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Elementary Education - PR
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Grade Levels:
4-6
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Credits:
30
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Degree:
Master of Education
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Program Approved:
PR Council of Education
Program Description
The master’s in elementary education prepares you for teacher recertification by the Puerto Rico Department of Education. Graduates will be ready to teach grades 4-6 in public and private schools in Puerto Rico. As part of the curriculum, students will investigate best classroom practices and engage in an independent learning project. The program is approved by the Puerto Rico Council of Education.
What You Need to Start Your Elementary Education Degree
Prior valid Puerto Rico teacher certification in another area or discipline is required for admission to the Elementary Education (4-6) program. Talk to one of our graduate advisors to find out more and get started.
Cambridge College Elementary Education Master’s Degree Program Highlights
Prepare for elementary teaching careers in Puerto Rico. The degree in elementary education at Cambridge College offers a flexible, affordable graduate program option designed for adult learners.
- Career-focused learning. As part of your elementary education coursework, you’ll engage in independent projects that personalize your learning experience and prepare you for your career.
- Experienced faculty. At Cambridge College, you’ll have the opportunity to learn from experienced education professionals, who are accomplished researchers and accessible teachers dedicated to helping you succeed.
- Flexible classes. Earn your master’s degree while balancing work and family time with the help of convenient evening, weekend, and online course options designed to fit your life.
- Exceptional value. As one of the most affordable four-year private nonprofit colleges in the United States, Cambridge College is committed to making higher education more accessible and providing a greater value for students.
Elementary Education Learning Outcomes
Students learn the principles and knowledge elementary educators need, including teaching strategies for students with diverse abilities and languages in different academic areas. This includes working in collaborative learning groups and co-teaching exercises that transfer to the classroom.
Elementary Education Careers
Example Elementary Education Courses
Choose Cambridge College for your master’s degree in elementary education and benefit from classes such as:
- Assistive Technology: Modifying the Curriculum for Diverse Learners
- Classroom Management With Models of Teaching
- Teaching Science and Technology 4-6
Download the Elementary Education program sheet.
Elementary Education Scholarships and Financial Aid
You may qualify for grants, scholarships, loans, and other types of financial assistance to help pay for your master’s degree. Learn more about applying for financial aid at Cambridge College.
Many companies also offer tuition assistance programs that can help to pay for education. Find information about getting your company to help.
Related Programs at Cambridge College
If you’re still exploring degree options, you might be interested in learning more about these master’s degree programs offered at Cambridge College Puerto Rico:
Curriculum
All courses are offered in Spanish.
Courses
27
Credits
Note: EIT 712 and ELE 630R are additional requirements for teacher certification under the Puerto Rico Department of Education Teacher Certification Regulation 9375 of 2022.
Developmental Psychology
ELE 510 • 3 credit(s)
This course explores basic theories and concepts in cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development from childhood to adolescence; and the characteristics and instructional implications of moderately and severely disabling conditions. These theories are then applied to instruction, with emphasis on Piaget’s theory of cognitive development. Students explore multiple theories of intelligence and learning, and strategies for a curriculum reflecting the diverse intellectual needs of children as learners. The stages and characteristics of child development are introduced and students apply this knowledge to the classroom through the use of integrated curriculum. Participants investigate methods of systematic observations and recording of child behavior in light of child development theories, and utilize this information in their planning and implementation of instruction. Formulation of a developmentally appropriate Individual Educational Plan is required. Pre-practicum hours of directed field-based training required.
Teaching Reading and Writing Skills for Elementary Curriculum
ELE 522 • 3 credit(s)
This course develops Spanish reading and writing abilities in elementary-aged children and explores the learning environment that supports these skills. It examines current research and theories on emergent literacy, oral language, vocabulary, comprehension, and assessment. Participants discuss teaching strategies, research-based programs, literature-based instruction, and assessment tools to inform instruction, including whole language and balanced literacy approaches. The course focuses on Puerto Rico Spanish frameworks.
Assistive Technology: Modifying the Curriculum for Diverse Learners
ESP 615 • 3 credit(s)
This course examines Assistive Technology in special education, ensuring compliance with Federal regulations under IDEA. Participants will explore best practices and strategies pertaining to the development and delivery of effective AT services. Topics include considering and assessing AT needs, integrating AT into IEPs, effective team collaboration, and implementing AT for low and high-incidence disabilities. The course also covers promising practices for AT selection, creating accessible educational materials, and the impact of UDL on AT.
