Important: This degree plan is effective for those starting this degree program in fall 2026 through summer 2027. This degree plan will remain in effect for students who do not break enrollment or who do not change degree programs, concentrations, or cognates.

As a requirement for completion of this program, including student teaching and passing required licensure tests, the graduate of this program, regardless of state residency, must obtain a VA state teaching license. The VA teaching license may then be used for reciprocity in another state according to the regulations of that state. 

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Program Courses
Initial Education Courses
EDLC 504	Educational Philosophy and Theories of Learning	3
EDLC 510	Instructional Strategies for Diverse Learners	3
EDLC 606	Tests and Measurements	3
EDLC 623	Principles of Behavior Management	3
Special Education Courses
EDSP 521	Foundations of Exceptionality	3
EDSP 524	Collaborating for Successful Inclusive Classrooms	3
EDSP 525	Transition and Assessment for Exceptional Learners 1,2	3
Professional Courses
EDLC 571	Curriculum Fundamentals	3
EDLC 632	Literacy and Language Instruction	3
Gate & Field Experience Courses
EDSP 545	Practicum in Special Education for Add-On Endorsement – Elementary 1,2	0
EDGT 501	School of Education Gate 1 – MAT Initial Licensure	0
EDGT 502	School of Education Gate 2 – MAT Initial Licensure	0
EDGT 503	School of Education Gate 3 – MAT Initial Licensure	0
EDLC 588	Initial Licensure Practicum I 1,3	0
EDLC 688	Initial Licensure Practicum II 1,4	0
Student Teaching
EDST 586	The Reflective Practitioner: Resource Seminar-Elementary	3
Choose one of the following:		3
EDST 560	Student Teaching - One Placement – Distance 1,5
EDST 561	Student Teaching - One Placement - Local 1,5
EDST 562	Student Teaching - Two Placement – Distance 1,5
EDST 563	Student Teaching - Two Placement - Local 1,5
EDST 564	Student Teaching – Own Classroom – Distance 1,5
EDST 565	Student Teaching – Own Classroom – Local 1,5
EDST 566	Student Teaching - Multiple Endorsement – One placement - Distance 1,5
EDST 567	Student Teaching - Multiple Endorsement – One placement - Local 1,5
EDST 568	Student Teaching - Multiple Endorsement - Two placement - Distance 1,5
EDST 569	Student Teaching - Multiple Endorsement – Two placement – Local 1,5
Total Hours		33

¹

Background check clearance required (EDLC 530, EDLC 554, EDLC 588, EDLC 688; EDST 560, EDST 561, EDST 562, EDST 563, EDST 564, EDST 565, EDST 566, EDST 567, EDST 568, EDST 569; EDSP 525, EDSP 545).

²

EDSP 525 must be taken in the same semester as EDSP 545 

³

EDLC 554 must be taken in the same semester as EDLC 588

⁴

EDLC 530 must be taken in the same semester as EDLC 688

⁵

Candidates will be assigned one of the following: EDST 560, EDST 561, EDST 562, EDST 563, EDST 564, EDST 565, EDST 566, EDST 567, EDST 568, or EDST 569. Course and section number will be designated during Gate 3 Application.

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Elementary Education Cognate
EDLC 530	Teaching Mathematics 1,2	3
EDLC 554	Foundations in Early Literacy Instruction 2,3	3
EDLC 634	Teaching Science in the Elementary School	3
EDLC 636	Teaching Social Studies in the Elementary School	3
Total Hours		12

¹

Background check clearance required (EDLC 530, EDLC 554, EDLC 588, EDLC 688; EDST 560, EDST 561, EDST 562, EDST 563, EDST 564, EDST 565, EDST 566, EDST 567, EDST 568, EDST 569; EDSP 525, EDSP 545).

²

EDSP 525 must be taken in the same semester as EDSP 545 

Notes

• Competencies must be met prior to student teaching. Refer to the Elementary Content Competency Chart.
• All practicum courses should be completed before student teaching, and students should not complete practicum courses during the summer semester.

All applicable prerequisites must be met

Graduation Requirements

• Complete 45 hours
• A maximum of 50% of the program hours may be transferred if approved and allowable, including credit from an earned degree from Liberty University on the same academic level
• 3.0 GPA
• No more than two grades of C may be applied to the degree (includes grades of C+ & C-)
• No grade of D or below may be applied to the degree (includes grades of D+ & D-)
• Degree must be completed within 5 years
• Submission of Degree Completion Application must be completed within the last semester of a student's anticipated graduation date

Program Offered in Online Format

Plan of Study Grid

First Year
First Semester		Hours
EDGT 501	School of Education Gate 1 – MAT Initial Licensure	0
EDGT 502	School of Education Gate 2 – MAT Initial Licensure	0
EDLC 504	Educational Philosophy and Theories of Learning	3
EDLC 510	Instructional Strategies for Diverse Learners	3
EDLC 623	Principles of Behavior Management	3
	Hours	9
Second Semester
EDLC 554	Foundations in Early Literacy Instruction 1,2	3
EDLC 588	Initial Licensure Practicum I 1,2	0
EDLC 606	Tests and Measurements	3
EDLC 632	Literacy and Language Instruction	3
	Hours	9
Second Year
Third Semester
EDSP 521	Foundations of Exceptionality	3
EDLC 634	Teaching Science in the Elementary School	3
EDLC 636	Teaching Social Studies in the Elementary School	3
	Hours	9
Fourth Semester
EDLC 530	Teaching Mathematics 1,2	3
EDLC 571	Curriculum Fundamentals	3
EDLC 688	Initial Licensure Practicum II 1,2	0
	Hours	6
Third Year
Fifth Semester
EDGT 503	School of Education Gate 3 – MAT Initial Licensure 3	0
EDSP 524	Collaborating for Successful Inclusive Classrooms	3
EDSP 525	Transition and Assessment for Exceptional Learners 1,2	3
EDSP 545	Practicum in Special Education for Add-On Endorsement – Elementary 1	0
	Hours	6
Sixth Semester
EDST 586	The Reflective Practitioner: Resource Seminar-Elementary 2	3
Student Teaching Elective 1,2,4		3
	Hours	6
	Total Hours	45

¹

Background check clearance required.

²

Course should not be taken in the summer semester.

³

Course should be taken the semester before student teaching.

⁴

Candidates will be assigned one of the following: EDST 560, EDST 561, EDST 562, EDST 563, EDST 564, EDST 565, EDST 566, EDST 567, EDST 568, or EDST 569. Course and section number will be designated during Gate 3 Application.

All applicable prerequisites must be met