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School of Education & Health Sciences

Elementary Education

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Why pursue a degree in elementary education at North Central College?

The Elementary Education program provides preparation to successfully begin a teaching profession upon graduation. Elementary Elementary Education majors learn how to lesson plan and teach a variety of subjects like English, math, science and social studies. This program is approved for licensure by the Illinois State Board of education, creating world-class educators who inspire young people to achieve their best.

Getting an elementary education degree can be a rewarding career choice for those who are passionate about working with children and helping them develop foundational skills to help them succeed in later years. At North Central College, you will make a commitment to upholding professional standards, committing to understand social issues such as equity and capacity-based learning. In this experience-oriented teacher education program, you’ll use a liberal arts core and education degree to create meaningful impact in the lives of students.

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN

  • Learning to foster innovation through professional standards of education
  • Analyzing learning and assessment methods for students
  • Becoming an expert in equity and capacity-based learning

then a degree in ELEMENTARY EDUCATION might be for you.

Why study elementary education at North Central College?

In the Classroom

Coursework topics:

  • Chemistry Today
  • Educational Technology in K-12 Classroom
  • Elementary Assessment of Learning
  • Elementary Methods: Literacy
  • Elementary Methods: Mathematics
  • Elementary Methods: Science
  • Elementary Methods: Social Studies
  • Equitable Learning Environments: Elementary
  • Foundations of Teaching and Learning
  • Global History and Geography
  • Human Biology
  • Mathematics for Elementary Education
  • Psychology: Science of Behavior
  • School Health and Methods of Physical Activity
  • Teaching Students with Disabilities

Campus Virtual Tour

Beyond the Classroom

As an Elementary Education major, you can:

  • Apply for internships and jobs through robust faculty and alumni networks or the Center for Career and Professional Development.
  • Acquire excellent teacher preparation at exceptional high schools.
  • Receive extensive guidance to prepare for the rigorous Teacher Performance Assessment (edTPA).
  • Join Ed Rising, a student-run organization of education students that discuss and analyze major education ideas, trends and issues.

More Department information

Elementary Education, B.A.

The Education Department offers an undergraduate licensure program in  education to prepare elementary, secondary, K-12 art, K-12 foreign language and in conjunction with the Department of Music, K-12 music teachers. It is an experience-oriented teacher education program based on the liberal arts. The faculty of the education department is committed to the serious study of education and the promotion of professional standards to foster innovation in professional preparation. This commitment encompasses social issues such as equity and capacity-based learning, with an emphasis on preparing candidates to teach in diverse school settings. The program is approved for licensure by the Illinois State Board of Education. Teacher education programs differ from other programs at the College in that additional specific criteria must be met in the area of general education, as well as in the area of the major.

For additional programs and courses in this department, see Education.

Professional Education Courses

Content Preparation Courses

Science

One of the following:

One of the following:

Mathematics

Social Science

One of the following:

Health Education

Notes:

Grades below "C-" in professional education courses, field experiences and content preparation courses are not accepted for licensure.

If a student receives a "no pass" in a field experience, the student must retake the field experience the next time it is scheduled. If a student passes the field experience but not the class, then both must be retaken.

The Department of Education has established the following Progression Points as ways for department faculty to ensure students are undertaking experiences needed to prepare them for the profession of teaching. Each checklist is designed to be met by teacher candidates at important points along their journey to becoming a teacher. Once all experiences of a Progression Point are met, a teacher candidate is ready to move forward in the program.

Progression Point 1: Admission to the Teacher Education Program

Course Requirements:

  • Complete EDUC 101, PSYC 100, EDUC 228, 260, and EDUC 235 with a grade of C- or above
  • Complete EDUC 291 with a grade of P

GPA Requirements: 

For full admission to the Teacher Education Program:

  • Have earned an overall cumulative GPA of 2.75 or better in all coursework taken at and transferred to North Central College
  • Have earned a GPA of 2.75 or better in all coursework taken for and transferred to the Elementary Education major

For conditional admission to the Teacher Education Program:

Conditional Admission to the Teacher Education Program allows candidates to progress in their plan of study while taking advantage of systems of support provided by the department to help ensure academic success in the Teacher Education Program.

