Elementary Education

General Planning Tips 

  • Start early: Planning ahead allows you to study abroad while staying on track for graduation. You can complete KU Core and even some teacher education requirements abroad. 

  • Eligibility: The minimum eligibility requirements are the completion of one semester on campus and a GPA of 2.5 or higher. Identify potential recommenders early on who can speak to your academic potential as well as your ability to be successful abroad. Most applications require two recommendations.   

  • Global Culture Goal of KU Core: Any study abroad program can fulfill this requirement through co-completion of UNIV 342 (online, asynchronous, and tuition-free) during your time abroad. If you haven’t completed this goal yet, plan to do so while abroad. 
  • Other KU Core requirements: You may also complete additional Core goals by selecting courses that transfer as approved KU Core or Core 34 equivalents. Be sure to check the correct list for your catalog year. 
  • Short-term programs: Winter break, spring break, and summer programs are a great way to complete the Global Culture Goal, other KU Core requirements, or major electives and can fit in at any point during your studies. Several summer programs also offer short-term teaching experiences abroad. 
  • Semester programs: If you want to take teacher ed courses abroad, early planning with your academic advisor starting your freshman year is essential. Approved teacher education courses are available at the University of Leeds in the UK (fall or spring semester sophomore year) and at the University of Wollongong (either semester sophomore or junior year) and Macquarie University (spring of junior year) in Australia. 
  • Some requirements must be completed at KU including most Special Education (SPED) courses (based on U.S. law) and student teaching semesters. 
  • General program application deadlines (some may vary): 
    • Spring: October 1 
    • Summer: February 15 
    • Fall: March 1 

When To Go

Freshman 

  • Meet with your academic advisor during your first semester to map out a 4-year degree plan based on your study abroad timing and duration preferences. 
  • Begin researching programs by visiting the Study Abroad Info Center in 105 Lippincott Hall. 
  • Winter break, spring break, or summer of your first year are an ideal time to satisfy the Global Culture Goal or another KU Core goal abroad through a short-term program. 
  • If you're interested in studying abroad during the spring semester of your freshman year, you'll want to focus on completing KU Core and pre-professional courses. Several pre-professional teacher education requirements such as C&T 100, C&T 235, ELPS 250, and EPSY 306 are offered at University of Leeds in England and University of Wollongong and Macquarie University in Australia.  

Sophomore

  • Sophomore year is an ideal time to take some KU Core, pre-professional, and/or teacher education courses abroad.
  • Some commonly offered core courses include GEOG 104, HIST 128, PSYC 104, and ENGL 209.
  • Students wanting to take Teacher Education courses abroad may  do so during either semester at the University of Leeds in England or at the University of Wollongong in Australia. 

Junior

  • You can also take teacher education courses abroad in Australia during your junior year at the University of Wollongong (fall or spring) or at Macquarie University in the spring. 
  • There is some degree of flexibility with your course sequencing during this time. If you need an education class (C&T, ELPS, EPSY, SPED) that is not available through your study abroad program and only offered at KU during the semester you are abroad, the School of Education & Human Sciences may be able to work with you to arrange access to the course via Canvas, Teams, or Zoom.  
  • Common education courses available abroad: 
    • C&T 301, C&T 354 , EPSY 305, MEMT 341, & VAE 341

Senior

  • Not recommended for study abroad due to student teaching requirements. 

Courses and Credit

  • Education faculty have already pre-approved a number of teacher education courses abroad. To see available pre-approved courses, visit the Course Database.
  • If you want to take a class/classes that have not been pre-approved, complete the credit approval process.

Recommended Programs 

 

Programs offering Core requirements

Korea University - South Korea

  • Recommended timing: Freshman or Sophomore year (summer)
    • Sample courses: BIOL 150, ENGL 102, ECON 144, MATH 125, POLS 170, PSYC 104, SOC 104

University of Leicester - England

  • Recommended timing: Sophomore year (fall)
    • Sample courses: ENGL 209, GEOG 104, HIST 128, PSYC 104

Programs with Teacher Ed Courses

University of Leeds - England

  • Recommended timing: Sophomore year (fall or spring) 
    • Sample Fall Courses: C&T 235, C&T 301, C&T 330, C&T 344, and EPSY 480
    • Sample Spring Courses: C&T 235, C&T 330, C&T 344, ELPS 250, EPSY 305, & SPED 261

University of Wollongong - Australia

  • Recommended timing: Sophomore or junior year (fall or spring)
    • Sample Fall Courses: C&T 100, C&T 235, C&T 330, C&T 331, ELPS 250, EPSY 305, EPSY 480, MEMT 341, SPED 261, SPED 362, VAE 341
    • Sample Spring Courses: C&T 322, C&T 354, C&T 598, EPSY 305, EPSY 306, MEMT 341, VAE 341, EPSY 480

Macquarie University - Australia

  • Recommended timing: Junior year (spring)
    • Sample courses: C&T 354, ELPS 301, EPSY 305, ENGL 203/209/210

Summer Programs Offering Teaching Experience

Education Majors: A Cross-Cultural Experience in Carpi - Italy

Teaching English in Korea - South Korea

Summer Global Internships - Multiple Locations