Teacher Education 2025

Elementary Education

What can you do with an elementary education degree?

A Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in elementary education degree from Augustana University prepares future teachers to inspire curiosity, build confidence and create meaningful learning experiences for children during their most formative years.

  • Mentors and professors with K-12 teaching experience guide future teachers to become fully-certified in South Dakota by graduation. Teacher candidates may pursue certification in other states, as well.
  • Before the culminating semester of full-time student teaching, education majors spend 100+ hours in a variety of classrooms in area school districts.
  • All programs leading to initial level licensure are accredited and approved by the South Dakota Department of Education (SD DOE).
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An Augustana University student is following in her mother's footsteps and taking a chance on AU. Nadia V. Rhodes '28 comes to the university from Jessheim, Norway, and is excited to share this place — a common bond — with her mom.

The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program provides annual support to students across the country — enabling “American students to gain proficiency in diverse languages and cultures, skills that are critically important to their academic and career development.” Maddox Sievert ‘26 and Hannah Woody ‘26 are AU’s 2024-25 recipients of the Gilman Scholarship.

Augustana understands the value and impact that historically marginalized people have on communities all over the world — recognizing that this university would not be the place it is without these students, faculty and staff. For the month of November — Native American Heritage Month — Augustana is featuring TJ Ashes ‘27.

Elementary Education Highlights

Elementary Education Career Opportunities

A Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in elementary education degree prepares graduates for rewarding careers working with children, families and communities.

Career opportunities include a(n):

  • children's education program director
  • educational program coordinator
  • elementary school teacher (grades K-6)
  • instructional coach
  • librarian
  • principal
  • reading intervention teacher
  • superintendent
  • youth development specialist

Many graduates also pursue master's degrees in education, literacy, educational leadership or specialized areas of teaching.

Hands-On Learning & Internships

In the teacher education program, campus classroom experiences are hands-on, and field experiences start from the first year — working as tutors, mentors and classroom assistants. This program’s renowned experiential learning leads to a semester of full-time student teaching, which often includes multiple placements.

Internship opportunities include:

  • Augustana’s model classroom
  • Camp counselor
  • Surrounding school districts

Education students study away in:

  • Kenya — focusing on the intersection of global food security and education with AU faculty
  • Norway — for the exceptional children and youth practicum
  • China — focusing on human relations in education with AU faculty

Courses & Organizations

Many education majors choose to earn a kindergarten endorsement or a minor in special education, athletic coaching, American Sign Language or Spanish.

Other certified teacher education paths include:

  • Special Education 
  • Secondary Education (paired with a content major) 
  • All-Grades Education (paired with a content major) 

Students may have a declared education major but must meet established program entrance and exit requirements to be considered a teacher candidate. The application to the teacher education program is completed during enrollment in EDUC 275. Students must also fill out an application of intent to student teach and complete the Praxis exam. 

Elementary education students often participate in:

  • Augustana University Education Association (AUEA)
  • Council for Exceptional Children (CEC)
  • Deaf Awareness
  • National Student Speech Language Hearing Association(NSSLHA)
  • Residence Life
  • FRIENDSLink
  • Lost & Found
  • Peer Navigator (Augie Access)