Teacher Education – Primary (K-5)

The B.A. licensure in Primary Education is offered in partnership with Heidelberg University. Students will make the six-minute trip from TU to attend their education courses at Heidelberg University.

Students earn degree requirements from Tiffin University while also earning licensure requirements from Heidelberg University. This partnership offers you the strengths of two universities, with the opportunity to learn from experienced faculty from both universities.

This program will provide you with a Bachelor of Arts degree and the necessary coursework to become a licensed primary education teacher for grades K-5.

• Nationally accredited (CAEP, 2022)
• Consistent rating of “Effective,” Ohio’s highest ranking for teacher preparation programs
• Field experiences range from observation-focused experiences to full-time student teaching

The primary education program for grades K-5 focuses on the developmental needs of children at an early age. With an emphasis on nurturing, creativity, and developing the start of healthy academic habits, this program is designed with the molding of young students in mind.

The curriculum is based on contemporary research and the most current standard requirements of the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (ODEW), the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE), the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM), the National Council for Social Studies (NCSS) and the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA).

Professional Education Training

• The licensure in Primary Education program leads to state licensure within Ohio to teach grades K-5.
• Courses are taught by professionals working within the field who have earned state licensure in the area in which they teach.
• You’ll gain professional experience in the school setting – starting with your first education course.
• Field experiences and clinical hours are built into 7 out of 8 semesters of the program.

The program offers field experiences in a variety of teaching environments, including public, private and rural settings.

Clinical and field experiences are incorporated throughout all four years of the student experience. The work builds upon prior knowledge and gets more hands-on as you continue in the field. You’ll move from observing classes to building and teaching lessons within a variety of classroom settings, using knowledge gained from your content and education coursework.

Within your program, you’ll build a strong foundation of knowledge, making connections between theory and practice. You’ll gain insights into student development (psychology/sociology) and learning styles and needs. You’ll learn about assessment, accommodations, modifications, diversity and integration of technology within unit planning.

At the end of your program, you’ll carry away career-ready skills, including:

• Lesson planning
• Assessment
• Time management
• Communication
• Organization
• Classroom Management
• Collaboration
• Differentiation

Experiential learning is the essence of teaching. Without the experiences of being in the classroom observing and teaching, you would be ill prepared mentally, emotionally and academically to teach in a real-world setting.

During your program, you’ll practice lessons in your college classroom on your peers, work with peers to build unit plans and assessments and engage in discussions around scenarios to help prepare you for the classroom setting. You’ll then take what you’ve learned and teach these lessons to students in the grades K-5 setting as a classroom leader.

Bringing Knowledge to Practice

• You’ll gain professional experience in the school setting – starting with your first education course.
• Students can be placed in different school settings, such as rural, private or public schools.
• You’ll take a course focused on diversity along with a course that introduces you to challenges within the inclusion and special needs setting.
• You may volunteer to work in local schools, libraries and community education programs.
• The Education Club provides you opportunities to meet other students and participate in various activities and events.

Through the program partnership with Heidelberg University, students have the opportunity to add an Intervention Specialist Add-on to their licensure by taking the following courses: 

• EIS279 Diagnostic Intensive Instruction: 3 Credit Hours 

• EIS273 Building Positive Classroom Support Systems: 3 Credit Hours 

• EIS348 Communication, Coordination, Collaboration in Special Ed: 3 Credit Hours 

• EIS349 Supporting Improved Outcomes: 3 Credit Hours 

• EIS350 Curriculum/Instructional Methods: 3 Credit Hours 

• EDU429 Student Teaching in Special Ed: 5 Credit Hours 

Students who opt to include this add-on will be able to earn a separate Special Education licensure for K-12 in addition to their Middle Childhood grades 4-9 licensure. This additional licensure will allow students more fluidity in their career and widen their job search post-grad. 

Education is a growing field with many teachers retiring. This program will provide you with a Bachelor of Arts degree and the necessary coursework to become a licensed primary school teacher for grades K-5.

WHERE TU GRADS HAVE WORKED

• Cleveland Metropolitan School District
• Horizon Science Academy
• Ohio Virtual Academy
• Renhill Group Inc.
• Springboro Community City Schools
• Toledo Public Schools
• Vermilion Local Schools
• Warren County Educational Service Center
• Winchester Public Schools

Learn about Tiffin University’s online Master of Education programs