Elementary Education
Shape the future, one student at a time.
Why education matters:
Education is the foundation for all other learning. Skilled, compassionate teachers spark curiosity, build confidence, and expand opportunity — especially in the earliest, most formative years of a child’s life. As classrooms grow more complex and diverse, today’s educators must be empathetic, adaptive, and creative. Studying elementary education empowers you to meet those challenges while making a lasting difference in the lives of young learners, their families, and their communities.
How elementary education is taught at Muhlenberg:
Muhlenberg’s elementary education major offers a direct pathway to PreK–4 teacher certification and is deeply rooted in the college’s liberal arts tradition. You’ll develop the tools to teach foundational content across subjects while building the creativity, critical thinking, and cultural competence that help children thrive. Within your first year at Muhlenberg, you’ll have the opportunity to gain real-world classroom experience in varied school settings. Dedicated faculty mentors, extensive fieldwork, and the option to pursue a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) in just five years give you the advanced preparation and confidence to enter the profession ready to lead.
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The elementary education major integrates foundational coursework in history, policy studies, child development, special education, and earlychildhood education with advanced methods in literacy, mathematics, science, and social studies instruction. Students also study inclusive practices for multilingual learners and explore the historical and political landscape of American schooling. This robust preparation ensures graduates are well-versed in both theory and practice before entering their professional semester.
Students begin hands-on classroom work, typically during their first year. Field experiences span diverse school settings and multiple grade levels, allowing future teachers to apply what they learn in real time. The program culminates in a professional semester with two full-time student teaching placements, supported by faculty mentorship and reflective seminars.
Katie Bucher
Thinking about equity in schools is an important part of our coursework. It’s not just about strategies of teaching. It’s about being a critically minded educator.READ BUCHER'S STORY
Pathways to Studying Education at Muhlenberg
Muhlenberg offers several pathways for students interested in education. You can major in Elementary Education, pursue a Secondary Education minor alongside an approved academic major, or explore teaching and learning through the non-certification Elementary Studies minor.
Secondary Education Minor
Students interested in teaching at the secondary level can pair the Secondary Education minor with an approved academic major in biology, chemistry, English literatures, creative writing, French, Spanish, mathematics, physics, or history to pursue certification for grades 7–12.
Education Studies Minor
Muhlenberg’s Education Studies minor offers an interdisciplinary exploration of education, with an emphasis on critical thinking, reflective practice, and real-world application. Courses examine topics such as the politics of schooling, inclusive education, and the psychology of learning.
Valerie Weisler '20, a self-designed education advocacy major, was named a 2019 Truman Scholar and established the Validation Project to advocate for children's rights, youth empowerment, and educator support.
Powerful Outcomes
A Muhlenberg education sets you up for success. The liberal arts will hone your ability to think critically, communicate, and problem-solve, skills that are in high demand across all employment sectors.
Education News
Katelen Estrada ’29 Interns With Civic Theatre of Allentown
Estrada, a theatre and education double major, was the production stage manager for two shows and worked with middle and high school students.
Read MoreAndrew Walters ’28 Interns With Jewish Nonprofit
The Jewish studies and elementary education double major is working with Jewish Learning Venture, which is based in Jenkintown, Pennsylvania.
Read MoreJon Cohen ’25 Is Awarded Competitive NSF Research Fellowship
Cohen, a biophysical chemistry Ph.D. student at Cornell University, will receive three years of funding through the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program.
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