East Carolina's BS in elementary education program allows students to work closely with faculty regarded as experts in their field. A hallmark of the elementary education program at East Carolina is the prevalence of practicum experiences throughout the program. Even from the beginning of the program, students have the chance to be observing and working in classrooms throughout eastern North Carolina. Each semester, students have the opportunity to be in an elementary classroom applying the concepts and knowledge from their coursework.

The program culminates in a yearlong internship placement in a K-6 elementary classroom. In the first semester, students spend one day a week in their placement getting to know the students, teaching lessons, and collaborating with the teacher. In the second semester, students attend their internship every day and gradually pick up teaching responsibilities until they are teaching all day long. Student interns have the support of ECU faculty, the classroom teacher, and a university supervisor as they finish program requirements and prepare to enter the work force.