Elon is a selective, mid-sized private university renowned as a national model for engaged and experiential learning. Students work closely with faculty who are dedicated to excellent teaching and scholarship. The curriculum is grounded in the traditional liberal arts and sciences and complemented by nationally accredited professional and graduate programs.
The Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education at Elon University prepares equity-minded leaders in the fields of education, physical activity and wellness who enhance the learning and lives of children and adults.
[What I learned at Elon] gave me an advantage over other teaching candidates when I was looking for a job, because I spent time in a classroom and learned firsthand all those important things about being a teacher, such as being adaptable and reflective.
Victoria Parrish
Bachelor’s & licensure
Teacher Education Program
36 months
Program Duration
In-person
Program Format
Pre-Test Required
Yes
Relevant Links
Program Info
The Teacher Education Program at Elon University prepares teachers to be effective practitioners who are engaged learners, ethical leaders, globally aware citizens, and advocates for equity and excellence.
Students at Elon University have reduced the cost of their program using these methods. Check with Elon University to see if you can, too!
Amount
Description
$8,250/year
Loan Forgiveness
The NC Teaching Fellows offers loan forgiveness up to $8,250 per year for four years if the graduate agrees to teach STEM or special education in a low-performing school. More information about this scholarship can be found at myapps.northcarolina.edu/ncteachingfellows/.
$1,000 to $16,500
Grants, Stipends, Scholarships
In addition to the Teaching Fellows and NC Teaching Fellows programs, numerous additional sources of scholarships and other financial support are available to students in the School of Education each year, ranging from $1,000 to $16,500.
Biology (9-12) Elementary Education (K-6) English (9-12) English as a Second Language (K-12) History (9-12) Language Arts, Middle Grades (6-9) Math (9-12) Math, Middle Grades (6-12) Music (K-12) Science (9-12) Science, Middle Grades (6-9) Social Studies (9-12) Social Studies, Middle Grades (6-9) Spanish (K-12) Special Education: General Curriculum (K-12)
Program Semesters/Steps Overview
Teacher candidates spend their first year taking courses that satisfy both the Core Curriculum requirements and content focused courses for their teacher education program.
All candidates take their first Education course, either Education and Society course or Sociology of Education, depending on their certification area. An associated 30 hour integrated field experience in a local school enables students to analyze and interpret how some of the topics under study play out in our local community. *This experience usually occurs in the first year, but can also be taken sophomore year (must be taken to gain acceptance to the teacher education program).
Teacher candidates typically apply to the teacher education program at the end of their first year.
Teacher candidates spend their second year taking courses that satisfy both the Core Curriculum requirements and content focused courses for their certification area. Coursework required for all students focuses on Educational Technology and Educational Psychology.
If teacher candidates have not already, they apply to the teacher education program during their second year. Additionally, some candidates study abroad during their sophomore year.
Teacher candidates take 12-18 hours of content pedagogy courses during each semester of their junior year. Coursework required for all candidates focuses on Teaching Diverse Learners, Lesson Planning and Design, and Classroom Management. Some programs require 1- 2 methods courses during this year that includes a 75-90 hour practicum in a local school, which offers opportunities to apply concepts and skills related to pedagogy in their course content area.
During this year, candidates begin to study for teacher licensure exams required by the state, and also work towards University Core requirements. Many candidates study abroad during their junior year.
Most of the final year consists of student teaching and content pedagogy courses.
All candidates take 1-2 methods courses and complete a 75-90 hour practicum in a local school, which offers opportunities to apply concepts and skills related to pedagogy in their course content area. Candidates continue in this same placement for their full time student teaching experience. Additional coursework required for all candidates focus on Educational Assessment, as well as a Leadership and Collaboration capstone seminar.
Additional education courses are taken based on certification area.
Program Hallmarks
Our teacher candidates have the opportunity to partner with clinical teachers in local schools and community agencies through a variety of experiences. Elon Teacher Candidates participate in a variety of clinical experiences throughout their program in diverse school settings. Each education class has a correlated clinical experience and these experiences are continuous and build on each other. Early clinical experiences may include tutoring, observing, classroom assistance, small group instruction and informal assessment, allowing a candidate to continually connect their learning to what is experienced in the classroom. The capstone student teaching year-long experience provides Elon Teacher Candidates with extended opportunities at the beginning, middle and end of school, while working in partnership with their clinical teachers to perfect their skills and abilities as a beginning teacher.
The Teacher Education Program at Elon University prepares teachers to be effective practitioners who are engaged learners, ethical leaders, globally aware citizens, and advocates for equity and excellence. Elon Teacher Candidates are provided opportunities to become effective practitioners through coursework assessment and continued and varied clinical experiences.
The Office of Education Outreach fosters collaboration with our school partners to secure placements with experienced teachers who are designated as highly successful and willing to work with teacher education candidates in a supervisory role. Through collaboration with these school districts, our candidates are placed in a multitude of classrooms. Many of our adjunct faculty members are also highly experienced teachers. All of these teachers are trained in the supervision process and provide excellent constructive feedback to our teacher candidates.
Elon's Teacher Education Program has earned national accreditation by demonstrating excellence in the areas of content and pedagogy, clinical partnerships and practice, candidate recruitment, progression and support, program impact and quality assurance and continuous improvement from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation.
Stats
Gender
Male
Female
8%
92%
Ethnicity
American Indian or Alaskan Native
Asian
Black
Hispanic/Latino
Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander
White
Two or more races
0%
1%
4%
8%
0%
84%
3%
Get Started
Own the application process. Start a checklist to put yourself on track to becoming the best teacher you can be.
