Visit majormaps.vcu.edu for the online version with links.
Sponsored by the Office of the Provost
Major map compass icon
2018-2019

Interdisciplinary Studies

College of Humanities and Sciences

Concentration(s):
Liberal Studies for Early and Elementary Education (LSEE)
Program description
To become an elementary school teacher, students are expected to declare the liberal studies for early and elementary education major. The major is the College of Humanities and Sciences’ undergraduate part of the five-and-a-half-year Extended Teacher Preparation Program. The LSEE major requires a minimum of 120 credits within a highly structured, pre-professional program that combines with the Master of Teaching in the Extended Teacher Preparation Program in with the School of Education. Successful completion of the LSEE major results in a Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies degree, which is awarded simultaneously with the Master of Teaching.    
Career opportunities
Graduates typically work in public or private school systems, child care centers, and youth service organizations. Teaching in public schools requires certification. Be sure to explore the certification requirements in the state you want to teach in as they can differ across states. Graduates can also find work with programs such as Teach for America, Americorps, America Reads or The Literacy Lab. Learn more and explore potential career pathways at https://www.teach.org/.
Change of major requirements
Email lsee@vcu.edu to schedule an advising appointment to discuss requirements     

Bachelor-level job titles
  • Childcare Worker
  • Elementary School Teacher 
  • Kindergarten Teacher   
  • PreSchool or Child Care Center Director
  • PreSchool Teacher 
  • Recreation Worker 
  • Special Education Teacher  
  • Teacher Assistant 
Degree requirements in Bulletin

Plan of study in Bulletin
Highest level of math required
  • MATH 201 or higher
Science required
  • 3-4 additional science courses
Foreign language requirements
  • Yes
Additional tuition/fees
  • No
GPA requirements (to progress/graduate in the major)
  • 3.0
Department name:
Liberal Studies for Early and Elementary Education
Building/room location:
VCU Meeting Center; 101 N. Harrison Street
Phone:
(804) 828-0496
Email:
lsee@vcu.edu
Campus (where 75% of courses are taken):
Monroe Park

Major map compass icon
Major map

Explore
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
  • Explore “What Can I Do With This Major” to learn about employers and job titles in your field of study.
  • Complete your Handshake profile and opt-in to industry email lists to learn about opportunities.
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
  • Complete a “Gap Analysis” Strategic Plan with your academic or career advisor.
  • Practice independent living skills (such as money management, self-care, and time management).

Experience
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
  • Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor each semester to discuss course selection and registration and degree progression.
  • Enroll in TEDU 101, EDUS 301, and MATH 361.
  • Talk to your professors about research interests and strategies for success.
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
  • Attend Diversity Scholars in Research Week.
  • Get to know other VCU students from all over the world at Global Café.
  • Join a cultural organization.
  • Consider short-term, semester and year long Study Abroad opportunities.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
  • Conduct an informational interview or shadow someone in your field.
  • Using LinkedIn, connect to at least 10 people. Check out the VCU alumni page in My Network.
  • Consider who could serve as academic and professional references for future letters of recommendation.

Experience
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
  • Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor each semester to discuss course selection and registration and degree progression.
  • Complete PRAXIS Core Academic Skills Math Test and VCLA Test.
  • Enroll in upper level major courses (“e” classes).
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
  • Use your summer to gain experiences and skills related to your career goals.
  • Apply for summer internships that will build your skills in education or with your population of interest.
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
  • Talk to a career/academic advisor or a faculty member about whether graduate school or a job fits your career goals.
  • Join job listserv sites that provide access to job postings in desired fields. Revisit gap analysis assessment and continue adjusting strategic career plan with Career Services.

Experience
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
  • Create and complete a science related community-engaged research project.
  • Attend civic meetings, such as school board, neighborhood associations, city council, or state legislative sessions.
  • Consider becoming an active member of a local education association.
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
  • Learn to teach English through VCU’s TEFL certificate, an internationally-recognized credential for overseas employment.
  • Build your intercultural competence by engaging with international students on campus by becoming a conversation partner to an international student.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE

Excel
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
  • Consider applying for a year-long service opportunity after graduation through programs like VCU AmeriCorps, Literacy Lab, Peace Corps, Fulbright Student Scholars, Teach for America and City Year.
  • Attend professional conferences that offer student rates or scholarships. Enhance your networking skills and practice your “elevator speech” when presenting yourself.
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
  • Create a student organization linked to your field of study.
  • Take at least one course that links diversity to your field of study.
  • Attend OMSA Social Justice Conference.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
  • Research prospective employers and create a job or graduate school search strategy at least 8 months before graduation.
  • Have your cover letter reviewed and do a mock interview at VCU Career Services.
  • Participate in Education Job Fair and Interview Day.
Visit majormaps.vcu.edu for the online version with links.
Sponsored by the Office of the Provost
Major map compass icon
2018-2019

Interdisciplinary Studies

College of Humanities and Sciences

Concentration(s):
Liberal Studies for Early and Elementary Education (LSEE)
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
Explore Year 1
  • Explore “What Can I Do With This Major” to learn about employers and job titles in your field of study.
  • Complete your Handshake profile and opt-in to industry email lists to learn about opportunities.
  • Complete a “Gap Analysis” Strategic Plan with your academic or career advisor.
  • Practice independent living skills (such as money management, self-care, and time management).
Experience Year 2
  • Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor each semester to discuss course selection and registration and degree progression.
  • Enroll in TEDU 101, EDUS 301, and MATH 361.
  • Talk to your professors about research interests and strategies for success.
  • Attend Diversity Scholars in Research Week.
  • Get to know other VCU students from all over the world at Global Café.
  • Join a cultural organization.
  • Consider short-term, semester and year long Study Abroad opportunities.
  • Conduct an informational interview or shadow someone in your field.
  • Using LinkedIn, connect to at least 10 people. Check out the VCU alumni page in My Network.
  • Consider who could serve as academic and professional references for future letters of recommendation.
Year 3
  • Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor each semester to discuss course selection and registration and degree progression.
  • Complete PRAXIS Core Academic Skills Math Test and VCLA Test.
  • Enroll in upper level major courses (“e” classes).
  • Use your summer to gain experiences and skills related to your career goals.
  • Apply for summer internships that will build your skills in education or with your population of interest.
  • Talk to a career/academic advisor or a faculty member about whether graduate school or a job fits your career goals.
  • Join job listserv sites that provide access to job postings in desired fields. Revisit gap analysis assessment and continue adjusting strategic career plan with Career Services.
Year 4
  • Create and complete a science related community-engaged research project.
  • Attend civic meetings, such as school board, neighborhood associations, city council, or state legislative sessions.
  • Consider becoming an active member of a local education association.
  • Learn to teach English through VCU’s TEFL certificate, an internationally-recognized credential for overseas employment.
  • Build your intercultural competence by engaging with international students on campus by becoming a conversation partner to an international student.
Excel Year 5
  • Consider applying for a year-long service opportunity after graduation through programs like VCU AmeriCorps, Literacy Lab, Peace Corps, Fulbright Student Scholars, Teach for America and City Year.
  • Attend professional conferences that offer student rates or scholarships. Enhance your networking skills and practice your “elevator speech” when presenting yourself.
  • Create a student organization linked to your field of study.
  • Take at least one course that links diversity to your field of study.
  • Attend OMSA Social Justice Conference.
  • Research prospective employers and create a job or graduate school search strategy at least 8 months before graduation.
  • Have your cover letter reviewed and do a mock interview at VCU Career Services.
  • Participate in Education Job Fair and Interview Day.