BACHELOR’S IN ELEMENTARY EDUCATION
Earn 300+ hours of student teaching at UHC.
Start thinking like a pro — long before graduation
Get a jumpstart on your career earlier than many other education programs. Once you begin our methods classes and Professional Laboratory Experience Program (PLEP) junior year, you’ll teach in actual classrooms.
You’ll accumulate 300+ hours of observing and teaching in classrooms across the greater New Orleans area, and be armed with the latest teaching tools and strategies spanning different types of schools, learning philosophies and curriculum styles.
Choose your path
Our undergraduate programs offer two paths to become an elementary teacher:
- A bachelor’s degree
- Or a non-master’s certification-only path, if you have a bachelor’s degree in another field.
When you’re ready to advance your career, our flexible graduate programs offer evening and online classes to fit your busy lifestyle.
Undergraduate degrees
- BS elementary education
Add-on certifications
- English as a second language
- Special education grades 1-5
- Special education grades 6-12
Graduate degrees
- MEd in educational leadership*
- MEd in teaching and learning, tracks in ESL, instructional leadership, reading specialist, religious education, special education, educational diagnostician*
- EdD in executive leadership*
Add-on certifications
- Educational diagnostician
- Educational leadership
- English as a second language
- Reading specialist
- Special education grades 1-5
- Special education grades 6-12
Alternate certifications*
Already have your bachelor’s degree and want to become a teacher? Take an alternate path. We offer non-master’s certification-only paths in elementary (grades 1-5) and secondary (grades 6-12) education.
* Flexible program with night classes for working adults.
Course highlights
Through your major courses, internships and student teaching, you’ll learn strategies to embrace your students’ different learning styles and personalities.
Explore these courses and more:
Learners with Special Needs
Grow to understand and learn how to tailor lessons for students with special needs — from learning disabilities to autism.
Residency I
Plan, implement and evaluate lessons in real classrooms. You’ll learn how to tie all subjects into one lesson — like one student’s innovative lesson on butterflies that combined history and science to explore migration patterns and metamorphosis.
Classroom Organization and Management
Conquer your greatest fear by learning proactive approaches for minimizing conflict in the classroom.
JOIN OUR LIST OF SUCCESS STORIES
Your student teaching placements will position you well for sought-after teaching jobs. Many school districts where UHC students do their residencies hire them for full-time positions.
WHERE OUR GRADS WORK
- Parochial schools
- Archdiocese of New Orleans schools
- Jefferson Parish schools
- Orleans Parish schools
- Plaquemines Parish schools
- St. Bernard Parish schools
- St. Charles Parish schools
- And more
After conquering her stage fright by student teaching at West Bank elementary schools, Jumana Al-Bassisi now commands the classroom with confidence as a third grade teacher.
100%
Of UHC education graduates passed state licensure exams (2019)
13
Average class size
100%
Of our students were hired within six months of graduating (2019)
Why UHC?
In-demand Careers
Career up with an in-demand degree, and build the confidence to use your talents to serve others.
Private-University quality
Choose a top-quality private university experience — without all the loans. Graduate with less debt than at any private college in the region.
A welcoming community
Join a campus community that feels like family. Our Catholic heritage welcomes all faiths and promotes the ideals of service to others.
Personal bonds
You’ll never be treated like Student #47 in a mega-class of 200. You’ll build close bonds with classmates, faculty and staff that drive your career forward.