Program Details
Program Details
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Bachelor of Arts
Randolph-Macon College
Program Details
Elementary Education (BA)
Bachelor of ArtsElementary Education (BA)
Randolph-Macon College
The elementary education major consists of required education courses as well as affiliated courses from departments across the College (which develop students' breadth and depth of content knowledge). The sequence of required courses is informed by our state and national accrediting agencies, the VDOE and CAEP. Starting to plan your education program as early as possible is advisable, and students should begin education and non-EDUC coursework during their freshmen year. Application to the program is submitted in spring of the student's sophomore year. For acceptance to the program, students must have a GPA of 2.8, have taken or be enrolled in EDUC 220 and must have earned passing scores on the Praxis Core Math Exam and the VCLA exam. For licensure in Virginia, candidates must achieve passing scores on Praxis Subject Assessments, and the Reading for Virginia Educators (RVE). They must also complete a series of online trainings and become CPR certified.
Program Overview & Guidance
Delivery Mode
In-Person
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Delivery Mode
Online
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Delivery Mode
Hybrid
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| Program Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Considerations for Selecting Degree | The elementary education major consists of required education courses as well as affiliated courses from departments across the college which develop students' breadth and depth of content knowledge. Starting to plan your education program as early as possible is advisable. For acceptance to the program, students must have a GPA of 2.8, have taken or be enrolled in EDUC 220 Profession of Teaching and must have earned passing scores on the VCLA exam and shown proficiency in math. Students complete fieldwork experiences in each education class that they take in our program, where they observe K-6 classes in action and participate in mini-lessons in the classroom. The Elementary Education Program culminates in a semester of student teaching in the elementary classroom. Please note: Students enrolled at Randolph-Macon College attend classes primarily Monday-Friday between 8 am - 5 pm with very few evening courses. The large majority of RMC coursework is offered in-person and on campus. A very limited selection of online courses is offered in summer sessions. No more than one half of the courses on a major or minor can be transferred; at least one-half of the semester hours of the major or minor must be taken at Randolph-Macon. |
| Considerations When Selecting Courses |
|
| Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses | Students enrolled in education courses must complete required fieldwork with every course. Students are required to provide their own transportation to fieldwork placements. Fieldwork placements take place in Hanover County, Henrico County, and Richmond Public Schools. |
| Doing More With Your Degree | While in the program, students have the opportunity to travel through courses such as Comparative Education. Previous classes have traveled to Italy, Spain, England and Africa. Graduates from our program are employed in counties all over Virginia and in other states such as Maryland and North Carolina. Other graduates have continued their studies in programs such as Masters of Education, Reading Specialists, or Educatoinal Leadership. |
| Program Successes & Highlights | Over the last 5+ years, 100% of our graduates who have sought a teaching position have found employment. We provide one-on-one support to ensure gradudates are able to secure teaching positions in schools across Virginia or neigboring states. |
Program Credit Requirements
Please look above to see if a Transfer Guide is available for this program. lf you are a current Virginia Community College student or are planning to start at a Virginia Community College before transferring to this institution and program, please follow the Transfer Guide to plan your courses at the community college.
The table below provides the requirements to complete this program if you are not following a Transfer Guide. If you have an account and have created a Portfolio, the table includes the "Applied Credits" column. This column shows how the credits you earned based on the experiences you entered may be applied to satisfy these requirements. You can find schools where you can take courses that will transfer and apply to this degree using the Where Can I Find An Equivalent Course feature in the Transfer Tools menu.
The table below provides the requirements to complete this program if you are not following a Transfer Guide. If you have an account and have created a Portfolio, the table includes the "Applied Credits" column. This column shows how the credits you earned based on the experiences you entered may be applied to satisfy these requirements. You can find schools where you can take courses that will transfer and apply to this degree using the Where Can I Find An Equivalent Course feature in the Transfer Tools menu.
