Academics>Majors>Four Plus One

Elementary Education -- Four Plus One:

Earn your BRE at Davis College in New York State, and your Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) in one additional year at Columbia International University

This arrangement allows students to earn the BRE degree here at Davis in four years and, in one additional year and a half, the MAT degree in Elementary Education (grades K-3 or 2-6) from Columbia International University. The MAT program at CIU leads to initial state certification in South Carolina, which is reciprocal in 36 other states, including New York and Pennsylvania, and Association of Christian Schools International Certification.

Columbia International University, located in Columbia, South Carolina, is thoroughly evangelical and regionally accredited with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The MAT program produces well qualified teachers for grades preschool through sixth in public and Christian schools in the United States and overseas.

Students who are planning to pursue the MAT should:

1. Complete a BRE degree at Davis College, majoring in Bible/Theology with any emphasis. Recommended emphases are Teaching English as a Second Language, Youth Ministries, Counseling or Christian Ministries.

2. 36 semester hours are required in the following areas, AND there is a three-hour minimum requirement in each area:

-Language Arts, Science, Social Studies, and Math

3. Graduate from Davis with a cumulative grade point average of 2.7 or higher and no grade below a C in the 36 semester hours noted above or score in the upper 50th percentile on the Graduate Record Examination.

4. Show evidence of effective use of written and oral standard English, reading comprehension, and basic math skills as measured by the PRAXIS I Test. Minimum PRAXIS I composite scores of 175 on the Reading test, 173 on the Writing test, and 172 on the Math test are required.

Program Electives

Davis distinguishes nine types of electives: Biblical/theological electives, General Education electives, Ministry electives, Fine Arts electives, Science electives, Applied Music electives, Counseling electives, Missions Electives and TESL electives. Students and their advisors should use the symbols listed in the course titles (see Our Courses) to determine which courses can be used to satisfy which electives. The Registrar with the guidance from the Curriculum Committee and the Vice President of Academic Affairs has final authority in determine which courses satisfy area electives. The following requirements govern the satisfaction of electives:

1. Courses may not be counted toward two requirements at the same time.

2. General education electives for the BRE program must encompass at least two different disciplines.

3. Students who have satisfied area electives through transfer credit should take other electives in areas that they have not already had. For example: If a student transfers in a course in the Old Testament, a New Testament or theology course should be taken to satisfy any outstanding biblical/theological elective requirements.