Texas State University - San Marcos
Here is a personalized summary of the current course requirements and recommendations for undergraduate elementary teacher candidates at Texas State University - San Marcos, and a detailed analysis of the content covered by those requirements. This tool also offers a recommended set of courses providing the most content coverage for any candidate.
Catalog Year: 2021-2022
Texas State University - San Marcos
This tool provides individual preparation programs with a customized analysis of the courses required by the undergraduate elementary teacher preparation program and by the institution’s undergraduate general education courses to determine how well these requirements cover essential content in science. This tool also uses information about existing coursework on their campuses to provide guidance on a recommended course sequence.
This is a summary of the coverage of science content for undergraduate elementary candidates at your institution.
To determine if an elementary teacher preparation program provides adequate coverage¹ in the primary subject area of science through its own requirements or the institution’s requirements, we ask three sequential questions exploring:
- Evidence of any science coverage;
- Evidence of coverage of the three science themes; and
- Evidence coursework encompasses the nine topics of science knowledge required of elementary teachers.
Texas State University - San Marcos' Coverage
Coverage of Subject
Does the institution or teacher preparation program require elementary candidates complete any courses in science?
The institution/program recommends or requires candidates to complete at least one course classified under the broad domain known as science.
The institution/program does not require or recommend candidates to complete at least one course classified under the broad domain known as science.
Theme Coverage
Within science, there are five themes. Does the institution or teacher preparation program require or recommend courses to ensure each of the themes classified under science are covered?
The coursework required or recommended for elementary candidates at this institution covers all five themes in science: 1. Life Science, 2. Physical Science, 3. Earth and Space Science, 4. Engineering, and 5. Pedagogy.
The coursework required or recommended for of elementary candidates at this institution does not cover all five themes in science: 1. Life Science, 2. Physical Science, 3. Earth and Space Science, 4. Engineering, and 5. Pedagogy.
Topic Coverage
Within the five themes of science are nine topics common to teaching elementary students. Does this institution or preparation program require or recommend courses to ensure each of the nine topics classified under science are covered?
Elementary education candidates at this institution must complete at least one course covering each of the nine topics.
Elementary education candidates at this institution are not required to take courses covering each of the nine topics.
What are the nine topics of Science content?

References
- For these purposes, credit for “coverage” is awarded to the program whether the course is mandated through general education requirements for the institution at large or the specific requirements of the educator preparation program.
This tool illuminates:
- What course options are available to satisfy general education or teacher preparation Requirement Categories;
- What courses are required or recommended, either through general education requirements or the teacher preparation program; and
- Whether courses cover the themes and topics of science content knowledge.
The aim of this tool is to provide an understanding of which courses are most likely to yield the most coverage possible of the content critical for elementary teachers. Because candidates can often choose from a list of courses to meet a Requirement Category, this table provides insight into which of those courses will be most relevant to elementary teaching.
How are Requirements Determined?
Analysts identify both the general education and program graduation requirements found in public-facing materials.
By reviewing each Requirement Category and available course options, analysts identify courses addressing science and social studies content relevant to elementary teachers. The course analysis table indicates what themes and topics each course covers.


Texas State University - San Marcos's Content Coverage Analysis
Filter Course Options By Requirement Category
Themes: | Pedagogy | Life Science | Physical Science | Earth & Space Sciences | Engineering | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Topics (hover to see name): |
ACross-cutting Concepts |
BScientific and Engineering Practices |
CInterdependent Relationships in Ecosystems |
DInheritance and Variation of Traits |
EForces, Waves, and Energy |
FStructure and Properties of Matter |
GSpace Systems |
HEarth's Systems and Processes |
IEngineering Design |
Extensive ListInstitution offers ten or more course options to fulfill requirement. Courses shown cover at least one applicable topic. |
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BIOL 1320Modern Biology I, Molecules, Cells, and Physiology. |
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BIOL 1321Ecology, Evolution and Society |
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CHEM 1310Introductory Chemistry for Non-Science Majors |
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GEOL 1410Physical Geology. |
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GS 2310Life Science Concepts. |
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PHYS 1320Elementary Physics |
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PHYS 1360Development of Concepts in Physics I. |
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PHYS 1370Development of Concepts in Physics II |
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PHYS 1340Astronomy: Stars and Galaxies |
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PHYS 1365Physics for Educators |
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PHYS 1310Elementary Physics. |
Continue Reading
See the recommended course sequence for your institution.
Here NCTQ outlines (1) the set of courses providing candidates with the content most aligned with what elementary teachers need within current institution and program requirements, and (2) suggestions for courses to fill in gaps where candidates still lack coverage.
"Most Aligned" Set of Courses
-
Science Requirement 01
PHYS 1310 - Elementary Physics.
