Program Details | Added Elementary

Curriculum

The Added Elementary endorsement program is designed for teachers who already hold an Oregon teaching license in another content area and wish to add an elementary endorsement (K–5 grade levels).
The program’s overarching goals are to ensure that every elementary teacher graduating from PSU is:

• Well-prepared to meet the diverse needs of all students
• Equipped to build and sustain meaningful connections with the communities surrounding their schools
• Ready to take action in disrupting systems of oppression that affect students and education

Students will engage in coursework focused on social-emotional learning, inclusion, and community-building in elementary classrooms. The program also includes methods-based courses in math, literacy, science, health, and social studies.

In addition to coursework, students will complete a 3-credit practicum in an elementary classroom. Most students begin the program in the summer and complete it by the following spring.

Course descriptions

For full course descriptions, please consult the Bulletin or Class Schedule.

Program format

Modality

Hybrid: This program includes in-person and online synchronous (scheduled virtual meetings) coursework. 

Part-time or Full-time

Time to completion:  two to three years

Scheduling

Evening: Classes are held primarily in the evenings via synchronous (scheduled virtual meetings) with several in-person meetings each term. Experiential learning in the second or third year requires daytime hours in the elementary (K-5) education setting.

Weekly Estimated Time Commitment

The PSU Credit Hour Policy defines 1 credit hour as requiring a minimum of 3 hours of student time per week over the course of the term. PSU operates on the quarter system, and terms last 10 weeks. 
Graduate school is a big commitment; please consider this information as a starting tool to help you gain a sense of the time commitment. Students learn differently and you may find that it takes you more time to complete the coursework on a weekly basis. Generally, a graduate program is more intensive and should require more time on homework than undergraduate courses; therefore, we recommend planning for more time than the minimum.

Students in this program generally take 7-9 credits per term and should expect to spend at least 18 hours per week outside of classroom time on homework and related activities.

At the end of the program, students engage in experiential learning through a practicum, which takes additional time to complete. Generally, the practicum requires 90 hours per term, which is approximately 10 hours per week. The added elementary practicum is recommended for the spring term, but can be taken in the fall or winter with program coordinator approval.

Program of Study

Self-paced: This program is self-paced, meaning that students can take most or all courses on their own schedule, attend full-time, part-time or change their enrollment on a term-by-term basis. Classes follow the regular PSU academic calendar structure.

All classes, including practicum, must be completed within 7 years of beginning the program.

Adding a master’s degree

Your Added Elementary endorsement coursework may be applied toward a master’s degree. Complete the following courses within seven years from the start of the program:

• 6 credits: CI 590 Project Proposal (3), CI 591 Project Implementation (3)
• 4 credits: Culture, Law & Politics (4)

Practicum overview

As part of the Added Elementary endorsement, you must complete a practicum in a self-contained elementary classroom (K-6). The minimum number of required practicum hours depends on your current teaching license area and experience. If you are already a teacher in an elementary, self-contained classroom, then you may be able to complete your practicum in your classroom.

Practicum requirements:

• 3 -4 weeks minimum. More time may be required to complete the hours.
• One full day per week in assigned classroom
  • Remaining hours may be completed in partial-day blocks. 

Before and during your practicum experience, you will plan and implement your Work Sample. The Work Sample is a summative performance assessment where you plan, teach, assess, and reflect on a small unit of 5-6 lessons.

Scheduling your practicum

Before admission to the program: If you are currently working in a school, have a conversation with your administrator about the practicum requirements in order to confirm their support of your practicum.

Upon admission to the program: Your advisor will work with you to start planning your practicum placement.

The term before your practicum:

• Request a practicum placement by completing the Practicum Request form. Practicum request deadlines:
  • May 15 For fall term practicum
  • October 15 for winter term practicum
  • January 15 for spring term practicum
• Begin planning your Work Sample.
• Attend a practicum planning meeting between you, your assigned university supervisor, your mentor teacher, and advisor to formally establish the practicum schedule.

Program Completion

NES Elementary Education Subtests I and II are required for completion of your added endorsement prior to beginning your practicum.

Once you have finished all of the added endorsement program's requirements (coursework, tests, practicum), follow all steps of the instructions for adding an endorsement.

You must complete all program requirements before beginning the instructions for adding an endorsement.

General licensure questions? Contact Licensure directly.