Utah State University

Here is a personalized summary of the current course requirements and recommendations for undergraduate elementary teacher candidates at Utah State University, 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

Utah State University

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:

  1. Evidence of any social studies coverage;
  2. Evidence of coverage of the six social studies themes; and 
  3. Evidence coursework encompasses the thirteen topics of social studies knowledge required of elementary teachers.

Utah State University's Coverage

Coverage of Subject

Does the institution or teacher preparation program require elementary candidates complete any courses in social studies?

YES

The institution/program recommends or requires candidates to complete at least one course classified under the broad domain known as social studies.

NO

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?

YES

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.

NO

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?

YES

Elementary education candidates at this institution must complete at least one course covering each of the thirteen topics.

NO

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
  1. While higher education institutions do not use the term “social studies,” the terminology is used in this analysis to represent any alignment between content covered in higher education with what is found in elementary content standards and assessments.
  2. 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.

Continue Reading

See a detailed course analysis for your institution.

This tool illuminates: 

  1. What course options are available to satisfy general education or teacher preparation Requirement Categories;
  2. What courses are required or recommended, either through general education requirements or the teacher preparation program; and
  3. Whether courses cover the themes and topics of social studies 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 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

Utah State University's Content Coverage Analysis

Filter Course Options By Requirement Category

How we define these courses
Themes: Civics Economics History Geography Culture &
Identity
Pedagogy
US History World History
Topics (hover to see name):

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.
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.
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.
BIOL 1410
General Botany (BLS
USU 1350
Integrated Life Science (BLS)
BIOL 1010
Biology and the Citizen (BLS)
NDFS 1020
Science and Application of Human Nutrition
CHEM 1010
Introduction to Chemistry (BPS)
GEO 1010
Introduction to Geology (BPS)
GEO 1360
Planet Earth (BPS)
PHYS 1010
Elementary Physics (BPS)
PHYS 1040
Introductory Astronomy (BPS)
PHYS 1200
Introduction to Physics by Hands-on Exploration (BPS)
BIOL 3010
Evolution (DSC)
CHEM 3650
Environmental Chemistry (DSC)
GEO 3300
Geology of the World’s Oceans (DSC)
PHYS 3010
Space Exploration from Earth to the Solar System (DSC/QI)
PSC 4810
Climate and Climate Change (DSC/QI)
CHEM 1010
Introduction to Chemistry (BPS)
GEO 1010
Introduction to Geology (BPS)
GEO 1360
Planet Earth (BPS)
PHYS 1010
Elementary Physics (BPS)
PHYS 1040
Introductory Astronomy (BPS)
ECN 1500
Introduction to Economic Institutions, History, and Principles (BAI)
HIST 1700
American History (BAI) 
HIST 2700
United States to 1877 (BAI) 
HIST 2710
United States 1877-Present (BAI) 
POLS 1100
United States Government and Politics (BAI) 
ANTH 2018/HIST 2018
Native American History and Culture (BSS)
GEOG 1300
World Regional Geography (BSS)
SOC 2630
Sociology of Race and Ethnicity (BSS)
ELED 4020
Teaching Science in Elementary School
APEC 1600
Natural Resources and American Economic Institutions (BAI) 
ECN 1500
Introduction to Economic Institutions, History, and Principles (BAI)
HIST 1700
American History (BAI) 
HIST 2700
United States to 1877 (BAI) 
HIST 2710
United States 1877-Present (BAI) 
HONR 1300
U.S. Institutions (BAI) 
POLS 1100
United States Government and Politics (BAI) 
USU 1300
U.S. Institutions (BAI)
ARTH 2730
Art of the African Diaspora
ENGL 1070
Introduction to Native American Literature and Philosophy (BHU)
ENGL 2050
Literature by Women (BHU)
ENGL 2060
Literature and Diversity (BHU)
HIST 1500
Pre-Modern World (BHU)
HIST 1510
The Modern World (BHU)
HIST 1100
European History to 1500
HIST 1110
European History from 1500
ANTH 2018/HIST 2018
Native American History and Culture (BSS)
APEC 2010/ECN 2010
Introduction to Microeconomics (BSS)
GEOG 1300
World Regional Geography (BSS)
POLS 1010
Introduction to Political Science (BSS)
SOC 2630
Sociology of Race and Ethnicity (BSS)
HDFS 1500
Human Development Across the Lifespan
ECN 1500
Introduction to Economic Institutions, History, and Principles (BAI)
HIST 1700
American History (BAI) 
HIST 2700
United States to 1877 (BAI) 
HIST 2710
United States 1877-Present (BAI) 
POLS 1100
United States Government and Politics (BAI) 
ANTH 2018/HIST 2018
Native American History and Culture (BSS)
GEOG 1300
World Regional Geography (BSS)
SOC 2630
Sociology of Race and Ethnicity (BSS)
CHEM 1010
Introduction to Chemistry (BPS)
GEO 1010
Introduction to Geology (BPS)
GEO 1360
Planet Earth (BPS)
PHYS 1010
Elementary Physics (BPS)
PHYS 1040
Introductory Astronomy (BPS)
ANTH 3140
Sex and Gender (DSS)
ANTH 3200
Perspectives on Race (DSS/CI)
ECN 3010
Managerial Economics (DSS)
ECN 3400
Introduction to Global Economic Institutions and Business Environment (DSS)
POLS 3120
Law and Politics (DSS)
POLS 3130
United States Legislative Politics (DSS)
POLS 3430
Political Geography (CI/DSS)
ANTH 3110
North American Indian Cultures
ELED 4050
Teaching Social Studies in Elementary 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