-
Science Requirement 02
PHYS 1320 - Elementary Physics
-
Science Requirement 03
GS 3310 - General Science
-
Science Requirement 04
GS 3320 - General Science
-
Science Requirement 05
CI 4355 - Science in Elementary Education
How to Improve Content Coverage
Using the “Most Aligned” Set of Courses, current course requirements can address up to 88.89% coverage of science topics.
The topics still lacking coverage include:
- Engineering Design
To improve content coverage, the institution or teacher preparation program may need to require additional courses for their candidates to achieve coverage across all topics. Our analysts identified the following courses to cover these topics:
- Engineering Design: No applicable courses found in NCTQ's analysis
Analysis of Content Covered by "Most Aligned" Set of Courses
= Course is Currently Recommended or Required by Program
Download RecommendationsThemes: | Pedagogy | Life Science | Physical Science | Earth & Space Sciences | Engineering | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Topics (hover to see name): |
ACross-cutting Concepts |
BScientific and Engineering Practices |
CInterdependent Relationships in Ecosystems |
DInheritance and Variation of Traits |
EForces, Waves, and Energy |
FStructure and Properties of Matter |
GSpace Systems |
HEarth's Systems and Processes |
IEngineering Design |
||||
GS 3310General Science |
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GS 3320General Science |
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CI 4355Science in Elementary Education |
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PHYS 1310Elementary Physics. |
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PHYS 1320Elementary Physics |
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Total Content Covered: 88.89% | |||||||||||||
If a candidate takes the above courses, this is the topic coverage they would experience overall: |
Catalog Year: 2021-2022
Texas State University - San Marcos
This tool provides individual preparation programs with a customized analysis of the courses required by the undergraduate elementary teacher preparation program and by the institution’s undergraduate general education courses to determine how well these requirements cover essential content in social studies. This tool also uses information about existing coursework on their campuses to provide guidance on a recommended course sequence.
This is a summary of the coverage of social studies¹ content for undergraduate elementary candidates at your institution.
To determine if an elementary teacher preparation program provides adequate coverage² in the primary subject area of social studies through its own requirements or the institution’s requirements, we ask three sequential questions exploring:
Texas State University - San Marcos' Coverage
Coverage of Subject
Does the institution or teacher preparation program require elementary candidates complete any courses in social studies?
The institution/program recommends or requires candidates to complete at least one course classified under the broad domain known as social studies.
The institution/program does not require or recommend candidates to complete at least one course classified under the broad domain known as social studies.
Theme Coverage
Within social studies, there are six themes. Does the institution or teacher preparation program require or recommend courses to ensure each of the themes classified under social studies are covered?
The coursework required of elementary candidates at this institution covers all six themes in social studies: 1. Civics, 2. Economics, 3. History, 4. Geography, 5. Culture & Identity, and 6. Pedagogy.
The coursework required of elementary candidates at this institution does not cover all six themes in social studies: 1. Civics, 2. Economics, 3. History, 4. Geography, 5. Culture & Identity, and 6. Pedagogy.
Topic Coverage
Within the six themes of social studies are thirteen topics common to teaching elementary students. Does this institution or preparation program require or recommend courses to ensure each of the thirteen topics classified under social studies are covered?
Elementary education candidates at this institution must complete at least one course covering each of the thirteen topics.
Elementary education candidates at this institution are not required to take courses covering each of the thirteen topics.
What are the thirteen topics of Social Studies content?
References
Continue Reading
See a detailed course analysis for your institution.
This tool illuminates:
The aim of this tool is to provide an understanding of which courses are most likely to yield the most coverage possible of the content critical for elementary teachers. Because candidates can often choose from a list of courses to meet a Requirement Category, this table provides insight into which of those courses will be most relevant to elementary teaching.
How are Requirements Categories Determined?
Analysts identify both the general education and program graduation requirements found in public-facing materials.
By reviewing each Requirement Category and available course options, analysts identify courses addressing science and social studies content relevant to elementary teachers. The course analysis table indicates what themes and topics each course covers.
View the Course Catalog
Texas State University - San Marcos's Content Coverage Analysis
Filter Course Options By Requirement Category
Identity
A
Political institutions, Participation, Rules, and Laws
B
Economic Principles and Exchange
C
The Economy
D
European Exploration and Colonization (up to 1700)
E
The American Revolution and Founding (1700s)
F
Growth and Expansion of the American Republic (up to 1900)
G
Twentieth Century and Beyond
H
Pre-Columbian and/or Ancient Civilizations
I
Twentieth Century and Beyond
J
Geographic Representations
K
Human-Environment Interactions
L
Diverse Perspectives
M
Cross-cutting Concepts
Extensive List
Institution offers ten or more course options to fulfill requirement. Courses shown cover at least one applicable topic.
Extensive List
Institution offers ten or more course options to fulfill requirement. Courses shown cover at least one applicable topic.