Teaching Numeric and Geometric Structures Elementary Curriculum
MAT 623R • 3 credit(s)
This course will provide an in-depth understanding of the fundamental mathematics concepts essential for teaching elementary grades. Emphasis will be on developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills through hands-on activities and real-world applications. The curriculum also includes the use of technology and multimedia resources to enhance the learning experience. This course will equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to deliver effective mathematics instruction meeting the Puerto Rico Department of Education's standards.
Teaching Science & Technology for Elementary Curriculum
ELE 654 • 3 credit(s)
This course will equip students with various hands-on methods for teaching elementary science. The main goal is to foster excitement for science among students by providing participants with knowledge, tools, and a desire to make learning enjoyable. The curriculum aligns with Puerto Rico Frameworks in Science and Technology, and students will learn to develop lesson plans that incorporate experimentation and design techniques. A standards-based approach will guide lesson development.
Integration of Children's Literature for Elementary Curriculum
ELE 621 • 3 credit(s)
This course introduces the best literature, including children's, young adult, adult, and contemporary, to promote lifelong learning and reading in children. It covers Puerto Rico's Spanish language arts curriculum framework and how they relate to reading instruction. Participants explore genres like fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and multicultural selections, and learn to integrate literature into math, science, social studies, and fine arts. They apply Puerto Rico's professional standards to plan, teach, and assess language arts instruction.
Teaching Social Science, History & Multicultural Elementary Curriculum
ELE 657 • 3 credit(s)
This course equips educators to teach a multicultural social studies curriculum, covering basic information in history and geography through varied teaching methods. Educators learn to research and present universal perspectives using materials aligned with the Puerto Rico Department of Education Curriculum Frameworks/Common Core Standards. The course provides foundational knowledge and principles for teaching social sciences, history, and geography in Puerto Rico.
Using Educational Technology to Improve Teaching and Learning in Physical and Virtual Environments
EIT 712 • 3 credit(s)
Through discussion and use of the latest hardware and software, participants explore computer-based multimedia and communications technologies that enhance physical and virtual classroom instruction. This course is geared for PreK-12 teachers to experiment with the tools of the classroom with an emphasis on math, science, and language arts. Software and Internet applications are explored, including best practice applications. Focus is on developing technology-based thematic units that integrate theory, practice, and standards.
Alternative Assessment: Theory and Practice
ELE 600 • 3 credit(s)
This course explores alternative assessment. It answers the questions regarding what assessment is, what it does and what it measures. Assessment types and strategies are studied along with multiple assessment uses. Students gain a thorough understanding of portfolio techniques, open ended questions and the design, use, and evaluation of performance tasks. They explore assessment procedures such as exhibition, interview, journals, observation, peer assessment, and self-evaluation. Students are encouraged to use with confidence alternative assessment strategies in the classroom as an integral component of the curriculum-instruction-assessment link.
Electives
3-9
Credits
Students who do not wish to specialize further will choose either ELE630R or only one elective from the list below, while those pursuing the subspecialization in Teaching Spanish as a Second Language will take ELE 601R, 602R, and 603R.
Classroom Management with Models of Teaching
ELE 630 • 3 credit(s)
In this course students learn the basic components of an effective inclusionary program. Participants learn strategies and techniques to fully include all students into the regular classroom. Students observe, analyze, and discuss a variety of teaching models including information processing, group investigation, social inquiry, inductive models, non-directive teaching models and problem-solving. Emphasis is on interpersonal relations, arrangement of space, management of time, working with individual students, small group and large group structures and working with content and process. The Massachusetts Frameworks and teacher licensure competencies are taught to fully support teacher/student learning and instruction techniques. Course assignments including lesson plans connect theories to classroom practice. Pre-practicum hours of directed field-based training required.
Foundations of Bilingual Education K-12
ELE 601R • 3 credit(s)
This course is based on the standards and principles of WIDA ("World-Class Instructional Design and Assessment") that guide the linguistic development related to the teaching of students with various linguistic and cultural resources. Through a diversity of literature review and language development-related research, emerging and effective instructional practices will be discussed and applied for bilingual students through various academic content. The ideological foundations, philosophic educational models, methodologies, strategies for bilingual teaching, the different approaches of bilingual education, and the impact of each of these will be presented for the student. In addition, the characteristics, design, development and measurement of bilingual education, as well as the behavioral, psycholinguistic, neurolinguistic and inclusion, identity and equity aspects will be presented. Emphasis is placed on the discussion of national and international laws, policies or other practices that may impact the present or future of bilingual education.
