An teacher sits with a mother and little girl in a classroom

Bachelor of Science in Education (B.S.Ed.)

Firelands

Inclusive PreK-5 Education

An inclusive preK-5 education degree prepares new teachers to plant and nurture seeds of lifelong learning for children at the start of their academic journey.

The inclusive preK-5 education Bachelor of Science in Education (B.S.Ed.) program at Bowling Green State University gives new teachers the tools to effectively teach all students. Graduates are in high demand for prime teaching positions, thanks to earning dual teaching licenses:

  • Primary Education licensure for preK through 5th grade
  • Intervention Specialist license for preK through 5th grade

Inclusive preK-5 education prioritizes high-quality instruction for every learner by promoting a classroom culture of access, participation and support for all – including those with disabilities and other learning differences. 

The BGSU teaching faculty share your love of learning. We’re committed to giving new elementary school teachers every tool they need to lift up the next generation of curious, confident, capable learners.

Why study inclusive preK-5 education at BGSU in Ohio?

  • A top school for education majors. BGSU has the most teacher education graduates in Ohio – and they’re paid more on average than graduates of other schools.
  • Be part of every student’s success story. We prepare future teachers to meet the needs of each and every child, with multiple pathways to meet career goals.
  • Innovative teaching tools. Tools like Mursion provide virtual simulation classrooms for instant reflective feedback.   
  • Go global. BGSU connects you to student teaching and study abroad opportunities in destinations such as England, Ireland, Spain, Austria, Poland, Thailand, China, Brazil and more.
  • Generous scholarships. The College of Education and Human Development awards future teachers over 200 scholarships totaling over $500,000.
  • Graduate with experience. PreK-5 education majors begin field experiences early in the program, racking up more than 1,000 hours by graduation. This is in addition to student teaching internships, coordinated through the Office of Educator Preparation and Partnerships.
  • Get hired fast. We host one of the largest teacher job fairs in the U.S. It is attended annually by hundreds of employers from across the country. 

BGSU is the first program in Ohio to enable students to earn two licenses and one certificate during the course of this four-year degree.

Enrichment opportunities for BGSU inclusive preK-5 education majors

BGSU early childhood education teacher graduates have a competitive edge in the job market, in part thanks to the many on-campus organizations and professional development initiatives. 

  • Early Childhood Organization (ECO). Get relevant work experience with participation in Campus Fest, STEM in the Park, Folklore and Funfest, Sibs and Kids, Literacy in the Park and more. 
  • Inclusive PreK-5 Educators (IPE). Monthly student meetings at the Firelands campus involve current events discourse and local educator insights.
  • Math Camp. The award-winning BGSU Math Camp at BGSU, affiliated with the Ohio and National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM), is recognized for its outstanding leadership, community service and civic engagement. 
  • LAMP Camp. Language Arts Motivates Pupils is a partnership between BGSU and the Juvenile Residential Center of Northwest Ohio that uses engaging language arts lessons to teach teamwork, problem-solving and social communication.
  • World Language Educators Organization. Open to all education majors dedicated to strengthening intercultural competence of K-12 students.
  • Northwest Ohio Center for Excellence in STEM Education. BGSU hosts one of seven hubs of the Ohio STEM Learning Network. 

Career - what can you do with an inclusive preK-5 education degree?

With a BGSU inclusive preK-5 education degree, graduates are qualified to teach children ages 3-11 – with and without disabilities – in a variety of education settings, including:

  • Elementary schools (public and private)
  • Daycare centers
  • Preschools
  • Community agencies

Graduates have the knowledge, skills and personal insights to successfully:

  • Create, teach and assess child-centered, constructivist learning experiences. 
  • Engage and collaborate with families, communities and other professionals to support learning and development.
  • Teach, nurture and advocate for their students.

Demand for teachers with an inclusive preK-5 education degree is likely to hold strong in the coming years, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The annual mean wage for elementary school teachers in Ohio is among the highest in the country. This is especially true for those qualified to teach students with exceptionalities. 

Career paths

  • Elementary school teacher
  • Special education teacher
  • School counselor
  • School administrator

Quick Facts from the Bureau of Labor Statistics

View Average Salaries

Curriculum

The inclusive preK-5 education program blends the best practices of elementary school education with those of special education. Learn from collaborative faculty with diverse backgrounds from special education, educational psychology and content disciplines who use evidence-based pedagogy to prepare graduates to teach the whole child.

The first two years of curriculum lay the foundation for students aspiring to be inclusive educators. After the first sophomore semester, students apply for admission to Advanced Study in Inclusive PreK-5 Education.

Many core classes include field experiences. Student teaching internships are completed senior year. 

To be recommended for an Inclusive PreK-5 Education teaching license upon graduation, BGSU requires an overall GPA of 3.0 and passing scores for all mandated Ohio Assessments for Educators (OAE) exams.

Required courses

Inclusive Early Childhood Education group at table cropped

Sample courses

  • Intentional Teaching for Young Children
  • Phonics in Inclusive PreK-5 Classrooms
  • PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports)
  • Working with Families of Young Children
  • Cultural and Linguistic Diversity in Early Childhood Education
  • Introduction to Teaching Elementary STEAM

Professional licensure

Teacher licenses are regulated by state-level agencies. Licensure applicants must meet all requirements and follow all procedures of the state agency from which licensure is sought. In Ohio, the Ohio Department of Education serves as the licensing agency. The Office of Student and Academic Service assists students with the licensure application process.

BGSU College of Education and Human Development

The Inclusive Early Childhood Education program is part of the School of Inclusive Teacher Education in the BGSU College of Education & Human Development  

Updated: 04/15/2024 11:28AM