The B.S. in Elementary Education, K-6 License program is designed for adults beginning or returning to school to teach at the elementary, K-6 level. The program is a teacher candidate-centered, standards-driven collaboration among teacher candidates, college professors, and local school district partners. In collaboration with school districts, teacher candidates will have opportunities to continually apply their new knowledge and learning in a school environment. Students/Teacher Candidates in the program will complete the coursework required to apply for a Minnesota Tier 3 elementary, K-6 teaching license. 

Fieldwork and Licensing Requirements

The Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB) requires all approved elementary education programs to include coursework meeting state standards in two categories: Standards of Effective Practice, and elementary content standards. These required standards are fully addressed in the program coursework. The program is developed to give elementary teachers a solid foundation in the knowledge and understanding of human development and learning processes, methods of teaching basic skills, and subject matter preparation. Additionally, PELSB requires teacher candidates to complete a minimum of 100 field placement hours before 12 weeks of student teaching. Bethel's B.S. in Elementary Education program integrates these field experiences throughout the program and the final semester includes 12 weeks of student teaching. 

If the MN Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB) changes any content standards or education standards after a student is admitted into a Bethel education program, the student is responsible to complete and pay for appropriate classes to meet the standard(s) either at Bethel or another college/university. 

Admissions Requirements

• Meet the general requirements for admission to the College of Arts, Sciences, and Education.
• Have a combined cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale.
• Have a transcript evaluation completed to determine which, if any, outstanding course requirements or needed credits must be fulfilled.

Students who have not achieved the minimum GPA, grade standards, or other assessment criteria may still apply to be considered for provisional acceptance. See Admission Categories.

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Elective credits can include credits transferred from prior degrees and institutions.