
EDU 2121 Field Experience I 1
SPF 2032 Spiritual Formation for Ministry 2
UNI 1121 Introduction to Critical Thinking 1
Total hours 16
 

Sophomore

Fall Semester

BIO 1004 Principles of Biology 4
EDU 2353 Children's Literature 3
EDU 2283 Teaching Number Theory 3
ICS 2013 Anthropology for Cross-Cultural Service 3
HIS 1113 Introduction to World Civilization I 3
Total hours 16

WinterFest

ECO 2003 LIFE Economics 3

Spring Semester

PHS 2005 Physical Science for Elementary and Middle School Teachers 5
EDU 2343 Emergent Literacy 3
EDU 2823 Technology for Educators 3
KIN 1162 Foundations of Physical Fitness/Wellness 2
CHR 3073 Intro to Disciple-making & Evangelism 3
Total hours 16
 

Junior

Fall Semester (Junior Block)

EDU 3114 Teaching Literacy I 4
EDU 3003 Teaching Social Sciences 3
EDU 3163 Teaching Integrated Math 3
EDU 3143 Integrating Art, Music, and Movement 3
EDU 3311 Field Experience Level 2 (Grades 1-3) 1
EDU 3043 Learner Development and the Classroom 3
Total hours 17

Spring Semester (Junior Block)

EDU 3124 Teaching Literacy II 4
EDU 3483 School, Home, and Community Collaboration 3
EDU 3183 Teaching Integrated Science 3
EDU 3823 Behavior and Classroom Management 3
EDU 3321 Field Experience Level 2 (Grades 4-6) 1
ICS 4313 World Religions 3
Total hours 17
 

Senior

Fall Semester

COM 1103 Fundamentals of Speech Communication 3
FAR 10_3 Intro to Art, Fine Arts, Music or Theatre 3
EDU 2003 Curriculum, Planning, and Assessment 3
POL 1113 American Government and Politics 3
ICS 3023 Cross-Cultural Life and Service 3
Total hours 15

Spring Semester

EDU 4623 Teaching Diverse Learners 3
EDU 4691 Student Teaching Seminar 1
EDU 4929 Student Teaching Elementary 10
ICS 2911 Cross-Cultural Service Project 1
Total hours 15

Download in PDF format:
Global Education (Elementary) Plan (PDF)