  1. Social Studies Requirement 01

    HIST 1700 - American History (BAI) 

  2. Social Studies Requirement 02

    HIST 1510 - The Modern World (BHU)

  3. Social Studies Requirement 03

    GEOG 1300 - World Regional Geography (BSS)

  4. Social Studies Requirement 04

    POLS 1100 - United States Government and Politics (BAI) 

  5. Social Studies Requirement 05

    ECN 3010 - Managerial Economics (DSS)

  6. Social Studies Requirement 06

    ELED 4050 - Teaching Social Studies in Elementary School

How to Improve Content Coverage

Using the “Most Aligned” Set of Courses, current course requirements can address up to 76.92% coverage of social studies topics.

The topics still lacking coverage include:

  • Diverse Perspectives
  • The Economy
  • Pre-Columbian and/or Ancient Civilizations

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:

  • Diverse Perspectives: ANTH 2018/HIST 2018
  • Diverse Perspectives: ANTH 3110
  • Diverse Perspectives: ANTH 3140
  • Diverse Perspectives: ANTH 3200
  • Diverse Perspectives: ARTH 2730
  • Diverse Perspectives: ENGL 1070
  • Diverse Perspectives: ENGL 2050
  • Diverse Perspectives: ENGL 2060
  • Diverse Perspectives: SOC 2630
  • The Economy: APEC 1600
  • The Economy: ECN 1500
  • The Economy: ECN 3400
  • The Economy: USU 1300
  • Pre-Columbian and/or Ancient Civilizations: HIST 1100
  • Pre-Columbian and/or Ancient Civilizations: HIST 1500

Analysis of Content Covered with "Most Aligned" Set of Courses

= Course is Currently Recommended or Required by Program

Download Recommendations
Themes: Civics Economics History Geography Culture &
Identity
Pedagogy
US History World History
Topics (hover to see name):

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 1700
American History (BAI) 
HIST 1510
The Modern World (BHU)
GEOG 1300
World Regional Geography (BSS)
POLS 1100
United States Government and Politics (BAI) 
ECN 3010
Managerial Economics (DSS)
ELED 4050
Teaching Social Studies in Elementary School
Total Content Covered: 76.92%
If a candidate takes the above courses, this is the topic coverage they would experience overall:

Continue Reading

Catalog Year: 2021-2022

Utah State University

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:

  1. Evidence of any science coverage;
  2. Evidence of coverage of the three science themes; and 
  3. Evidence coursework encompasses the nine topics of science knowledge required of elementary teachers.

Utah State University's Coverage

Coverage of Subject

Does the institution or teacher preparation program require elementary candidates complete any courses in science?

YES

The institution/program recommends or requires candidates to complete at least one course classified under the broad domain known as science.

NO

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?

YES

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.

NO

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?

YES

Elementary education candidates at this institution must complete at least one course covering each of the nine topics.

NO

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
  1. 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.

Continue Reading

See a detailed course analysis for your institution.

This tool illuminates: 

  1. What course options are available to satisfy general education or teacher preparation Requirement Categories;
  2. What courses are required or recommended, either through general education requirements or the teacher preparation program; and
  3. 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.

View the Course Catalog

Utah State University's Content Coverage Analysis

Filter Course Options By Requirement Category

How we define these courses
Themes: Pedagogy Life Science Physical Science Earth & Space Sciences Engineering
Topics (hover to see name):