The program map provided below is an estimate based on courses identified as a result of reviewing your portfolio
and the requirements for the selected program.
A formal determination of credits awarded for your prior learning and their applicability to the degree requirements can only be made by the institution. The formal determination and resulting map may reflect higher or lower number of credits to be completed to achieve this program.
A formal determination of credits awarded for your prior learning and their applicability to the degree requirements can only be made by the institution. The formal determination and resulting map may reflect higher or lower number of credits to be completed to achieve this program.
Requirements
Required Credits
Elementary Education (BA)
120
Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education
120
This requires a minimum GPA of 2
AND
Transfer credits will be evaluated, and as applicable, up to 75 credits may be applied to this program.
General Education (Curriculum 21)
46
Effective Communication
16
Requirement Notes
Requirement Notes:
Effective communication courses provide a foundation in writing and speaking necessary for success in college and beyond. The requirement consists of four courses from three areas.
Written Communication
4
Requirement Notes
Requirement Notes:
Critical Reading and Writing (ENGL 185) is a four credit-hour course providing an intensive introduction to skills essential to good writing: critical reading, framing arguments for different audiences, mechanics, style, and research. All students must successfully complete ENGL 185. The course is taken in the student's first year. A student who does not complete successfully ENGL 185 must repeat ENGL 185 during its next offering.
Earn 4 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
Oral Communication
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Category:
Communication in Context
3
Requirement Notes
Requirement Notes:
All students must successfully complete one approved course that explores topics and practices that introduce students to the varieties of inquiry, research, and forms of communication characteristic of a field or discipline.
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Category:
Foreign Language Communication
6
Requirement Notes
Requirement Notes:
All students must successfully complete two approved consecutive courses in a foreign language, or complete a foreign language through the intermediate level. The intermediate level is normally defined as completion of the 211 - 212 sequence or through a single accelerated course, 215. A student whose native language is not English may satisfy the collegiate requirement by receiving proficiency in a foreign language in consultation with the Registrar's Office.
Earn 6 credits by completing courses from the following Category:
Pillar Courses
18
Requirement Notes
Requirement Notes:
The Pillars provide exposure to broad areas of knowledge that students will encounter throughout their lives. All students must successfully complete one approved course from each of six areas.
Aesthetic Expression
3
Requirement Notes
Requirement Notes:
These courses explore art forms or texts produced by individuals, groups of people, or cultures; these courses may involve performance and production. Students will learn how formal and thematic qualities create meaning, recognize the interplay of the creative impulse and trained discipline, and attend to the ways aesthetic expression communicates complex human experiences.. From among the courses used to satisfy the Pillar requirements, all students must successfully complete at least one course designated as arts/humanities (HU), social/behavioral science (SS), natural science/mathematics (NS), and writing attentive (WA).
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Category:
Rule Notes
Rule Notes:
Student must select a course from the AE list for this Pillar
Civic Life
3
Requirement Notes
Requirement Notes:
These courses address the social, economic, and political structures that pattern how individuals engage collectively in public life at the community, national, and international levels. Students will learn to identify and analyze structures appropriate to a course's focus and assess patterns of change and development of those structures. Civic Life courses will require students to reflect on their personal engagement in civic life through classroom and/or experiential learning activities.. From among the courses used to satisfy the Pillar requirements, all students must successfully complete at least one course designated as arts/humanities (HU), social/behavioral science (SS), natural science/mathematics (NS), and writing attentive (WA).
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Category:
Rule Notes
Rule Notes:
Student must select a course from the CL list for this Pillar
Global Experiences
3
Requirement Notes
Requirement Notes:
These courses examine the interconnectedness of human communities and diversity of cultural traditions that have shaped the world in the past and present. Students will learn to observe, describe, and analyze human cultures and societies in their variety.. From among the courses used to satisfy the Pillar requirements, all students must successfully complete at least one course designated as arts/humanities (HU), social/behavioral science (SS), natural science/mathematics (NS), and writing attentive (WA).
