Advising and Program Requirements: Elementary Education

Advising is a journey, not a commute...

Students who declare an interest in elementary education are designated as pre-education majors (PRED). Pre-education students complete course work that satisfies the elementary education major, general education requirements, area of concentration requirements, and courses required for licensure. New, transfer, and post-baccalaureate students interested in Elementary Education are advised by professional advisors, located in Teacher Education Services on the second floor of the Phyllis J. Washington College of Education.

Applying to the Teacher Education Program in Elementary Education

Undergraduate & Transfer Students

Students must be officially admitted to The University of Montana to be eligible for admission to the Teacher Education Program. Applications are found on the Elementary Education webpage and are due September 15 for spring semester admission and February 15 for autumn semester admission.

Pre-Education students may apply to the Teacher Education Program (TEP) once they have successfully completed a college level writing course (WRIT 101 or an approved equivalent), and completed 30 college level credits with a minimum grade point average of 2.75.

After admission to the Teacher Education Program, candidates are assigned a Faculty Mentor (in addition to their academic advisor) within the Department of Teaching and Learning.

Graduate Students: Curricular Studies with Initial Teacher Licensure for K-8 Elementary Education

This program is designed for students seeking both a master's degree and elementary education licensure. The M.Ed. program requirements include a minimum of 36 graduate credits in addition to any course work necessary to complete content area requirements. Program requirements and applications can be found on the Master’s Degree Program webpage. Applicants admitted to the graduate program are assigned a faculty advisor.

Advising and Program Requirements: Secondary Licensure

Secondary licensure candidates select, declare, and complete the degree requirements for a particular major/minor. Once admitted to the Teacher Education Program, these candidates also complete the license specific requirements as specified by the state of Montana. Major/minor requirements for each teaching field are listed on the Secondary Education webpage. Transfer students, post-baccalaureate students, and graduate students should consult with the Secondary/Graduate Advisor in Teacher Education Services to receive a degree evaluation.

Secondary licensure candidates are co-advised by an advisor within their academic major and an advisor within the Department of Teaching and Learning. Of special importance to secondary licensure candidates is whether their teaching major requires an additional major/minor. Majors that require an additional major/minor are earth science, economics, geography, government, history, Latin, physics, psychology, Russian, sociology, and theater.

When selecting a teaching major or minor, students should keep in mind the value of earning licensure in multiple fields. Students with multiple qualifications significantly increase their future employment options.

Applying to the Teacher Education Program in Secondary Education

Undergraduate and Transfer Students

Students must be officially admitted to The University of Montana to be eligible for admission to the Teacher Education Program. Applications are found on the Secondary Education webpage and are due September 15 for the spring semester admission and February 15 for autumn semester admission.

Secondary education students may apply to the Teacher Education Program (TEP) once they have successfully completed a college level writing course (WRIT 101 or an approved equivalent), and completed 30 college level credits with a minimum grade point average of 2.75. 

Graduate Students: Curricular Studies with Initial Licensure for 5-12 or K-12 Secondary Education

This program is designed for students seeking both a master's degree and secondary education licensure. The M.Ed. program requirements include a minimum of 36 graduate credits in addition to any course work necessary to complete content area requirements. Program requirements and applications can be found on the Master’s Degree Program webpage. Applicants admitted to the graduate program are assigned a faculty advisor.

Book An Appointment Now Using Navigate!

Prospective, current undergraduate, and post-baccalaureate Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, and Secondary Education majors can now schedule their academic advising appointments in Navigate.

EAB Navigate is live and instructions for students to schedule an appointment with their advisor is provided here and below.

To schedule an advising appointment with your advisor via Navigate, you will click 'Schedule an Appointment' and then be prompted to make choices for the type of support you are looking for. You can click through and select from the following choices:

1. Select a Care Unit
2. Select a Service Category
3. Select a Service
4. Select a Location
5. Select a specific staff member or 'Any Staff member'
6. Choose a date and time from a list of availability. From this screen, you will also have the option to view drop-in times or send appointment requests.

After making your selections, you will see a confirmation page with the details of your appointment. You will have the option to use the 'Comments' box to leave a note for your advisor about what you are hoping to discuss in your appointment. You will also have two options for receiving a reminder about your appointment; you can opt in or out of receiving an email and/or text message. Lastly, click 'Confirm Appointment'.

Students who receive their primary or supplemental advising at Teacher Education Services can also schedule an appointment with their assigned advisor by contacting them directly. 

Contact Us

Elementary Education and Early Childhood Education
April Holder
Academic Advisor
april.holder@mso.umt.edu
406-243-6170

Secondary Education
Ray Guest
Academic Advisor
ray.guest@mso.umt.edu 
406-243-5387

Master's Programs
Eli Redeker
Academic Advisor
eli.redeker@mso.umt.edu 
406-243-4850