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Elementary Endorsements

Interested in becoming a K-6th grade classroom teacher? You can add an endorsement or field of specialization in art, reading, special education, music, mathematics, and more.

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Program Overview

Interested in teaching elementary and are curious about what endorsements Dordt offers? There are a wide variety of study options available.

What You'll Learn

As an education major at Dordt, you will be prepared to teach confidently and skillfully. Your education will be broader than just classes; you’ll also get hands-on experience working in local schools and programs. Dordt education graduates are highly sought-after in the teaching world; principals and administrators tell us that they put Dordt graduate resumes at the top of the pile.

What You Can Do With An Elementary Endorsement

At Dordt, you’ll learn to teach from a biblical perspective. In a world where culture is constantly changing and challenging your faith, you’ll learn the fundamentals that will help you remain true to your faith and adapt and stay relevant in the classroom.

Choose from a variety of endorsements, which will allow you to hone in on a specialization in art, reading, special education, music, mathematics, and more.

Career Preparation

Dordt University's 2023 Career Outcome Rate was 99.4%! “This data point tells us that Dordt graduates are prepared for the careers of their choosing,” said Amy Westra, director of Career Development. “A Dordt education provides students with industry-relevant courses and connections that make a difference.”

Elementary subject area major

Completion of the Education Major: Elementary Subject Sequence along with one of the following subject area majors prepares the student for specialized subject area teaching in grades K-8 and allows the student to obtain the endorsement indicated. (The term “endorsement” and the endorsement numbers are part of the Iowa licensure code.)

Endorsement 113

Art 201, 202, 216, 370; three courses from Art 207, 208, 209, 210; three courses from Art 218, 225, 228, 230, 240; two courses from Art 302, 316, 318, 325, 328, 330, 340. (Education 350 is required as a professional methods of teaching course.)

Endorsement 144

Music 103, 103L, 104, 104L, 203, 203L, 205, 215, 222; two courses from Music 206, 207, 208; one course from Music 204, 211, 305; Music 19; six semesters of Music 09; two semesters each of Music 240 and Music 250; four large ensemble credits. (The following are required as professional methods of teaching courses: Music 312, 313, 316, 317.)

Endorsement 146

Biology 203; HHP 101, 205, 206, 207, 208, 308, 325; two courses from HHP 212-217. (Note: HHP 212-217 are half-courses.) (Education 360 is required as a professional methods of teaching course.)

Endorsement 123

French 101, 102, 201, 202, 204, 206; Linguistics 201; four semesters of French 251-258. Six credits in study abroad courses to include advanced French study are required. (Education 355 is required as a professional methods of teaching course.)

Endorsement 133

Spanish 201, 202, 204 or 206, 300, 301, 302, 304; Linguistics 201; one course from Spanish 102, 207, 341-348, 393; four semesters of Spanish 251-258. Six credits in study-abroad courses are required. (Students completing both the Spanish and ESL endorsements must take Linguistics 301 and Spanish 301L instead of Spanish 301.) (Education 355 is required as a professional methods of teaching course.)


Elementary subject area minor

Completion of the Elementary General Classroom Content Major along with one of the following subject area minors provides an additional endorsement or endorsements to teach in a specialized subject area in grades K-8. (The term “endorsement” and the endorsement numbers are part of the Iowa licensure code.)

Endorsement 113

Art 201, 202, 216; two courses from Art 207, 208, 209, 210; two courses from Art 218, 225, 228, 230, 240; one course

from Art 302, 316, 318, 325, 328, 330, 340. (Education 350 is required as a professional methods of teaching course.)

Endorsement 1001 (PreK-grade3) - including special education

Education 170, 175, 210, 315, 320, 321, 322, 326. Education 252 recommended

Endorsement 119

CORE 110; Theatre Arts 384 or Education 262; Education 155; English 321 or 322; English 306, 336; one course from English 233, 241, 301, 302, 304; one course from English 203, 205, 210, 311, 317, 318. (Education 333 is required as a professional methods of teaching course.)