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Category:
Rule Notes
Rule Notes:
Student must select a course from the GE list for this Pillar
The Human Condition
3
Requirement Notes
Requirement Notes:
These courses explore what it means to be human, delving into topics such as growth, development, human nature, consciousness, mortality, our lives as individuals and in relationships, belief systems, and ways of knowing. Students will reflect on aspects of the human condition through classroom and/ or experiential learning activities.. From among the courses used to satisfy the Pillar requirements, all students must successfully complete at least one course designated as arts/humanities (HU), social/behavioral science (SS), natural science/mathematics (NS), and writing attentive (WA).
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Category:
Rule Notes
Rule Notes:
Student must select a course from the HC list for this Pillar
Quantitative and Symbolic Reasoning
3
Requirement Notes
Requirement Notes:
These courses focus on solving problems within quantitative or symbolic abstract structures. Students will learn to translate real world problems into the language of these structures, perform and interpret quantitative or symbolic manipulations, employ abstract methods of analysis to develop conclusions, and create and communicate logical arguments based on this analysis.. From among the courses used to satisfy the Pillar requirements, all students must successfully complete at least one course designated as arts/humanities (HU), social/behavioral science (SS), natural science/mathematics (NS), and writing attentive (WA).
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Category:
Rule Notes
Rule Notes:
Student must select a course from the QS list for this Pillar
The Scientific Process
3
Requirement Notes
Requirement Notes:
These courses will examine the role of scientific inquiry, including how the relationships among hypotheses, theories, and predictions provide the context for making observations and drawing conclusions. Students will execute and analyze experiments, including the development of hypotheses, collection and analysis of data, and drawing of conclusions as appropriate to the discipline.
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Category:
Rule Notes
Rule Notes:
Student must select a course from the SP list for this Pillar
Cross-Area Requirements
12
Requirement Notes
Requirement Notes:
Randolph-Macon's curricular goals emphasize the college's intention to provide students with an education that encourages them to see connections and relationships among various academic disciplines. The Cross-Area requirements reinforce cross-disciplinary connections and the recognition that curricular goals are not unique to a particular discipline or a single pillar. All students must successfully complete at least one course that satisfies each of the following requirements. A single course cannot be used to satisfy more than two cross-area requirements.
Experiential Learning
3
Requirement Notes
Requirement Notes:
These courses may be a part of a student's major or may be an approved curricular project. Courses that satisfy this requirement include: a semester- or year-long study abroad program, a travel-centered course, a Bassett Internship, an approved field study, an approved directed research project, a student teaching assignment, or an approved service-learning course.
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Category:
Non-Western Culture
3
Requirement Notes
Requirement Notes:
These courses will enable students to begin developing a critical understanding of the non-western world. The scope of human endeavor encompasses a wide range of responses to a shared set of universal challenges, and the responses of western civilization exist alongside and in interaction with the traditions and institutions of other cultures.
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Category:
Diversity and Inclusion
3
Requirement Notes
Requirement Notes:
These courses address the characteristics of diverse cultures in the United States. Courses focus on the struggles for full inclusion of underrepresented populations and non-dominant cultures and/or the challenges and benefits of diversity in American institutions.
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Category:
Capstone Experience
3
Requirement Notes
Requirement Notes:
These courses must widely integrate knowledge and skills from either the student's overall program or the student's major program
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Category:
Wellness
0
Requirement Notes
Requirement Notes:
Each student must satisfactorily complete two courses in physical education at the 100 level. These courses do not affect a student's cumulative grade point average (GPA); the courses are taken for 0 hours of credit. A student physically or medically unable to participate in activity courses is encouraged to meet the physical education requirement by enrolling in PHED 104.
