Reading today, leading tomorrow: find your fearless.
The Elementary Education/ Middle School Language Arts program of study prepares future teachers to work with students in elementary and middle school settings. Elementary Education majors have multiple field-based courses where you will work in classrooms in grades 1 –6 and 5 –9.
Where Bold Ideas Take Shape
The Elementary Education/Middle School Language Arts program prepares students for the classroom through coursework on campus and field work within schools. In addition, you’ll be prepared to integrate technology into your classroom as a beginning teacher.
- Be prepared and certified to teach 1st – 6th grade and to teach middle school language arts grades 5-9.
- Do your student teaching abroad in a variety of locations, including our partnership with Eagles College in Iquique, Chile.
- Gain leadership skills in numerous student organizations.
- Experience hands-on, real-world learning through multiple field experiences in classrooms as well as student teaching opportunities abroad
What Can You Do with an Elementary Education: Language Arts Degree?
Your education is just one piece to launching an extraordinary career. Once you’ve mastered the material, you still have to find the job you want, make the right connections, sell your knowledge and experience—and if all this is giving you anxiety, don’t panic. SEMO’s Career Services office is here to help you with the next step. They’ll provide the expertise and support you need, so you’re landing your dream job in no time.
Education Careers Outlook
- Early Childhood was the fourth highest teacher shortage area in Missouri in the 2019-2020 school year.
- Students secure teaching positions across the state of Missouri, in surrounding states, and beyond.
- Early Childhood graduates with add-on certification in Elementary Education find jobs as preschool, kindergarten, and elementary grade teachers in public or private schools.
- Graduates may also work in programs such as Parents as Teachers or First Steps.
- Placement rates are high for alumni with more than one teaching certification.
- First-year teachers report feeling well-prepared by Southeast Missouri State University on our annual survey of first-year teachers.
- Principals also report elementary education graduates are well-prepared as beginning teachers.