  • Have earned an overall cumulative GPA of 2.25-2.749 in all coursework taken at and transferred to North Central College
  • Have earned a GPA of 2.25-2.749 in all coursework taken for and transferred in to the Elementary Education major

Evaluation Requirements:

Dispositions:

  • Recommendation from candidate's EDUC 101 instructor
  • Dispositions Recommendation from candidate's EDUC 228 or EDUC 260 instructor
  • Self-Assessment of dispositions at time of application to TEP

Field Experiences:

  • Field Experience Recommendation from EDUC 101
  • Mentor Teacher Recommendation from EDUC 291
  • Supervisor Recommendation from EDUC 291

Note: Teacher candidates must be admitted to the Teacher Education Program (TEP) to take EDUC courses at the 300- or 400-level.

Progression Point 2: Progression to Student Teaching Residency

Course Requirements:

  • Complete of all professional education and content preparation courses for the Elementary Education major with a grade of C- or better with the exception of EDUC 494 and 496, the Student Teaching Residency course package

GPA Requirements:

Full Admission to Student Teaching Residency:

  • Have earned an overall cumulative GPA of 2.75 or greater in all courses taken at and transferred to North Central College
  • Have earned a GPA of 3.00 or better in all courses taken for and transferred in to the Elementary Education major

For conditional admission to Student Teaching Residency:

Conditional Admission to Student Teaching allows candidates to progress to student teaching while taking advantage of systems of support provided by the department to help ensure success.

  • Have earned an overall cumulative GPA of 2.25-2.749 in all coursework taken at and transferred to North Central College
  • Have earned a GPA of 2.50-2.999 in all coursework taken for and transferred in to the Elementary Education major

Recommendation Requirements:

  • Mentor Teacher Recommendations from EDUC 391 and 491
  • Supervisor Recommendations from EDUC 391 and 491
  • Practitioner Interview Recommendation (e.g., teachers and administrators)
  • Receive a recommendation from the Department of Education for Student Teaching Residency

Additional Requirements:

  • Complete the practice edTPA as required for EDUC 460 Elementary Methods-Literacy II and EDUC 401 Elementary Assessment of Learning
  • *Earn a passing Score on the ILTS Elementary content test #305

* Illinois State Board of Education requirement enforced by North Central College

Progression Point 3: Licensure

  • *Pass EDUC 494 Student Teaching Residency Seminar and EDUC 496 Student Teaching Residency with a grade of C- or better
  • *Earn a passing Score on the edTPA teacher performance assessment
  • *Complete all other necessary requirements to earn a bachelor's degree

* Illinois State Board of Education requirement enforced by North Central College

Students must demonstrate elementary competence in a foreign language. For more information, see the B.A. Degree Requirements within the Academic Regulations section of this catalog.

Elementary Education Internships and Jobs

A North Central education integrates career preparation with rich academic study. We believe that great educator preparation goes beyond getting our elementary education degree, and should continue with real world experience. Our faculty encourages you to refine and apply your knowledge in an interconnected world. Here you'll learn to think independently and work globally to solve problems and lead.

Graduate Schools

Recent graduates in elementary education have been accepted at:

  • Marquette University
  • North Central College

Employment

Recent graduates in elementary education are working at:

  • Prairie Elementary, Naperville, IL
  • Highland Elementary, Naperville, IL
  • Carl Sandburg Elementary, Joliet, IL
  • William E. Young Elementary, Homer Glen, IL
  • Dan H. Pietrini Elementary, Franklin Park, IL
  • Anne Fox Elementary, Schaumburg, IL
  • Spring Ave. Elementary, LaGrange Park, IL
  • Grand Prairie Elementary, Plainfield, IL

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