What to Expect from Prerequisite Classes

Sarah Wilde

McKay Student Ambassador

Special Education (Severe/Profound Disabilities Emphasis)

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Are you interested in education, but can't decide if you want to make it your major? Are you a pre-major who just can't wait to get involved in the McKay School and take education classes? You're in luck! There are plenty of classes you can take without being an education major that can give you a feel for the classroom and the programs offered by the School of Education. The following list includes prerequisites for the education major programs and other helpful classes to get you further ahead on your track to graduation from an Education Major.

Early Childhood Education

ECE 200: Foundations of Early Childhood Education

This class introduces you to the Early Childhood Education Program and the types of classroom practices you will learn. You are required to volunteer in a preschool, which gives you a feel for the field. This class is mainly taken by students interested in the Early Childhood Education major.

SFL 210: Human Development

Fulfills Social Science GE Requirement

The class covers the development of the person across the lifespan. You will become familiar with the developmental theories and learn to apply what you learn to your daily life. This class is taken by students from all across campus as a GE credit.

Elementary Education

EL ED 200: Intro to Education

This class gives you an overview of the Elementary Education major and emphasizes the importance of school for all children. This class also requires volunteer hours in the public schools, so the students get a feel for the classroom environment. This class is mainly taken by those interested in majoring in education.

SFL 210: Human Development

Fulfills Social Science GE Requirement

*This class is also required for the Early Childhood and PE Teaching majors. Check for the class description under Early Childhood Education.

Physical Education Teaching/Coaching

SFL 210: Human Development

Fulfills Social Science GE Requirement

*This class is also required for the Early Childhood and Elementary Education majors. Check for the class description under Early Childhood Education.

NDFS: Essentials of Human Nutrition

Fulfills Biological Science GE Requirement

This class covers every topic you could need to know about keeping the human body healthy. From the science of digestion to proper exercise to eating disorders, you will come away with a knowledge of how to keep yourself and others feeling great. This class is taken by students from all across campus as a GE credit.

PETE 227: Fitness for Life

In this class, students will learn the basics of fitness. They will learn the important aspects of being fit and how to influence the health of themselves and others. This class is mainly taken by students interested in majoring in PE Education.

Special Education (Both Emphases)

CPSE 203: Introduction to Special Education

This class gives you a basic overview of the major and touches on each of the 13 disability categories. You may have guest speakers come and talk about their specialty in the field to get a broader knowledge of all that is encompassed in Special Education. Volunteer hours in the public classroom are required in both Mild/Moderate and Severe settings to help you decide which emphasis you want to pursue. This class is mainly taken by those interested in majoring in Special Education.

CPSE 410: Applied Behavior Analysis in Education

This class introduces students to ABA, which is a behavioral theory commonly used in Special Education classrooms. You will learn to identify, assess, and address behaviors. This class lays the foundation for more behavior classes later in the program. This class is mainly taken by those interested in majoring in Special Education.

CPSE 480: Educational and Multicultural Issues in Special Education

Fulfills Global and Cultural Awareness GE Requirement

This class explores the idea that not all students thrive the same in the American school system due to cultural and ethnic diversities. This class also discusses stereotypes surrounding disabilities. You will discuss classroom environment and inclusivity in lesson planning and teaching. While this class is mainly taken by those interested in majoring in Special Education, other education majors have similar classes required later in their programs.

MTHED 305: Basic Concepts of Mathematics

This class teaches you to teach math. You learn to think as a child would to explore numbers and find the best way to solve math problems. Thinking like our students helps us to recognize what knowledge they already have and are bringing to the table, and where they could use extra support and guidance. This class covers the four basic mathematical functions: addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. You will go into the public school setting as a class to test theories and ideas. This class is taken by those interested in majoring in Special Education and is a required class later on in both the Elementary Education and the Early Childhood Education programs.

MTHED 306: Concepts of Mathematics

Much like MTHED 305, this class teaches you to think like your students to help you teach math on their level. This class is similar, but you do not go into the public school systems. This class covers geometry and fractions. This class is taken by those interested in majoring in Special Education and is a required class later on in the Elementary Education program.

Bonus: TESOL Minor Classes!

TESOL stands for Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. If you complete the requirements for this minor, you will graduate with an endorsement to teach ELL students! While you can't get a minor in TESOL K-12 unless you are majoring in Education, you can start taking the classes for it while you are a pre-major! Follow this link to see which of the classes you need to take to complete this minor with your specific major. (Once you follow the link, click "Courses" on the side tab to see what classes are required for your major.) These classes are only taken by those completing the minor. Note: They recommend taking the Multicultural Education class for your major before taking any TESOL classes, but it is not required.

Other Helpful Classes

The following classes are not required for any of the education majors, but are helpful and will help fulfill your GE credits! You do not have to be an education major to take these classes.

ARTED 326: Art for Elementary Teachers

Fulfills Arts GE Requirement

This class emphasizes the importance of art in the classroom. You will learn how children can express themselves through art and how you can integrate art into your classroom. You will also spend time in the public schools. This class is one of four Elementary Arts classes, and you must complete one as a part of the Elementary Education program. If you take all four classes, you will receive an Arts Endorsement for your future classroom. Getting this endorsement counts as another minor: The Arts Endorsement Minor. While this class is usually taken by education majors, it is available to students across campus as a GE credit.

WRTG 313: Writing for Educators

Fulfills Advanced Written and Oral Communication GE Requirement

This class aims to help students develop the necessary skills to research, write, and communicate effectively in an educational career. While it is not required by any of the teaching major programs, it is very applicable to the field. While it is mostly taken by those interested in majoring in education, it is available to students across campus as a GE credit.

If you ever have a logistics question about a class, follow this link and type the class code (ex. EL ED 200) into the search bar on the left side of the screen. This will give you the credit amount, when the class is generally offered, and the learning outcomes of the class.

As you can see, there are lots of education classes you can take before officially getting into your program! If you want to sign up for a class or declare your pre-major, meet with your academic advisor here. If you want a student's perspective on a class, we would be happy to meet with you! Schedule a meeting with us below. Hope to see you around the McKay School!

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HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT EDUCATION MAJORS?

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