Teaching Spanish as a Second Language K-12
ELE 602R • 3 credit(s)
This course introduces an overview of language acquisition theories and their application to different communicative and interactive methodologies and approaches in functional, notional and grammatical content in teaching Spanish as a second language. The WIDA Spanish Development Standards, Kindergarten-Grade 12 (2013 Edition) are integrated, as well as what they are and how we use them. Techniques and strategies to develop students' four language skills according to language and learning theories, learning objectives, and roles of teachers and students are included in the course. The components of effective teaching tools, such as lesson planning, assessment practices, evaluation tools, and materials development are also incorporated. Classroom activities focus on developing oral, listening, reading, and writing skills in a variety of formal and informal contexts. Emphasis is on conversation, vocabulary, correct usage of the language, correct pronunciation and oral proficiency. The classroom experience will provide an appreciation and development of cultural awareness through various readings, media resources and authentic materials.
Sociolinguistics Fundamentals
ELE 603R • 3 credit(s)
Due to the dynamic demographics in classrooms, a systematic study of sociolinguistic theories, issues, procedures, methods and approaches of effective ways to engage, support and provide other learning opportunities for diverse student population is essential for educators whose instruction of core subjects is in Spanish. This course will provide an implementation of WIDA's Spanish language developments standards Kindergarten through Grade 12 for emergent bilinguals and multi-linguals who are learning academic content in Spanish. The instructional needs of diverse language learners are developed, as is an awareness of the appropriate effective learning environments to facilitate the adaptation of multifaceted assessments of learner competencies and promote differentiation of the core curriculum. The course is intended to engage teachers, whose instruction is in Spanish, in exploring society and culture, the relationship between the two, and the language variation within for non-native Spanish speakers in other learning environments. Participants who implement language instruction for emergent bilinguals will have an opportunity for practical experience in the implementation of instructional strategies to address the needs of the learner whose primary language is not Spanish
Senior Instructor
Adjunct Instructor
Admissions
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Admission Test:
No standardized graduate school tests required for admission into non-licensure programs.
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Admissions Office:
1-800-829-4723
- Application Form:
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Application Fee:
$50 ($100 for international students; $100 for EdD)
Program Requirements
Prior valid Puerto Rico teacher certification in another area or discipline required.
School Requirements
See Admissions Requirements for School of Education
International Students
International students need to provide supplemental documentation:
- Official demonstration of English language proficiency
- Supplemental documentation for issuance of I-20
- International transcripts, evaluated by an accepted evaluation service
Transfer Credit
Graduate program applicants, please complete the transfer credit request form if you wish to have prior course work evaluated for transfer. Learn more.
Undergraduate program applicants, once you are accepted, your official transcripts are evaluated for transfer credit.
Tuition
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Credits:
30
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Cost per credit hour:
$334
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Application Fee:
$50 ($100 for international students; $100 for EdD)
Note: Rates are as of June 2023, and are subject to change without notice. Rates apply to all students unless otherwise noted.
Financial Aid
Cambridge College offers financial aid to students in our degree programs who are enrolled at least half-time. Undergraduate students must be enrolled in at least 6 credits each term. Graduate and doctoral students must be enrolled in at least 4 credits each term. Learn more
Grants, Scholarships, and Loans
Cambridge College welcomes the opportunity to support your efforts to pay for college. Federal, state, and local resources in the form of grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study, including Cambridge College Scholarships, are available to help defray the cost of tuition. Learn more
Getting Your Company to Help
Many companies have tuition assistance programs, designed to help their employees with their professional development. Learn more
Take the Next Step Toward Your Master's Degree in Elementary Education
Take the Next Step Toward Your Master's Degree in Elementary Education
Student
Success
Marcela González Arinello
Ready to Apply?
We can help you with any aspect of the application process. Call us at 1-800-829-4723. Start your journey now!
Have Questions?
An admissions counselor will be happy to help you with any questions you may have.
- Email Admissions
- Request Information
- Call 1-800-829-4723
