Early and Elementary Education

We in the Department of Early and Elementary Education are excited to introduce you to our three accredited Bachelor of Science degrees that are accredited by the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP) and the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE). Faculty advisors work with you to develop a plan that meets your needs and that prepares you to become eligible for a teaching certificate.

BS in elementary education (grades 1-6).
BS in early childhood education (grades P-K – 3)
BS in elementary education with a dual certification in early childhood (grades P-K-6)

If you are interested in becoming an early and/or elementary educator, we encourage you to contact us and together we can develop an educational plan that meets your needs and prepares you for the teaching career you envision for yourself.

Claudia Burgess – Director of Elementary Education - 443-548-5794
Amber Meyer – Director of Elementary Education & Elementary Education with a Dual Certification in Early Childhood – 410-677-0264

Our Guarantee

In the Department of Early and Elementary Education we are committed to your success. For that reason, we guarantee you automatic acceptance into any of our three degree programs as soon as you have met all of the pre-program requirements. Let us take the stress out of not knowing if you will be admitted into one of our programs so that you can focus on your education, your educational experiences, and your academic success.

Faculty in the Department of Early and Elementary Education

The faculty in the Department of Early and Elementary Education prioritize the needs of our students. We are friendly, helpful, creative, enthusiastic, innovative, and talented. Collectively, we have many years of teaching experience in public schools, travel internationally to attend conferences and sponsor education courses, engage in relevant, educationally related research, and remain current in the integration of new technologies. We work extensively in local and regional schools, are regionally and nationally recognized as leaders in our fields, and we are the recipients of many honors and accolades. Collectively, we have achieved great things professionally while never wavering in our commitment to provide our students with hands on, engaging, thought provoking experiences in our classrooms. We are proud to be educators and excited that you want to join our worthwhile profession.

Meet the Early and Elementary Education Department faculty and staff

Our Academic Programs

Learn more about our Degree Programs:

Learn more about our minors:

Enhancements to Your Degree

Beyond earning a degree in the Department of Early and Elementary Education, you will have innumerable opportunities to engage in meaningful educational experiences that go beyond the classroom.

You might find that you want to:

Join an education related club
Become a member of Kappa Delta Pi Honor Society
Conduct research with a faculty member
Attend or present at local, regional, and/or national convergences
Attend the Riall Lecture Series to listen to nationally acclaimed speakers
Become part of educators rising
Become a Fulbright Scholar
Participate in the annual Children’s and Young Adult Literature Festival
Become a member of a Living Learning Community
Check out materials from the Ernie Bond Curriculum Resource Center
Participate in Trainings from the Eastern Shore Child Care Resource Center
Engage with children in Regional Professional Development Schools
Participate in lectures and events offered through the Institute for Public Affairs and Civic Engagement (PACE),
Join AmeriCorps
Compete in a Club Sport

And hundreds of other amazing experiences that are just too extensive to list.

Department Information

Teacher Spotlight
Scholarships and Awards
Become a Maryland Teaching Fellow and Receive Money for College

The Teaching Fellows for Maryland Scholarship is awarded to students who pledge to work as a public school or public prekindergarten teacher in Maryland upon completion of their studies in a high-needs school (as identified by MSDE), or in a grade level or content area in which there is a shortage of qualified educators.
Teacher Academy of Maryland
Community Outreach Organizations and Events
Check out these organizations and events sponsored by our education programs:
- Ernie Bond Curriculum Resource Center
- May Literacy Lab
- Riall Lecture Series: Begun in 1988, the E. Pauline Riall Lecture Series brings to the University and community outstanding national lecturers in the field of education. The series was established by the late Miss Riall, long-time principal and teacher of the former Salisbury University's Campus School. A generous bequest was provided by Miss Riall's will to fund this special program.
- Children’s and Young Adult Literature Festival

International Literacy Association (ILA) Recognition

The Elementary Education program has been recognized by the International Literacy Association (ILA) for its outstanding preparation of literacy professionals. Salisbury University is one of few that have received this recognition at the undergraduate level.

3 Programs of Study
1 Annual Riall Education Lectures
8 National NAPDS Awards

Support the Early and Elementary Education Department Today!

Early and Elementary Education Department Fund