A

Cross-cutting Concepts

B

Scientific and Engineering Practices

C

Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems

D

Inheritance and Variation of Traits

E

Forces, Waves, and Energy

F

Structure and Properties of Matter

G

Space Systems

H

Earth's Systems and Processes

I

Engineering Design

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.
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.
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.
BIOL 1410
General Botany (BLS
USU 1350
Integrated Life Science (BLS)
BIOL 1010
Biology and the Citizen (BLS)
NDFS 1020
Science and Application of Human Nutrition
CHEM 1010
Introduction to Chemistry (BPS)
GEO 1010
Introduction to Geology (BPS)
GEO 1360
Planet Earth (BPS)
PHYS 1010
Elementary Physics (BPS)
PHYS 1040
Introductory Astronomy (BPS)
PHYS 1200
Introduction to Physics by Hands-on Exploration (BPS)
BIOL 3010
Evolution (DSC)
CHEM 3650
Environmental Chemistry (DSC)
GEO 3300
Geology of the World’s Oceans (DSC)
PHYS 3010
Space Exploration from Earth to the Solar System (DSC/QI)
PSC 4810
Climate and Climate Change (DSC/QI)
CHEM 1010
Introduction to Chemistry (BPS)
GEO 1010
Introduction to Geology (BPS)
GEO 1360
Planet Earth (BPS)
PHYS 1010
Elementary Physics (BPS)
PHYS 1040
Introductory Astronomy (BPS)
ECN 1500
Introduction to Economic Institutions, History, and Principles (BAI)
HIST 1700
American History (BAI) 
HIST 2700
United States to 1877 (BAI) 
HIST 2710
United States 1877-Present (BAI) 
POLS 1100
United States Government and Politics (BAI) 
ANTH 2018/HIST 2018
Native American History and Culture (BSS)
GEOG 1300
World Regional Geography (BSS)
SOC 2630
Sociology of Race and Ethnicity (BSS)
ELED 4020
Teaching Science in Elementary School
APEC 1600
Natural Resources and American Economic Institutions (BAI) 
ECN 1500
Introduction to Economic Institutions, History, and Principles (BAI)
HIST 1700
American History (BAI) 
HIST 2700
United States to 1877 (BAI) 
HIST 2710
United States 1877-Present (BAI) 
HONR 1300
U.S. Institutions (BAI) 
POLS 1100
United States Government and Politics (BAI) 
USU 1300
U.S. Institutions (BAI)
ARTH 2730
Art of the African Diaspora
ENGL 1070
Introduction to Native American Literature and Philosophy (BHU)
ENGL 2050
Literature by Women (BHU)
ENGL 2060
Literature and Diversity (BHU)
HIST 1500
Pre-Modern World (BHU)
HIST 1510
The Modern World (BHU)
HIST 1100
European History to 1500
HIST 1110
European History from 1500
ANTH 2018/HIST 2018
Native American History and Culture (BSS)
APEC 2010/ECN 2010
Introduction to Microeconomics (BSS)
GEOG 1300
World Regional Geography (BSS)
POLS 1010
Introduction to Political Science (BSS)
SOC 2630
Sociology of Race and Ethnicity (BSS)
HDFS 1500
Human Development Across the Lifespan
ECN 1500
Introduction to Economic Institutions, History, and Principles (BAI)
HIST 1700
American History (BAI) 
HIST 2700
United States to 1877 (BAI) 
HIST 2710
United States 1877-Present (BAI) 
POLS 1100
United States Government and Politics (BAI) 
ANTH 2018/HIST 2018
Native American History and Culture (BSS)
GEOG 1300
World Regional Geography (BSS)
SOC 2630
Sociology of Race and Ethnicity (BSS)
CHEM 1010
Introduction to Chemistry (BPS)
GEO 1010
Introduction to Geology (BPS)
GEO 1360
Planet Earth (BPS)
PHYS 1010
Elementary Physics (BPS)
PHYS 1040
Introductory Astronomy (BPS)
ANTH 3140
Sex and Gender (DSS)
ANTH 3200
Perspectives on Race (DSS/CI)
ECN 3010
Managerial Economics (DSS)
ECN 3400
Introduction to Global Economic Institutions and Business Environment (DSS)
POLS 3120
Law and Politics (DSS)
POLS 3130
United States Legislative Politics (DSS)
POLS 3430
Political Geography (CI/DSS)
ANTH 3110
North American Indian Cultures
ELED 4050
Teaching Social Studies in Elementary School

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

  1. Science Requirement 01

    BIOL 1010 - Biology and the Citizen (BLS)

  2. Science Requirement 02

    PHYS 1200 - Introduction to Physics by Hands-on Exploration (BPS)

  3. Science Requirement 03

    PHYS 3010 - Space Exploration from Earth to the Solar System (DSC/QI)

  4. Science Requirement 04

    Use for Social Studies

  5. Science Requirement 05

    ELED 4020 - Teaching Science in Elementary School

How to Improve Content Coverage

Using the “Most Aligned” Set of Courses, current course requirements can address up to 77.78% coverage of science topics.

The topics still lacking coverage include:

  • Structure and Properties of Matter
  • 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:

  • Structure and Properties of Matter: CHEM 1010
  • Structure and Properties of Matter: CHEM 3650
  • 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 Recommendations
Themes: Pedagogy Life Science Physical Science Earth & Space Sciences Engineering
Topics (hover to see name):

A

Cross-cutting Concepts

B

Scientific and Engineering Practices

C

Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems

D

Inheritance and Variation of Traits

E

Forces, Waves, and Energy

F

Structure and Properties of Matter

G

Space Systems

H

Earth's Systems and Processes

I

Engineering Design

BIOL 1010
Biology and the Citizen (BLS)
PHYS 1200
Introduction to Physics by Hands-on Exploration (BPS)
PHYS 3010
Space Exploration from Earth to the Solar System (DSC/QI)
ELED 4020
Teaching Science in Elementary School
Total Content Covered: 77.78%
If a candidate takes the above courses, this is the topic coverage they would experience overall:

Continue Reading