Complete the following
Use the following rules
Complete courses from the following Subject:
AND
Course(s) of level 100
Elementary Education Major
85
Requirement Notes
Requirement Notes:
Must gain acceptance to the Teacher Preparation Program and to Student Teaching (which requires passing state-approved assessments)
Profession of Teaching
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
Fieldwork in Profession of Teaching
1
Earn 1 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
Survey of Exceptional Children
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
Educational Psychology
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
Education Field Experiences
3
Requirement Notes
Requirement Notes:
Three 1-hr courses taken fall and spring of the junior year and fall of the senior year.
Education Field Experiences
1
Earn 1 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
Assessment in Education
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
Integrating Technology in the K-12 Classroom
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
Diversity in Education
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
Senior Seminar
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
Observation (for student teaching)
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
Student Teaching
6
Earn 6 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
Read-Language Arts Methods I
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
Read-Language Arts Methods II
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
Math Methods for Elementary Teachers
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
Science Methods for Elementary Teachers
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
Elementary Social Studies Methods
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
Science for Elementary Educators I
4
Earn 4 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
Science for Elementary Educators II
4
Earn 4 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
Principles and Methods of Elementary Education
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
Critical Reading and Writing
4
Earn 4 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
Must complete one additional course in ENGL from among:
3
Introduction to Math Modeling
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
Introduction to Statistics
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
Advanced Expository Writing
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
Introduction to Statistics
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
Writing Autobiography
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
Creative Writing
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
Creative Nonfiction
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
Children's Literature
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
Feature Writing
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
The History of the English Language
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
English Grammar
3
HIST 211 or 212
3
The United States to 1865
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
The U.S. Since 1865
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
Virginia History
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
Geographical History
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
PSCI 202 or PSCI312
3
American Government and Politics
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
State and Local Government and Politics
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
Mathematical Concepts for Elementary Educators
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
Must complete one additional course in MATH from among:
3
Introduction to Finite Math
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
Introduction to Optimization
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
Introduction to Math Modeling
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
Introduction to Statistics
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
Introduction to Statistics
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
Applicable Admissions Agreements
The table below lists admissions agreements between Randolph-Macon College and partner institutions that may guarantee admission to this program if you meet the required criteria. Click on the title name of the agreement to view a summary of those criteria.
You can view the full text of these Agreements in the Resource Center
What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?
| Transfer Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Associate Transfer Degree Completion | Students admitted under our guaranteed admissions agreement are guaranteed completion of most general education requirements. Students may need to complete additional foreign language coursework to complete the Effective Communication requirements and must complete the college's Cross-Area Requirements, most of which can be fulfilled through major programs and should not significantly increase the time to completion of degree.
|
Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School |
| Credit for Prior Learning | We accept AP (4 or 5 on the exam) and IB (5, 6, or 7 on higher level exams). |
| Did You Know That... |
|
College Level Information
Transfer Center
Transfer Admissions : Randolph-Macon College (rmc.edu)
Visit our transfer site for more information
Number of Transfer Students
120
Percent of Accepted Transfer Students
71
| College Fit Guidance | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Is This College Right For Me? | At Randolph-Macon, we recognize the breadth of knowledge and experience you bring as a transfer student. Our personalized, hands-on approach to learning lets you build on that foundation, honing the skills you'll need to excel. No matter what your future goals, we'll set you on a path to success that’s uniquely yours. |
| Transfer Student Catalog Year | Catalog year determined by first semester of attendance at RMC. |
| First Year Student Catalog Year | Catalog year determined by first semester of attendance |
| Applying for Guaranteed Admissions | GAA students must complete the RMC transfer application and submit all required materials by June 1 (for fall term) or December 1 (for spring term). GAA students will submit an Intent to Transfer form through their current community college contact to RMC. |
Where Can This Degree Transfer
This section displays degrees most closely related to this program
and to which you may be able to transfer. So, you can use this list to find the
next degree you can complete in your major. Please click the degree name to
visit that program page.
