Western Washington University · Bellingham, Washington
Sociology—Elementary Education, BAEd
What Is the Study of Sociology-Elementary?
Sociologists examine topics like crime and punishment, the formation and dissolution of families, bureaucratic organizations, and conflicts between classes, generations and nations. Sociology focuses on the social organization of such topics, combining elements of both the humanities and the sciences with the social science aspects of the discipline.
This major satisfies the academic major requirement for teacher certification with an endorsement in elementary education and must be accompanied by the professional preparation program in Elementary Education offered through Woodring College of Education.
Why Should I Consider this Major?
Many students choose Sociology because they see it as a broad liberal arts base for professions such as law, education, social services and criminal justice work. Sociology provides a rich fund of knowledge that directly pertains to each of these fields.
How to Declare:
Admissions: To declare, a student must have completed the following requirements:
- Completion of at least 45 college-level credits
- Completion of at least 5 credits in Sociology with a grade of C- or better
Path 1 (Immediate Declaration):
Students with a cumulative GPA of 2.85 or higher may submit their Admissions paperwork at any time to the Sociology Department Advisor for approval and admission to the major.
Path 2 (Application Review):
Students with a cumulative GPA lower than 2.85 should submit their Admissions paperwork to the Sociology Department on or before Friday of the 2nd week of fall, winter, spring, or summer quarter. These applications will be reviewed and admission to the major will be based on a combination of overall GPA, Sociology GPA, and space available in the program. Students will receive notification regarding their admission status during the third week of classes.
Applying to the Elementary Education Professional Program
Admission to the Elementary Education Professional Program is required before a student may begin taking courses in the Professional Sequence. Requirements for consideration of an application include:
- Completion of a minimum of 45 credits (most or all GURs complete)
- Cumulative grade point average of 2.75 or higher overall or for the last 45 credits
- Acceptable WEST-B scores. This test is offered 6 times a year at various sites in the state. Visit the WEST-B website at www.west.nesinc.com for more information.
- Completion of an English composition course with grade of B- or higher
- Completed application
Meeting the above criteria makes the applicant eligible for admission, but does not guarantee admission. For further information, visit Teacher Education Admissions, Miller Hall 214, 360-650-3313 or visit the web site at www.wce.wwu.edu/admiss. See also: Elementary Education Professional Program Guide
Coursework
- One course from (no more than two may be applied to the major):
- SOC 221 - Introduction to Population Issues
- SOC 251 - Sociology of Deviant Behavior
- SOC 255 - Social Organization of Criminal Justice
- SOC 260 - The Family in Society
- SOC 268 - Gender and Society
- SOC 269 - Race and Ethnic Relations
Core Requirements
- SOC 302 - Classical Sociological Theory
- SOC 304 - Statistics for Sociology
- SOC 306 - Sociological Research Methods
- One course from:
- SOC 361 - Sociology of Education
- SOC 368 - Gender and Education
- Two courses from:
- SOC 340 - Sociology of Organizations
- SOC 361 - Sociology of Education
- SOC 364 - Social Stratification
- SOC 368 - Gender and Education
- SOC 369 - Sociology of Race and Ethnicity
- SOC 380 - Sociology of Youth
- One course from:
- SOC 461 - Advanced Sociology of Education (preferred)
- SOC 492 - Senior Thesis
- or other 400-level capstone seminar
- Electives under departmental advisement to bring the total to a minimum of 50 credits in sociology
Elementary Education Professional Program Requirements (103-104 credits)
Professional Studies Core (25 credits)
- EDUC 301 - Educational Psychology I: Development and Individual Differences
- EDUC 302 - Educational Psychology II: Motivation, Learning and Assessment
- EDUC 310 - Education, Culture, and Equity
- ELED 370 - Introduction to Teaching
- I T 344 - Basic Instructional Technology Skills
- I T 442 - Classroom Use of Instructional Technology (Elementary)
- SPED 364 - Teaching Each Student
Elementary Program — Methods, Curriculum Content, and Field Experiences (78-79 credits)
- One course from:
- ART 398 - Integrated Arts for Elementary Educators
- DNC 398 - Integrated Arts for Elementary Educators
- MUS 398 - Integrated Arts for Elementary Educators
- THTR 398 - Integrated Arts for Elementary Educators
- One course from:
- ART 380 - Art Educating the Child
- DNC 433 - Creative Movement for Educators With Lab
- MUS 361 - Music for Elementary Teachers
- THTR 350 - Theatre for Youth
- THTR 351 - Creativity Across the Curriculum
- ELED 425 - Social Studies for the Elementary School
- ELED 470 - Developing Teaching
- ELED 471 - Documenting Teaching
- ELED 480 - Literacy: Beginning Communicators
- ELED 481 - Literacy: Fluent Communicators
- ELED 491 - September Experience
- ELED 492 - Practicum: Experience in Literacy Methods
- ELED 494 - Internship - Elementary
- HLED 455 - Health Education Grades K-8
- MATH 381 - Teaching K-8 Mathematics I
- MATH 382 - Teaching K-8 Mathematics II
- MATH 383 - Teaching K-8 Mathematics III
- MATH 491 - Internship Seminar - Teaching K-8 Mathematics
- PE 345 - Physical Education for Elementary School
- SCED 480 - Science Methods and Curriculum for the Elementary School
- SCED 490 - Laboratory/Field Experience in Elementary Science
GURs:
The courses below satisfy GUR requirements and may also be used to fulfill major requirements.
- QSR: SOC 304
- SSC: SOC 221, 251, 255, 260
- BCGM: SOC 268, 269
Sample Careers
- Elementary Teacher
Department
Contact
Department Chair
Mick CunninghamAH 514360-650-4881Mick.Cunningham@wwu.edu
Department Advisor
Linda ClarkAH 513360-650-4882Linda.Clark@wwu.edu
Elementary Education Professional
Program Information
MH 300(360) 650-3336http://www.wce.wwu.edu/Depts/ELED/
Teacher Education Admissions
MH 150360-650-3313www.wce.wwu.edu/admiss
Elementary Education Professional Program Advisor and Program
Manager
Ellen KreiderMH 301D360-650-7948Ellen.Kreider@wwu.edu