š We're Here to Assist You
Elementary Education, B.A.
The College of Education offers the undergraduate major in Elementary Education leading to the B.A. in Elementary Education and an Illinois Professional Educator License (PEL) in elementary grades (1-6). Elementary Education majors may also pursue dual licensure at the middle grades (5-8) level with an additional 3-credit methods course in the area of the teaching specialization. Required general education courses expand candidates’ knowledge of the subject matter content in elementary school curricula while professional education courses provide preparation for teaching and an understanding of students’ development and learning. Our program, nationally accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), includes a combination of classroom instruction, intensive pre-student teaching field experiences, and a supervised student teaching experience in two distinct program tracks. Track 1: The baccalaureate degree in Elementary Education is offered in a face-to-face daytime program for traditional candidates. Professional education courses in Track 1 are scheduled predictably, two-three days per week, over a period of four fall/spring semesters and one summer, enabling candidates who wish to be employed part- or full-time until their final semester, 15 weeks of full-time student teaching. Track 2: An alternative pathway to the B.A. in Elementary Education and licensure is offered through the Para to Teacher Program for candidates employed as teacher assistants, permanent substitute teachers, or paraprofessionals in elementary and middle schools with which we have established Memoranda of Understanding (MOU). These agreements with partner school districts permit candidates to continue their work in the schools during the day while completing online classes over a period of five fall/spring semesters and two summers. Through the MOU, the paraprofessional’s school agrees to provide all required clinical experiences and supervision for their candidate. This slower-paced program permits candidates to maintain the highest quality in their work as paraprofessionals as well as in their course and clinical work toward Elementary licensure. Individuals interested in the Para to Teacher Program in Elementary Education should contact the program advisor. Candidate Handbook Additional information is available in the Elementary and Middle Grades Education Program Handbook. Admission to Teacher Education After meeting the university admission requirements, students must meet the following requirements to become a candidate in the Elementary Education program:
For more information on the criminal background check, please contact the Director of Educator Preparation in the Division of Education. Consult with the Elementary Education advisor for information concerning related GSU policies and procedures. Candidate ProgressThe Elementary Education faculty monitor and evaluate candidate progress continually. The section entitled “Licensure of Teachers and Other School Professionals” in this catalog provides a general description of the standards used to evaluate candidate progress. A more detailed statement of the standards and processes followed by the Elementary Education faculty is available in the Elementary and Middle Grades Education Program Candidate Handbook; Conditional ContinuationThe Elementary Education faculty may permit a candidate to continue conditionally. In such cases, faculty review the candidate’s records to identify evidence that the candidate is likely to be successful in the program. Candidates are informed in writing of the conditions necessary for them to be transferred to good standing status. The status of a candidate allowed to continue conditionally is reviewed by the faculty each term. When conditions have been met, the candidate is informed in writing of the transfer to good standing status. Consequences for failing to meet established and agreed upon conditions for continuation may include dismissal from the program. Candidates will not be admitted to student teaching unless they are in good standing status. Teacher Licensure Requirements - Illinois State Board of EducationOur nationally CAEP-accredited program is approved by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) for recommendation of the Professional Educator License endorsed in Elementary Grades (1-6) by entitlement. To be recommended for licensure by Governors State University, candidates must:
Admission to Student TeachingAll general education, professional education, and teaching specialization course work as well as the Illinois Licensure Testing System Elementary Content Test must be completed before the candidate’s student teaching semester begins. For those students who intend to student teach in a content area at the middle-grades level, all middle grades endorsement requirements must also be completed before the student teaching semester. Note that students who elect a teaching specialization in Bilingual Education or ESL Education must have completed additional requirements (see below). To be admitted to student teaching, candidates must:
Candidates must verify for the Director of Educator Preparation that each of these requirements has been met by June 1 of the semester preceding fall student teaching and by November 1 of the semester preceding spring student teaching. Candidates must work with the program advisor in preparing the application for student teaching one year prior to the student teaching experience. Note: Student teaching is not offered during the summer session. |
|||||
Degree RequirementsCandidates must meet all university requirements for a bachelor’s degree, except candidates must complete the 49-51 hour General Education Requirement for the Professional Educators License with an Elementary Endorsement (Grades 1-6) instead of the University General Education Requirement. Candidates must also:
General Education Requirement for the Professional Educators License with an Elementary Endorsement (Grades 1-6): 49-51 HoursCourse work acceptable for meeting these requirements must be college level work and may not include remedial courses even if college credit has been granted. Generally, this course work must be at the 1000-level or higher and applicable toward a degree at the institution providing the instruction. Courses with grades below “C” will not be accepted toward the degree. Students will complete:
Please see the General Education Course Section for a list of courses that meet these requirements. Teaching Specialization: 18 Hours In consultation with a program advisor, candidates will select 18 hours of course work, in an area of specialization which includes: English, General Science, Mathematics, or Social Sciences. At least 9 specialization hours are to be upper-division courses; no more than 9 hours are to be courses also used to satisfy general education (GE) requirements; and only one 3-hour professional education (PE) methods course is to be included in this 18 hour total. Please meet with the program advisor for assistance with courses for the Teaching Specializations listed below.