Endorsement 137

Biology 203; HHP 101, 202, 205, 207, 209, 211; Sociology 225. (Education 360 is required as a professional

methods of teaching course.)

Endorsements 142 and 1421

Mathematics 108, 115, 128, 149, 152, 207; Computer Science 115; Statistics 138; 1-3 credits from mathematics courses numbered 148 or above to reach a minimum of 24 credits in mathematics. (Education 332 is required as a professional methods of teaching course.)

Teacher candidates earn middle school teaching endorsements by completing Education 202, 333, 336, 239 or 369 and at least two of the following fields of specialization. (Education 239 or 369 must be completed in a grade 5-8 classroom.)

A. ENGLISH/LANGUAGE ARTS: Endorsement 1821

English 306, 336; Education 155; one course from English 203, 317, 318; one course from CORE 110, Communication 311, 314.

B. MATHEMATICS: Endorsements 1421 and 1822

Mathematics 108, 149; one course from Mathematics 115, 203, 304; Mathematics 128 or 208; one course from Statistics 131, 132, 138.

C. SCIENCE: Endorsement 1823

One course from Chemistry 110, 111, Physics 215; one course from Biology 125, CORE 211, 212; one course from Earth Science 121, 152, 201.

D. SOCIAL STUDIES: Endorsement 1824

History 201 or 202; one course from History 212, 213, 214; Geography 151; Political Science 201

Endorsement 144

Music 103, 103L, 104, 104L, 205, 215, 222; one course from Music 206, 207, 208; one course from Music 206, 207, 208, 211, 305, 306, 318-319; four semesters of ensemble participation; Music 19; three semesters of Music 09; one semester each of Music 240 and Music 250. (The following are required as professional methods of teaching courses: Music 312, 313, 316, 317.)

Endorsement 146

Biology 203; HHP 101, 205, 206, 207, 208, 308; three credits from HHP 212-217, 325. (Education 360 is required as a professional methods of teaching course.)

Endorsement 148

Education 145, 155, 165, 175, 210, 265, 314, 320, 321; English 306. (Education 333 is required as a professional methods of teaching course.)

Endorsement 150

Three courses from CORE 221, Physics 215, 216, Chemistry 110, 122; two courses from CORE 212, Biology 122, 215; two courses from Environmental Studies 151, Astronomy 121, Earth Science 201, 202, 227. Biology 251 or Physics 305 recommended. (Education 334 is required as a professional methods of teaching course.)

Endorsement 164

Economics 202; Geography 151; History 201 or 202; one course from History 212, 213, 214; two courses from History 220-225, 230; two courses from Political Science 201, 202, 214, 312. (Education 331 is required as a professional methods of teaching course.)

Endorsement 133

Spanish 201, 202, 204 or 206, 300, 301, 302; Linguistics 201; three semesters of Spanish 251-258; one course from Spanish 304, 341-348, 393. Three credits in study-abroad courses are required. (Students completing both the Spanish and ESL endorsements must take Linguistics 301 and Spanish 301L instead of Spanish 301.) (Education 355 is required as a professional methods of teaching course.)

Endorsement 260: Instructional Strategist 1: Mild/Moderate

Education 145, 165, 210, 252, 253, 314, 317. (Education 315 is required as a professional methods of teaching course.)

Area of Specialization

Communication 180, 220; CORE 110; Education 262; Theatre Arts 102 or 384.

Note: unless indicated, a field of specialization does not provide the student with an endorsement area. A minor or major
in any academic area offered by the university fulfills the requirements for a field of specialization.

Endorsement 975: Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics

One course from Chemistry 110, 111, Physics 215; one course from Biology 125, CORE 211, 212; one course from Earth Science 121, 152, 201; Computer Science 115; Engineering 112; Mathematics 152 or five math courses to include Mathematics 108, 115, 128, 149 and Statistics 138; STEM 111, 112. (Education 353 is
required as a professional methods of teaching course.)

Ready to take the next step?

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