The Elementary Education Major
Advising Sheet
Students & Advisors: Please consult the Education Department website for all requirements regarding the
major, entrance and certification exams, and steps to earn teacher certification in the State of Iowa.
Step # 1: Year 1 & 2 Complete the Four 200 Level Education Courses and Pass the Praxis
Core Exam (Praxis Core codes can be found on the Education website and on page 2 of this document)
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EDU 205
EDU 215
EDU 230
EDU 240
History of Education
Educational Psychology
The Exceptional Learner
Education and Culture
*must maintain a B- average in the four 200 level courses
Step # 2: Apply for Admission to Education Department During the Sophomore Year
(Must have overall GPA of 2.5 or higher and the recommendation by a faculty member – the application can be accessed on the
Education website)
Step # 3: Fulfill the Following Education and General Education Requirements Prior to
Graduation: (the following requirements must be fulfilled by ALL education majors even if they are pursuing a BSS Degree)
Education Requirements for Certification in Iowa
Cornell B.A. Requirements
Humanities: Two Courses
One course – choose from the following: HIS 153, 154,
240, 251 or 255.
One course – choose from English, Philosophy, Religion,
Art History, Music, Theatre or Education (EDU 205
counts as one of these courses).
Mathematics: One course in math (college transcripts must
Humanities: Two courses chosen from two of the
following disciplines: English, Foreign Language, History,
Philosophy, Religion, Art History, Music, Theatre, or
Education. (EDU 205 recommended)
show evidence of a college-level math or statistics course)
Natural Science: Two courses chosen from the following:
 PHY 101, 125, 221, 223
 BIO 103, 106
Social Science: Two courses chosen from two different
disciplines: Anthropology, Economics and Business,
Education, Kinesiology, Politics, Psychology, or Sociology.
Fine Arts: One course (or the equivalent in half or quarter
credits) chosen from the disciplines of Art, English, Music,
Dance, and Theatre.
Mathematics: One course chosen from the disciplines of
Mathematics, Statistics, or Computer Science.
Natural Science: One course marked L or N chosen from
one of the following departments: Biology, Chemistry,
Computer Science, Environmental Studies, Geology,
Kinesiology, or Physics.
Social Science: One chosen from one of the following
disciplines: Anthropology, Economics and Business,
Education, Kinesiology, Politics, Psychology, or Sociology.
Foreign Language: Credit for one of the following: (1)
Arabic, French, German, Greek, Japanese, Latin, Russian,
or Spanish 103; (2) one course above 103 in the target
language if students test above 103 through an examination
administered online prior to New Student Orientation…
Fine Arts: One course (or the equivalent in half or quarter
credits) chosen from the disciplines of Art, English, Music,
Dance, and Theatre.
Interdisciplinary Thinking: one interdisciplinary
experience…
Writing Course: One course
COM 121 – Required for all Elementary Education
Majors
First-Year Seminar – does not count toward BA general
education requirements
First-Year Writing course Seminar – does not count
toward BA general education requirements
Step # 4: Elementary Education Majors Complete Six Methods Courses the Junior Year:
EDU 314 EDU 317 INT 310 INT 320 EDU 318 EDU 319 -
Methods of Elementary Mathematics
Methods of Elementary Science and Social Studies
Theoretical Foundations of Elementary School Mathematics
Interdisciplinary Theory
Methods of Elementary Language Arts and Reading
Children’s Literature
Step # 5: Student Teaching During Senior Year: Currently, students must student teach for 14
consecutive weeks
Step # 6: Take EDU 483 Education Senior Seminar upon completion of student teaching
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Typically offered blocks 5 & 8
Step # 7: Apply for Licensure with the State of Iowa. See Cindy Postler, Director of
Teacher Education. To apply for licensure, students must:
 Complete a criminal background check ($ 65)
 Pass the Praxis II Content & Pedagogy exams (fees involved)
 Complete licensure paperwork for certification ($ 85))
Praxis Core – Register for the following:
 Reading 5712 – minimum score 156
 Writing 5722 -- minimum score 162
 Mathematics 5732 – minimum score 150
Praxis II – Register for the following:
Elementary Education K-6
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Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT): K-6; Test Code 0622/5622, Minimum Score 167
Elementary Education: Content Knowledge; Test Code 0014/5014, Minimum Score 152*
More info can be found at http://www.cornellcollege.edu/education/teacher-education-specifics/praxisii.shtml