The Elementary Education Program prepares candidates to teach in grades 1 through 6. Completion of the program leads to a Bachelor of Science degree and prepares candidates to obtain an Illinois Professional Educator License (PEL) with an endorsement in elementary education as well as a Reading Teacher endorsement. The Elementary Education Program consists of general education and professional education courses that address requirements for graduation and the State of Illinois requirements for licensure. Students must earn a minimum grade of C in all coursework.
University General Education and Illinois State Board of Education Coursework Requirements
Level I courses
- TS 100: Transitions (1)
- FYS 175: First-Year Seminar (3)
- PHIL 140: The Examined Life (3)
- ENGL 120: Rhetoric and Writing (3)
- COMM 101: Speech Fundamentals (3)
- Mathematics (1 course)
Level II courses
- Natural Science courses (2 disciplines) (At least one course must include a lab)
- Biological course (3)
- Social Sciences course (3)
- History course (3)
- History of Social Science course (3)
- Art, Humanities, Music, Literature course (3)
- Art, Humanities, Music, Literature, Religious Studies, or Philosophy course (3)
Level III Diversity and Global Studies
- 1 courses in Diversity Studies (3)
- 1 courses in Global Studies/Foreign Languages (3)
Note: Students complete the requirement in diversity studies and the requirement in global studies while completing either program requirements in their major or general education requirements in Level II. General education requirements in global studies and diversity studies should not add additional hours in the general education program.
The Illinois State Board of Education requires the following subject-specific content coursework for a Professional Educator License with Elementary Education endorsement. These courses also fulfill many of the general education requirements listed above.
- POLSCI 101: Introduction to U.S. Government (3)
- HIST 102: World History Since 1500 (3)
- SOCSCI 101: World Geography (3)
- HIST 190: Economic Development in U.S. History
- BIOL 101: Principles and Methods of Biology (3)
- EDU 381: Science for Teachers (3)
- MATH 112: College Algebra (3)
8-Semester Course of Study
Freshman I
- TS 100: Transitions (1)
- FYS 175: (Religious Studies) (3)
- ENGL 120: Rhetoric and Writing (3)
- PHIL 140: The Examined Life (3)
- POLSCI 101: Intro to U.S. Government (3)
Freshman II
- MATH 112: College Algebra (3)
- COMM 101: Speech Fundamentals (3)
- HIST 102: World History Since 1500 (3)
- Literature Elective (Global Studies) (3)
- GE Global (Art, Humanities, Music, Literature, Philosophy or Religious Studies) (3)
Sophomore I
- MATH 121: Math for Teachers I (3)
- SOCSCI 101: World Geography (3)
- BIOL 101: Principles and Methods of Biology (3)
- HIST 190: Economic Development in U.S. History (3)
Sophomore II
- EDU 205: Child Growth and Development (3)
- EDU 209: Literature for Children and Adolescents (3)
- EDU 323: Survey of Students with Exceptionalities (3)
- EDU 364: Methods of Teaching English as a Second Language (3)
- EDUL 211: Sophomore II Field Experience Block (1)
- EDU 200: Introduction to the Profession of Teaching (3)
- EDUL 200: Education Orientation (0)
- MATH 122: Math for Teachers II (3)
Junior I
- EDU 339: Managing the Elementary Classroom: Behavior Management and Instructional Planning (3)
- EDU 318: Foundations and Methods of Literacy and Language Arts (3)
- EDUL 221: Junior I Field Experience Block (1)
- Fine Arts Elective (3)
Junior II
- EDU 242: Using Student Achievement Data to Support Instructional Decision (3)
- EDU 243: Principles and Methods of Teaching Science, Health and PE in the Elementary School (2)
- EDU 244: Principles and Methods of Teaching Social Science and the Arts in the Elementary School (2)
- EDU 282: Reading Informational Text in the Content Areas (3)
- EDU 110: Introduction to Educational Technology (2)
- EDUL 231: Junior II Field Experience Block (1)
- EDU 381: Science for Teachers (3)
Senior I
- EDU 343: Assessment and Diagnosis of Reading Problems (3)
- EDU 388: Application of Reading Strategies for Diverse Learners (2)
- EDU 336: Methods of Teaching Mathematics in the Elementary Classroom (3)
- EDUP 395: Literacy Practicum (4)
Senior II
- EDU 394: Student Teaching Seminar (3)
- EDU 350: Student Teaching (9)
Requirements in this program are subject to change within the time span of one's University career due to changing requirements at national, state and local levels.