Elementary Education and Early Childhood Education

Elementary Education and Early Childhood Education

Student working with elementary student in classroom
The elementary education and early childhood education major prepares you to teach children from preschool through grade 6. You will participate in practicum experiences and student teaching in both elementary schools and child development centers, including the Ruth Staples Child Development Lab on East Campus. Upon completion of the program, you will be recommended for certifications in both elementary education and early childhood.

The Nebraska Difference

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Scholarships

CEHS awards more than $200,000 annually in scholarships to incoming students.

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1-to-1 Advising

Your assigned advisor will support you with academic planning throughout your time at Nebraska.

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Career Coaching

Career coaches can help you plan for a meaningful career built upon your degree program.

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Classroom Experience

Participate in five practicum field experiences in a variety of classroom settings and grade levels.

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Program Features

Leadership Development 

Become an educational leader prepared to work with diverse learners, schools and communities. 

Professional Mentoring 

Receive professional mentoring from content area experts who will help you transform your passion into teaching expertise. 

Global Experiences 

Observe and analyze STEM instructional practices in Finnish and Estonian classrooms or take an in-depth look at the educational system in Costa Rica during faculty-led global experiences. 

Student working with elementary student in classroom

Notable Courses

Teaching Mathematics in the Elementary School (TEAC 308)

Cover the scope, content and organization of the mathematics curriculum, development, use and sources of instructional materials and teaching procedures.

Multicultural Education (TEAC 330)

Intro to historical, sociological and philosophical foundations of multicultural education. Explores and models attitudes toward diversity, cultural knowledge, curricular resources and multicultural instructional practices for diverse PK-12 populations.

Educational Program for Kindergarten Children (TEAC 410)

Study recent developments in children’s education and their bearing on the selection and guidance of appropriate activities and materials for kindergarten.

Human Development and the Family (CYAF 160)

Explore a developmental life cycle approach, studying individuals from conception to death from the perspective of how individual development is fostered within the family system.

Curriculum Planning in Early Childhood Education + Lab (CYAF 374L)

Learn best practices in early childhood education and your role in facilitating learning. Plan, implement and evaluate developmentally appropriate activities in an early childhood setting.

Reading and Writing Disabilities: Elementary Students + Practicum (SPED 415 and 415A)

Learn to assess and teach early literacy skills in small groups and 1-to-1. Apply classroom learning by tutoring children at the Schmoker Reading Center.

Huskers Do Big Things

Internships

  • Intern, Ruth Staples Child Development Lab
  • Counselor, Camp Kesem
  • Teacher, Christ Academy Preschool and Childcare
  • Intern, America Reads

Careers

  • Youth development behavior specialist, Lincoln YMCA
  • Camp program facilitator, Lincoln Children’s Museum
  • First grade teacher, Lincoln Public Schools

Graduate Schools

  • M.Ed. Special Education, Early Childhood Special Education, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
  • M.A. Teaching, Learning and Teacher Education, Elementary Teaching Specialization, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
  • M.A. Teaching, Learning and Teacher Education, Innovative Learning Technologies Specialization, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
  • Ph.D. Educational Studies, University of Nebraska–Lincoln

Have Questions? We're Here to Help

If you have questions about the Elementary Education and Early Childhood Education major or navigating the application process, contact us.

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Contact Name
Dijon DeLaPorte
Contact Title
Director of Recruitment
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