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Interdisciplinary Liberal Studies, Elementary Education, BA

Earn your Elementary Teaching Degree in Interdisciplinary Liberal Studies at Seattle University. Gain state certification to teach, including over 700 hours of field experience.

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About this Program

Preparing Primary School Teachers with Deep and Broad Content Knowledge

Gain the foundation for certification and endorsements necessary to meet the hiring demand for qualified educators.

This elementary teaching degree integrates the expertise of the College of Education and interdisciplinary liberal studies (IDLS) in a powerful partnership for SU students.

Our elementary education specialization within the existing interdisciplinary liberal studies degree gives you the education needed to be certified to be a primary school teacher in the state of Washington.

There is a clear connection between a teacher’s content knowledge and ability to teach. We are a nationally top-ranked integrative program providing you with that knowledge.

Interdisciplinary Liberal Studies, Elementary Education Degree at a Glance

Learn how a degree in interdisciplinary liberal studies, elementary education will contribute to your career goals. Then, explore course requirements and see how impactful a Seattle University degree can be.

When you specialize in elementary education, you complete the IDLS major requirements, profession-oriented courses offered by the College of Education (EDLS courses) and prerequisite courses. The combination of IDLS, EDLS and prerequisites addresses all the competencies demanded by the Professional Educator Standards Board to be a certified elementary teacher in Washington state.

Interdisciplinary liberal studies students should be able to:

  • Demonstrate the skill of critically thinking about how disparities in power can create systemic discrimination and inequity for underrepresented groups in social, political, and economic structures. 
  • Demonstrate skills of project management, including self-directed research, imaginative problem solving, and awareness of stakeholders and audience expectations. 
  • Demonstrate interdisciplinarity, the ability to bring two or more disciplines, or areas of research, to bear on complex problems or issues of contemporary concern, expressed through written and oral communication, in a way that shows the ability to create common ground between stakeholders. 
  • Demonstrate metacognition and reflection in the spirit of Ignatian pedagogy, especially with respect to the process of education or in multidisciplinary, interdisciplinary, and transdisciplinary work. 

What You’ll Learn

Learn about the classes you’ll take as a student here.

#2

In the Nation

Best Bachelor's in Interdisciplinary Studies —Bachelors Degree Center

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#4 In the Nation

Best Integrative Studies

Explore Elementary Education

What is the interdisciplinary liberal studies major with a specialization in elementary education? Learn more about this program!

Program Designed for Your Success

Seattle University students teach Bailey Gatzert Elementary school students

Classroom Experience to Gain Skills and Confidence

The best preparation to teach includes significant experiences in classrooms. Expect more than 700 hours of supervised work in elementary classrooms. Through carefully planned time in schools, you’ll steadily increase your understanding, confidence and responsibility in classrooms.

Labor of Love, Seattle University students

Community Engagement That Makes a Difference

All interdisciplinary liberal studies majors volunteer to work with organizations for social justice as part of a unique 5-credit course—Leadership for Community Engagement. It provides you with real-world work experience and first-hand familiarity with how community organizations work. Many students choose to continue volunteering beyond the scope of the course.

Seattle University Youth Initiative summer programs at Bailey Gatzert elementary school

Experience a Clinical Internship Senior Year

Persistent, developing and accumulated field experience culminates in a clinical internship where your “course” is your elementary classroom. You work with an experienced elementary teacher and your professor as mentors to ensure your success upon graduation.

Real-World Experience for the Best Elementary Teaching Impact

IDLS is an ideal teaching degree since interdisciplinary studies is combined with community engagement, and students learn how to reflectively approach complex problems, practice perspective-taking and create common ground between stakeholders.

Through field experiences, this elementary education major includes emphasis and experience on understanding how to serve diverse and special needs students.

With a broad-based and values-focused education from the IDLS elementary education specialization program, there’s no end to the difference our graduates make in the lives of children.

Variety of Careers for Interdisciplinary Liberal Studies Majors

Interdisciplinary liberal studies alumni answer the question "What can I do with my degree?"

Examples of jobs and grad school of IDLS alumni:

  • Sara Marsicano, 4th/5th Grade Teacher, St. Paul's School, Seattle
  • Kailey Wilson, 1st Grade Teacher, Taylor/Kirklane Elementary, Palm Springs, FL
  • Hannah Billen, 2nd Grade Teacher, Enatai Elementary, Bellevue, WA
  • Paige Malm, Kindergarten Teacher, Eastgate Elementary, Eastgate, WA
  • Lacaia Sauer, Teacher, Community School of West Seattle
  • Kayce Callen, 4th Grade Teacher, Highline School District
  • Lisa Ignoffo, Associate Director of Admissions, Sacred Heart Schools, Atherton, CA
  • Courtney Gelmini, Teacher, Westwood Elementary, WA
  • Stephanie Faddis, 1st Grade Teacher, Portland Jewish Academy, after M.A. Elementary Education, Columbia University, Teachers College, NY
  • Ali Fragoso, 3rd Grade Teacher, KaleidoscopeSchool, Phoenix AZ
  • Koby Andrews-Howards, ESL Teacher, Colegio Público Príncipe Asturias in Móstoles, Madrid, Spain
  • Francesca Smythies, ELL Teacher, Korea (Songdo, Incheon).
  • Sage Alderson-Gamble, Head English Teacher, in Bavaria, Germany; previously Acting Director of Montessori School in Queen Anne, Seattle

Hear From Our Alumni

Cienne Bronson

Cienne Bronson

“I chose to pursue and IDLS major with and EDLS specialization because I want to be able to walk away with a degree that I know teaches me to solve problems creatively, lean into different disciplines effectively, and push me as a future educator to collaborate with specialists and students in whatever they are passionate about.”

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Faculty

All Faculty & Staff
  • Sven Arvidson, PhD
    Sven Arvidson, PhD

    Professor and Director, Interdisciplinary Liberal Studies
    Associate Appointment, Philosophy

  • Philip Barclift, PhD
    Philip Barclift, PhD

    Associate Professor, Interdisciplinary Liberal Studies
    Associate Appointment, Theology and Religious Studies

  • Jennifer Schulz, PhD
    Jennifer Schulz, PhD

    Teaching Professor, English
    Teaching Professor, Interdisciplinary Liberal Studies
    Associated Appointment, Psychology

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