| Institution | Title | Degree | Award Name | Award Level | Delivery Mode |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wytheville Community College | Associate of Arts & Sciences Degree in Education | Associate | Associate of Arts & Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Hollins University | BA in Elementary Education | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Mountain Gateway Community College | Associate of Science Degree in Education | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online |
| Eastern Shore Community College | Early Childhood Education, AAS | Associate | Associate in Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Germanna Community College | Associate of Arts & Sciences Degree in Education | Associate | Associate of Arts and Sciences | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Germanna Community College | Associate of Arts & Sciences Degree in K-8 Education | Associate | Associate of Arts and Sciences | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Germanna Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Early Childhood Develop | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| J Sargeant Reynolds Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Early Childhood Development | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Brightpoint Community College | Associate of Science Degree in Teacher Education | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Brightpoint Community College | Associate of Science Degree in Teacher Education - Secondary Mathematics Specialization | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Brightpoint Community College | Associate of Arts Degree in Secondary Teacher Education (English/History) | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Laurel Ridge Community College | Associate of Science Degree in Education | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Laurel Ridge Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Early Childhood Development | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Northern Virginia Community College | Early Childhood Development, A.A.S. | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Northern Virginia Community College | Education, A.S. | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online |
| Paul D. Camp Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Early Childhood Development | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online |
| Paul D. Camp Community College | Associate of Arts & Sciences in Education | Associate | Associate of Arts and Sciences | 2-Year | In-Person |
| Rappahannock Community College | AA&S Degree in Arts and Sciences - Pre-Teacher Preparation Elementary (PreK-6) Specialization | Associate | Associate of Arts and Sciences | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Virginia Peninsula Community College | Associate of Science in Science/Education | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person |
| Virginia Peninsula Community College | Associate of Science in Science/Math Education | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person |
| Virginia Peninsula Community College | Associate of Science in Social Science/Education | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person |
| Tidewater Community College | Associate of Applied Science - Early Childhood Development | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person |
| Virginia Western Community College | Associate of Science Degree in Social Sciences - Education Specialization | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Wytheville Community College | Associate of Science in Education | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| James Madison University | Bachelor of Science, Major in Elementary Education | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Roanoke College | Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| University of Lynchburg | BS in Elementary Education | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Virginia Wesleyan University | Bachelor of Arts in Education Studies | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Virginia Wesleyan University | Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Virginia Wesleyan University | Bachelor of Arts in Special Education | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Mary Baldwin University | Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | Hybrid |
| George Mason University | Elementary Education, BSEd | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science in Education | 4-Year | Hybrid |
| William & Mary | Elementary Education - Bachelor of Arts in Education | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts in Education | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Old Dominion University | Elementary Education-BS | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person, Online |
| University of Mary Washington | Bachelor of Science in Elem Ed | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Marymount University | Elementary Education (PK-6) (BA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Art | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Bridgewater College | Liberal Studies Major - BA (Licensure Track) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Bridgewater College | Liberal Studies Major - BA (Non-Licensure Track) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Shenandoah University | Bachelor of Education Elementary Education | Bachelor | Bachelor of Education | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Shenandoah University | Bachelor of Education Elementary Education Special Ed K-6 | Bachelor | Bachelor of Education | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Bluefield University | BS in Elementary Education | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person, Online |
| Ferrum College | B.S. in Elementary Education | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Virginia Commonwealth University | Elementary Education and Teaching, Bachelor of Science in Education | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science in Education | 4-Year | In-Person |
Careers Where This Degree Applies
| O*Net Code | Name | Description | Parent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-1081.00 | Education Teachers, Postsecondary | Teach courses pertaining to education, such as counseling, curriculum, guidance, instruction, teacher education, and teaching English as a second language. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research. | Educational Instruction and Library Occupations |
| 25-2021.00 | Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | Teach academic and social skills to students at the elementary school level. | Educational Instruction and Library Occupations |
Cost To Complete