Learn more about UPIKE and why it is the right choice for you.
See if UPIKE is a good fit for you and take the next steps in becoming a student.
The vision for the College of Dental Medicine is to be known and respected for service, innovation, clinical excellence and interprofessional education.
We are practitioners of the healing arts defining the standard for excellence in optometric education and vision care.
Our D.O. medical school is nationally ranked and recognized for a reputation of excellence in rural medicine and family healthcare. UPIKE’s osteopathy program gives you a clear path to success in the medical field.
Explore our online undergraduate and graduate programs and learn more about earning your degree at UPIKE.
Teaching is more than a job; it is a rewarding career. UPIKE-Patton College of Education’s teacher education program will prepare you to make a difference in the lives of students and positively impact the future. If you have the dedication and passion to pursue a career in education, we can help you reach your goal. We work closely with surrounding schools and districts to design and implement a quality educator training program that will prepare you to be a successful teacher at the elementary level. As an elementary education student, you’ll benefit from a variety of field hours and clinical experiences in a real-world setting within P-12 classrooms.
UPIKE has a rich history of training educators. UPIKE’s Patton College of Education faculty members have many years of combined experience within P-12 classrooms and are committed to your success. Our undergraduate teacher education program will help you in several unique ways: Education coursework will provide you with practical, authentic teaching experiences throughout the program. Education faculty and staff will provide a supportive environment from the time you enter the program until you receive your teacher certification. Education faculty advisors will guide you throughout your program to keep you on target to graduate on time. You will engage in student teaching at many colleges and universities during one semester; however, in UPIKE’s teacher education program you will be actively engaged with local schools for an entire academic year. By the time you begin student teaching, you will be well-prepared to begin assuming classroom responsibilities. You can seamlessly transition into UPIKE’s Teacher Leader Master’s program, which offers individual attention and practical experiences to help you further your career.
EDU 411 Clinical Practice I in the Elementary School In this course, elementary education students spend 20 hours a week in an elementary classroom observing and assisting a master teacher who has the knowledge, skills and professional disposition to enable all students to learn. EDU 440 Clinical Practice II in the Elementary School Clinical II is viewed as the capstone to the elementary education program. All areas of knowledge are integrated and theory is put into practice as the pre-service teacher assumes full responsibility for the student’s learning in an elementary classroom.
After graduating, you’ll be able to demonstrate an understanding of how students learn, the instructional process, assessment, professional development, leadership and community. The undergraduate teacher preparation program at elementary level will prepare you for eligibility for Kentucky certification. With UPIKE’s focus on hands-on experience, you’ll finish the program ready to effectively teach P-12 students. Most UPIKE graduates obtain jobs within the first year following graduation and remain in education throughout their careers.
Elementary education graduates will be prepared to teach in primary through fifth grade.
Graduates work in private and public middle schools throughout Kentucky and beyond. Many recent graduates have enrolled graduate programs including UPIKE’s Teacher Leader Master’s program, a fully online program designed for practicing educators that offers personalized professional development and integrated learning opportunities.
*The Patton College of Education is state accredited with all approved programs. In addition, we are working toward national accreditation with the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).
“The elementary education program at UPIKE provided the necessary foundation for my profession. The faculty has been a continual source of support and encouragement throughout my teaching career.” SAMMY MAYNARD/TEACHER, BELFRY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL/CLASS OF 2001
“The elementary education program at UPIKE provided the necessary foundation for my profession. The faculty has been a continual source of support and encouragement throughout my teaching career.”
SAMMY MAYNARD/TEACHER, BELFRY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL/CLASS OF 2001
Data, Records, and Clinical Experience Manager(606) 218-5317LisaAsbury@upike.edu
Q: What percent of students who declare this major (including pre-education) successfully complete/are still enrolled in the program? A: 45%
Q: What percent of students complete the program within 4 years? A: 63%
Q: What percent of graduates are working/in graduate school 1 year after graduation? A: 86%
Q: What percent of graduates are employed in Kentucky 5 years after graduation? A: 55%
Q: What salary can a graduate expect to earn in Kentucky 5 years after graduation? A: $41,526
Q: What is the median loan debt for students completing this program? A: $18,173
Q: What percent of a graduate’s monthly salary will be used to repay his/her loan? A: 6.03%