Extensive List
Institution offers ten or more course options to fulfill requirement. Courses shown cover at least one applicable topic.
PHYS 1370
Development of Concepts in Physics II
GS 3310
General Science
GS 3320
General Science
CI 4355
Science in Elementary Education
HIST 1310
History of the United States to 1877 (TCCN: HIST 1301)
HIST 2327
History of Mexican America to 1865 (TCCN: HIST 2327)
HIST 2381
African American History to 1877 (TCCN: HIST 2381)
HON 2306D
Witches, Whores, Murderers & Thieves: Capital Crime in Early America
HON 2306E
Early American History Through Biography
HON 2306F
Rethinking American Exceptionalism
HIST 1320
History of the United States, 1877 to Date (TCCN: HIST 1302)
BIOL 1320
Modern Biology I, Molecules, Cells, and Physiology.
BIOL 1321
Ecology, Evolution and Society
CHEM 1310
Introductory Chemistry for Non-Science Majors
GEOL 1410
Physical Geology.
GS 2310
Life Science Concepts.
PHYS 1320
Elementary Physics
PHYS 1360
Development of Concepts in Physics I.
PHYS 1370
Development of Concepts in Physics II
PHYS 1340
Astronomy: Stars and Galaxies
PHYS 1365
Physics for Educators
PHYS 1310
Elementary Physics.
BIOL 1320
Modern Biology I, Molecules, Cells, and Physiology.
BIOL 1321
Ecology, Evolution and Society
CHEM 1310
Introductory Chemistry for Non-Science Majors
GEOL 1410
Physical Geology.
GS 2310
Life Science Concepts.
PHYS 1310
Elementary Physics.
PHYS 1360
Development of Concepts in Physics I.
PHYS 1340
Astronomy: Stars and Galaxies
PHYS 1365
Physics for Educators
PHYS 1320
Elementary Physics
HIST 2328
History of Mexican America from 1865 (TCCN: HIST 2328)
HIST 2382
African American History from 1877
HON 2306A
American History Through Memoirs
HON 2306B
Baseball and the American Experience
HON 2306C
America in the 1960s: A History of Movements and Ideas
POSI 2310
Principles of American Government
POSI 2320
Functions of American Government
HON 2307A
Democracy in America
HON 2307B
Contemporary Issues in American Politics
POSI 2310
Principles of American Government
POSI 2310
Principles of American Government
HON 2307A
Democracy in America
HON 2307B
Contemporary Issues in American Politics
POSI 2320
Functions of American Government
ECO 2301
Principles of Economics
ECO 2314
Principles of Microeconomics
GEO 1310
World Geography
CI 3388
Social Studies in the Elementary and Middle School
Continue Reading
See the recommended courses for elementary candidates at your institution.
Here NCTQ outlines (1) the set of courses providing candidates with the content most aligned with what elementary teachers need within current institution and program requirements, and (2) suggestions for courses to fill in gaps where candidates still lack coverage.
"Most Aligned" Set of Courses
HIST 1310 - History of the United States to 1877 (TCCN: HIST 1301)
HIST 2328 - History of Mexican America from 1865 (TCCN: HIST 2328)
POSI 2310 - Principles of American Government
POSI 2310 - Principles of American Government
POSI 2320 - Functions of American Government
GEO 1310 - World Geography
CI 3388 - Social Studies in the Elementary and Middle School
How to Improve Content Coverage
Using the “Most Aligned” Set of Courses, current course requirements can address up to 69.23% coverage of social studies topics.
The topics still lacking coverage include:
To improve content coverage, the institution or teacher preparation program may need to require additional courses for their candidates to achieve coverage across all topics. Our analysts identified the following courses to cover these topics:
Analysis of Content Covered with "Most Aligned" Set of Courses
= Course is Currently Recommended or Required by Program
Download RecommendationsIdentity
A
Political institutions, Participation, Rules, and Laws
B
Economic Principles and Exchange
C
The Economy
D
European Exploration and Colonization (up to 1700)
E
The American Revolution and Founding (1700s)
F
Growth and Expansion of the American Republic (up to 1900)
G
Twentieth Century and Beyond
H
Pre-Columbian and/or Ancient Civilizations
I
Twentieth Century and Beyond
J
Geographic Representations
K
Human-Environment Interactions
L
Diverse Perspectives
M
Cross-cutting Concepts
HIST 1310
History of the United States to 1877 (TCCN: HIST 1301)
HIST 2328
History of Mexican America from 1865 (TCCN: HIST 2328)
POSI 2310
Principles of American Government
POSI 2310
Principles of American Government
POSI 2320
Functions of American Government
GEO 1310
World Geography
CI 3388
Social Studies in the Elementary and Middle School
If a candidate takes the above courses, this is the topic coverage they would experience overall:
Continue Reading