Thirteen students in the College of the Marshall Islands Bachelor of Arts in Elementary (BAEE) Education program have completed their courses and are waiting to graduate in May next year. They are the sixth cohort to graduate from this program.
Faith Lanwi, one of the soon-to-be graduates, says it takes four semesters or two academic years to attain a bachelor’s in elementary education. She added that some students take longer than others because they are part-time students and full-time teachers.
BAEE students are required to have an Associate of Science in Elementary Education or any associate degree. The fall semester is when spring graduates with associate degrees begin enrolling in the bachelor’s program.
In order to graduate, they must complete their practicum in the final semester and earn a C or higher in their classes. This entails working in a classroom for 12 weeks to get practical experience, writing an action research paper, and presenting it to their advisors and fellow students.