Undergraduate Major
The Informal and Community-based K-6 Elementary Education program prepares students to engage in educational settings beyond the classroom, where teaching and training are an integral part of the organization. This four-year hybrid program blends online and in-person coursework and prepares graduates to use educational methods in a wide range of community, nonprofit, business, and organizational settings. The program does not lead to teacher certification. If you are interested in the program that does lead to teacher certification, you can visit here for more information.
DEGREE OPTIONS
The College of Education offers a B.S. in Informal and Community-based K-6 Elementary Education on the St. Petersburg campus.
View more information about education options on the USF Tampa campus.
Informal and Community-based K-6 Elementary Education AT USF ST. PETERSBURG
The demand for teaching and education skills outside of the classroom are very high. This degree leads to careers in education for individuals at a variety of institutions. Because the degree is broad-based and interdisciplinary, there are many job possibilities. If you know what career you’d like, you can usually cater the degree to your interests. Coursework is intentionally flexible and closely aligned with the Education major, giving students the option to explore multiple career paths.
Graduating with an Informal and Community-based K-6 Elementary Education major will give you the tools of integrating and applying systematic knowledge to helping individuals and institutions. The research component provides a valuable asset to just about every educational endeavor, as the need for assessment grows more every day. The degree will also empower you to lead within educational institutions and among children and youth for positive change.
Individuals who pursue this degree do so because:
- They seek to engage in educational contexts other than the traditional classroom.
- They use the degree as a building block for graduate studies such as a Master of Arts in Teaching or MA in Counseling.
- They are exploring the field of education but are unsure of career direction.
- They want to teach in a private school setting and do not need state certifications.
Though the program doesn’t lead to a teaching certification, it provides flexibility for students to change paths, since coursework is nearly identical to the Education (with ESOL and Reading Endorsement) bachelor’s degree.
The program also includes portfolio assessments aligned with Florida Educator Accomplished Practices (FEAPs) and ESOL Competencies.
Coursework, coupled with internships and field experiences, develop exemplary teachers and other educational personnel for roles in a diverse and changing educational landscape. Students are required to participate in three internships during their degree program, each becoming more involved and intensive, enabling students to integrate theory with teaching practice. Students in the program have conducted internships at Great Explorations Children’s Museum, the Boys and Girls Club, outdoor education programs and more.
The Informal and Community-based K-6 Elementary Education program pedagogical approach is inclusive of special and elementary education. Graduates will have the knowledge to work with students from a wide range of backgrounds and who have different needs. The St. Petersburg campus is also home to the STEM INQ lab, allowing aspiring educators and current faculty to infuse the latest in science, technology, education and math into teaching methods. The lab is rich with multidisciplinary tools, including 3D printers, AutoCAD and virtual and augmented reality to enhance experiential and inquiry-based models of learning.
This is currently a hybrid program.
potential careers
- Private or alternative education roles
- Nonprofit and community organization positions
- Corporate training or business education roles
- Museum or informal learning educator
- Youth development or service organization leader
major requirements
Always refer to the Undergraduate Catalog for degree requirements. Students will normally begin progress toward the major by taking at least one course from the major core, as these often serve as prerequisites for the electives. Students are urged to consult with the entrepreneurship advisor to create the most beneficial set of courses.
QUESTIONS?
For questions about this program, contact an Academic Advisor.