The purpose of the Teaching Grades PK-3 major paired with a Special Education major is designed to prepare educators to address the needs of the whole child; use relevant, research-based criteria to establish a supportive, engaging environment that fosters, learning; and use practices that meet the needs of all learners including students with disabilities. This Learner-Centered major prepares the educator in areas of Literacy, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies to teach students in grades PK-3 in a self-contained classroom or departmentalized setting.

The Teaching Grades PK-3 major, paired with Special Education Major: Teachers of Students with Cognitive Impairment or the Special Education Major: Teachers of Students with Emotional Impairment, will prepare candidates to be certified in grades PK-3 and special education K-12.

Students who would like to teach in the early elementary grades and have an interest in meeting the needs of children with disabilities would be a perfect fit for the Pk-3. Students who are certified to teach in the Pk-3 band are qualified to teach in Pre-Kindergarten classrooms all the way up to grade 3 and in special education programs grades K-12. Students interested in teaching in early childhood centers may prefer the B-K major.