Professional Education Courses for Elementary Education: 68 HoursThe following required courses may be taken at the lower-division level: (12 Hours)
The following required courses must be taken at the upper-division level: (56 Hours)
Additional credits in Professional Education and in the area of Teaching Specialization will be required for students also seeking middle-grades licensure. (See Middle Grades (5-8) Endorsement for Elementary Candidates” below and consult your advisor.) Total: 123-135 HoursTeaching SpecializationsIn consultation with a program advisor, candidates will select 18 hours of course work in the area of specialization, English, General Science, Mathematics, or Social Sciences. At least 9 specialization hours are to be upper-division courses; no more than 9 hours are to be courses also used to satisfy general education (GE) requirements; and only one 3-hour professional education (PE) methods course is to be included in this 18 hour total. Required Courses (18 Hours)
Multicultural Selective (3 Hours) Select one from the following*:
Select one from the following*:
No more than 9 hours may be from courses also used to satisfy general education (GE) requirements, and only one 3-hour professional education (PE) methods course is included in this total. Thus, of the total 18 hours required for this specialization, 9 hours come from a combination of GE and PE course work.
Select 6 additional hours of English courses. Select from the following*:
Required*:
Select from the following*:
Earth and Space Science (3 Hours) Select one of the following*:
No more than 9 hours are to be courses also used to satisfy general education (GE) requirements, and only one 3-hour professional education (PE) methods course is to be included in this total. Thus, of the total 18 hours required for this specialization, 12 hours come from a combination of GE and PE course work.
Select two from the following*:
No more than 9 hours are to be from courses used to satisfy general education (GE) requirements, and only one 3-hour professional education (PE) methods course is to be included in this total. Thus, of the total 18 hours required for this specialization, 12 hours come from a combination of GE and PE course work.
Select one from the following*:
Select one from the following*:
Select one from the following*:
Select one from the following*:
No more than 9 hours are to be courses also used to satisfy general education (GE) requirements, and only one 3-hour professional education (PE) methods course is to be included in this total. Thus, of the total 18 hours required for this specialization, 12 hours come from a combination of GE and PE course work.
Middle Grades (Grades 5-8) LicensureMiddle Grades Licensure is approved by the Illinois State Board of Education for recommendation of the Professional Educator License with an Endorsement in the Middle Grades by entitlement. To be recommended for licensure by Governors State University, undergraduate candidates must complete all requirements for licensure in Elementary or Secondary Education as well as the middle-grade-specific course work below. Candidates must earn a grade of “B” or better in EMED-4999 Student Teaching. Candidates must also meet other requirements for licensure through approved programs listed in the Licensure of Teachers and Other School Professionals section in this catalog. General Education Requirement for Initial Teacher Licensure, Middle Grades (Grades 5-8)Middle Grades Licensure is approved by the Illinois State Board of Education for recommendation of the Professional Educator License with an Endorsement in the Middle Grades by entitlement. To be recommended for licensure by Governors State University, Elementary Education undergraduate candidates must complete all requirements for licensure in Elementary Education as well as the appropriate middle-grade-specific course below. Candidates must earn a grade of B- or better in EMED - 4999 - Student Teaching. Candidates must also meet other requirements for licensure through approved programs listed in the “Licensure of Teachers and Other School Professionals” section of this catalog. Professional Education Courses for Middle Grades Education: 3 Hours
Total Credit Hours for Elementary and Middle Grades Dual Licensure: 127 - 133 HoursTotal Credit Hours for Secondary and Middle Grades Dual Licensure: 123 - 137 HoursStudents seeking initial licensure in a Secondary content area should meet with their Academic Advisor to identify course requirements for Middle Grades endorsement. |
|||||
Return to: Academic Degree Programs Offered
