Elementary Education

Initial teacher licensure for elementary grades

Degree Awarded BA, BS
Credential Type Undergraduate Major
Delivery Method Hybrid | In Person
College of Study College of Education

Earn Your Degree in on-campus in La Grande, Oregon or Online at Eastern Oregon University.

Transform your passion for teaching into a rewarding career. Eastern Oregon University’s Elementary Education program combines rigorous academic preparation with hands-on, real-world classroom experience from day one. Graduate prepared to inspire diverse classrooms, lead with confidence, and make a lasting impact in your community.

  • Dual Teaching Endorsements: Graduate fully prepared for Oregon licensure with valuable endorsements in both Elementary – Multiple Subjects and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL).
  • Every-Term Classroom Experience: Put theory into practice immediately with hands-on school classroom placements during every single term of the two-year program sequence.
  • TSPC State Accredited: Fully approved and accredited by Oregon’s Teacher Standards and Practices Commission (TSPC), guaranteeing educational standards.

A Professional, Multi-Dimensional Pathway to Teaching

Eastern Oregon University’s Elementary Education program is not a passive classroom experience. Our comprehensive, two-year sequence is designed to shape ambitious candidates into classroom leaders. We pair real-world teaching tools with cohort-based peer support to build your confidence and competencies as a professional.

  • Major in Multidisciplinary Studies: Gain the broad, versatile background across subject fields necessary to teach all elementary areas effectively.
  • Major in Elementary Education: Learn state-of-the-art classroom management, lesson design, educational technologies, and diagnostic methods.
  • Concentration in ESOL: Gain specialized, highly in-demand expertise in the required English for Speakers of Other Languages concentration, equipping you to support diverse student populations.
  • Program Duration: 2-Year Cohort Sequence
  • Modality Options: On-Campus or hybrid
  • Licensure: Oregon Initial Teacher Licensure prapartion
  • Endorsements: Dual Endorsements (Elementary & ESOL)
  • Accreditation: TSPC Accredited

Core competencies

Develop and implement effective, differentiated teaching strategies to support, engage, and inspire diverse elementary school classrooms.

Gain specialized pedagogical tools to lead English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) instruction, a high-demand skill nationwide.

Apply methods directly in real-world schools through practical teaching terms, culminating in a full-time student teaching placement.

Collaborate and build strong professional connections with a tight-knit cohort of peers, dedicated faculty, and local school administrators.

Demonstrate mastery of Oregon’s rigorous educational standards, ensuring you are fully prepared for dual teaching credentials.

Synthesize knowledge across multiple academic disciplines to create robust, integrated lesson plans that foster critical thinking in children.

LEARNING OPTIONS & DELIVERY MODALITIES

In-Person (La Grande)

The Mountaineer Experience

Experience an engaging, student-centered campus community in the beautiful Grande Ronde Valley. Perfect for students seeking traditional classroom debates and face-to-face peer groups.

Highlights: • Small class sizes with personalized instructor feedback.• Direct access to campus libraries, research labs, and regional networks.• Participate in EOU’s on-campus clubs and quarterly speaker events.

Hybrid

Uncompromising Flexibility

For those seeking more flexibility, our Hybrid cohort option combines remote and onsite learning, making it accessible to students throughout Oregon.

This hybrid format allows you to balance your education with other responsibilities, providing a convenient and adaptable path to becoming an educator. With options that fit various schedules and locations, you can pursue your teaching career with the support and flexibility needed to succeed.

Maximize Your Prior Credits

Turn your previous college coursework or Associate degree into a powerful, career-accelerating bachelor’s degree at EOU.

Highlights: • Flexible transfer policy — EOU accepts up to 135 credits from other institutions. • Seamlessly integrate previous credits. • Personalized advisor support to build a fast-track completion plan. • Accelerate your timeline to save money and enter the job market sooner.

Learn from Seasoned Educators & Mentors

At Eastern Oregon University, our education faculty are much more than lecturers; they are seasoned former classroom teachers, school administrators, and active educational researchers.

They will guide you through your coursework, observe your progress, and provide individualized, constructive feedback on your lesson plans and teaching methods. Our close faculty-to-student ratio ensures that you receive direct, high-touch support and mentorship throughout your journey toward becoming a licensed teacher.

With this degree you may be interested in…

Online Master of Science in Education

Gain advanced pedagogical skills in high-demand fields and become a more effective educator. With the option of seven concentrations in career and technical education, dyslexia, English for speakers of other languages (ESOL), environmental education, literacy, special education, or trauma in educational communities, you’ll be able to specialize in an area aligned with your career goals.

Online Master of Arts in Education Leadership – Principal Licensure

Graduate ready to apply for Teacher Standards and Practices Commission (TSPC) principal licensure with Eastern Oregon University’s online Master of Arts in Education Leadership – Principal Licensure. Designed for experienced educators, this career-focused program helps you grow as a leader who strengthens teaching, builds collaborative school cultures and leads meaningful system improvement.