Program Overview

Elementary Education Program

The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Elementary Education is designed to prepare students for a career in teaching. This program entitles students to apply for the State of Illinois Professional Educator License with an Elementary Education endorsement, which will allow them to teach in first grade through sixth grade.

Admission Requirements

To be eligible for the Elementary Education program, students must apply to the Teacher Education Program in the School of Education. The requirements for admission include:

• Completion of 30 semester hours with an overall grade point average of 2.75 (4.0 scale)
• Successful completion of the following University Core Curriculum courses with a grade of C or better: ENGL 101, ENGL 102, and ELED 220/MATH 220, or equivalent

Advancement in the Program

Advancement in the major is based on:

• Continued satisfactory academic performance (grade of C or better for methods and professional sequence courses)
• Satisfying requirements of the Teacher Education Program
• Acceptable professional behaviors and competencies as reflected in the state standards for licensure
  • The Illinois Professional Teaching Standards
  • Elementary Education Standards
  • Social Emotional Standards for all teachers Students are required to demonstrate their achievement of these standards through their performance in their courses and in the field.

Degree Requirements

The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Elementary Education degree requirements include:

• University Core Curriculum Requirements: 39 credit hours
  • To include ENGL 101, ENGL 102; MATH 108; 6 credit hours of Science (Physical Science and Life Science); CMST 101; UNIV 101; EDUC 211, EDUC 214; 3 credit hours of Social Science; 3 credit hours of Fine Arts; 6 credit hours of Humanities; 2 credit hours of Human Health
• Elementary Education Major Requirements: 54 credit hours
  • ELED 220/MATH 220, ECFS 225, ECFS 337, ECFS/ELED 361, ELED 362, ECFS/ELED 388, ELED 389, ELED 418, ECFS 419, ECFS/ELED 426, ELED 427, ECFS/ELED 431, ECFS/ELED 432, ELED 433, ELED 434; KIN 202; MATH 282, three-hour elective
• Professional Education Sequence: 27 credit hours
  • EDUC 101, EDUC 301, EDUC 302, EDUC 303, EDUC 308, EDUC 313, EDUC 319, EDUC 401A
• Total: 120 credit hours

Eligibility for the Professional Semester

To be eligible for the professional semester (student teaching) and completion of the program, students must:

• Have attained a minimum grade point average of 2.75 in the major and a minimum overall grade point average of 2.75
• Have completed the required courses with a grade of C or better
• Have made application for the professional semester
• Be approved by the program based on performance in all major courses

Program Structure

The Elementary Education program is designed to be taken over four semesters, with each semester containing a field experience. Students must maintain a 2.75 GPA in the major, earn a C or better in the elementary and professional core courses, and demonstrate appropriate progress toward meeting the Illinois Professional Teaching and Content standards to continue in the program.