Elementary Education BA
- Major
- BA
- In-Person
- Greeley
- Culturally and Linguistically Diverse
- Mathematics
- New Literacies
- Performing and Visual Arts
- Science
- Social Studies
- Special Education
4 Years
Program Overview
Turn your passion for working with kids into a career as an elementary school teacher. At UNC, you’ll earn licensure for grades K-6, complete extensive classroom experience and graduate ready to teach with confidence.
What you’ll do in the Elementary Education BA program:
- Learn to teach reading, writing, math, science and social studies
- Complete 900+ hours of classroom experience
- Work closely with experienced mentor teachers and faculty
- Choose from concentrations in Mathematics, New Literacies or Performing & Visual Arts
- Prepare for licensure with options to add endorsements like ESL or Special Education, or pursue a non-licensure track if you don’t plan to teach immediately
- Join a program where over 95% of graduates find teaching jobs
Ready to get real classroom experience?
No matter which degree option you choose, you’ll get hands-on experience that sets UNC apart. You’ll spend 900 hours in actual K-6 classrooms, 100 hours more than Colorado requires. That means working directly with students under experienced mentor teachers
You won’t just be watching from the back of the room. You’ll be teaching lessons, managing classrooms, and figuring out how to reach different kids. By the time you graduate, you’ll already know what teaching actually feels like.
Ready to see your specific path? Explore concentrations below!
Each of the following minors requires 18 credit hours to complete. Explore the option that best fits your interests and career goals:
- Early Childhood Education
You’ll study child development, literacy, educational psychology and classroom technology while developing practical skills that complement any major. This minor gives you skills you can use with any major. It’s great if you want to work with children in schools or community programs.
Learn More – Early Childhood Education Minor
- Special Education
This minor complements any major or teacher licensure program, providing you with strategies for individualized instruction and universal design for learning. You’ll gain valuable skills in adaptation, collaboration, and advocacy that serve students across all abilities.
Learn More – Special Education Minor
- Elementary Education
This 18-credit minor teaches you how children learn through courses in educational psychology, reading instruction, and special education. Complements majors like psychology, social work, health sciences or communication and is perfect for anyone who wants to work with kids in schools, healthcare or community programs.
A four-year plan helps you see what it looks like to graduate with your degree in four years. See four-year plans below.
Elementary Education BA- Elementary Education Endorsement (K-6), Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Concentration
Elementary Education BA- Elementary Education Endorsement (K-6), Education New Literacies Concentration
Four-Year Plan – Elementary Education Endorsement (K-6), Education New Literacies Concentration
Elementary Education BA- Elementary Education Endorsement (K-6), Mathematics Concentration
Four-Year Plan – Elementary Education Endorsement (K-6), Mathematics Concentration
Elementary Education BA- Elementary Education Endorsement (K-6), Performing and Visual Arts Concentration
Four-Year Plan – Elementary Education Endorsement (K-6), Performing and Visual Arts Concentration
Elementary Education BA- Elementary Education Endorsement (K-6), Science Concentration
Four-Year Plan – Elementary Education Endorsement (K-6), Science Concentration
Elementary Education BA- Elementary Education Endorsement (K-6), Social Studies Concentration
Four-Year Plan – Elementary Education Endorsement (K-6), Social Studies Concentration
Elementary Education BA- Elementary Education Endorsement (K-6), Special Education Concentration
Four-Year Plan – Elementary Education Endorsement (K-6), Special Education Concentration
Elementary Education BA- Non-Licensure Educational Studies Concentration
Four-Year Plan – Non-Licensure Educational Studies Concentration
Concentrations & Licensure
As an Elementary Education major, you’ll choose a concentration that fits your goals. Most lead to K-6 teacher licensure, but you can also select a non-licensure option if you plan to work in education-related fields beyond the classroom.
Focus on a core subject area to strengthen your teaching in elementary classrooms.
- Elementary Education Endorsement (K-6), Mathematics Concentration
Deepen your understanding of math concepts and gain strategies to help young learners build confidence in problem-solving.
Learn More – Mathematics Concentration
- Elementary Education Endorsement (K-6), Science Concentration
Explore life, earth and physical sciences while learning to design hands-on, inquiry-based lessons for the elementary classroom.
Learn More – Science Concentration
- Elementary Education Endorsement (K-6), Social Studies Concentration
Gain the knowledge and tools to teach history, civics, and geography in ways that help young students connect past and present to their own lives.
Learn More – Social Studies Concentration
- Elementary Education Endorsement (K-6), Education New Literacies Concentration
Focus on reading, writing, and digital literacies, and learn strategies to support literacy growth across all content areas.
Learn More – Education New Literacies Concentration
- Elementary Education Endorsement (K-6), Performing and Visual Arts Concentration
Learn how to integrate art, music and performance into teaching to support creativity and whole-child development.
Develop expertise in specialized instructional areas to meet the needs of diverse learners.
- Elementary Education Endorsement (K-6), Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Concentration
Prepare to teach English language learners by building expertise in second-language acquisition, cultural responsiveness, and inclusive teaching practices.
Learn More – Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Concentration
- Elementary Education Endorsement (K-6), Special Education Concentration
Learn how to support students with diverse learning needs through coursework in exceptionalities, individualized instruction, and inclusive classroom strategies.
- Elementary Education BA, Non-Licensure Educational Studies Concentration
Gain a strong foundation in education theory and practice without pursuing licensure. This concentration is ideal if you plan to work in youth programs, nonprofits or education-related fields outside the classroom.
Learn More – Non-Licensure Educational Studies Concentration
Elementary Education at UNC
Many Ways to Specialize
Focus on areas like Mathematics or Special Education - plus five other concentrations to match your career goals. Or pursue the non-licensure option.
900+ Hours in the Classroom
Gain more than 900 hours of hands-on classroom experience. You’ll graduate ready to lead your own class.
Make a Statewide Impact
More than half of Colorado’s teachers are UNC alumni. You’ll join a powerful network making a difference in schools and communities.
What is Licensure?
A teaching license is Colorado’s way of certifying you’re qualified to teach. It shows you’ve completed the required coursework, passed state exams and gained classroom experience. Think of it like a driver’s license, but for teaching.
Our Elementary Education program includes everything you need for K-6 licensure with multiple concentrations to choose from that let you specialize as an educator. When you graduate, you’ll be ready to apply for your Colorado Initial Teacher License and start your teaching career.
If you have questions about Licensure, email Licensure@unco.edu
Get Involved Beyond the Classroom
Future Teacher Club
Join a student-run community that offers resources, professional development and networking for future educators. The club hosts workshops, creates opportunities to connect with peers and supports an inclusive group of students passionate about teaching.
To get involved, please reach out to us on Instagram @unco_futureteacherclub or email our Director of Communication, kope4409@bears.unco.edu.
Have Questions? We’re Here to Help!
Teacher Education
First initiated as a teacher’s college in 1889, UNC has education in its DNA. As a student in teacher education, you’re following in the footsteps of the best teachers in Colorado, and you’ll be well-prepared to blaze your own trails nationally.
- teacher.education@unco.edu
- 970-351-2908
- McKee Hall 216