Elementary Education, B.A.
The Elementary Education program is for future teachers who wish to teach grades K–9. Successful completion of the program enables students to apply for licensure by entitlement in Illinois for a Professional Educator License endorsed for self-contained general education (kindergarten to grade 9) and, with completion of additional requirements, the courses may be used toward a Middle Level endorsement.
Special Admissions Requirements:
Admission to the Elementary Education program is a two step process. Students must first be admitted to National Louis University.
Applicants to the Elementary Education program must:
- Pass the Test of Academic Proficiency (TAP) or ISBE approved alternative
- Have completed all General Education and Foundational courses (except LIBR 200, Developmental Psychology and Science elective, which may be completed after admission). Students who receive a “D” or “F” in a Foundational course must petition the Academic Policies Committee if they wish to receive permission to retake the course. Foundational courses may not be repeated without the permission of the council.
- Have a GPA of 2.5 or better at National Louis University, with a grade of "C" or better in each course required for the degree
- Have completed 45 pre-clinical observation hours
- Submit applications requesting Practicum II and Practicum III placements
Program Details:
- Requires 180 QH, including 60 QH of General Education, for completion
- 60 QH of coursework must be completed at NLU
- Credit by examination is accepted for general education and elective credit
- The Professional Education Sequence must be taken at NLU
- A minimum grade of “C” in all courses in the program is required
- Faculty reviews each student during his or her Professional Sequence to determine continued eligibility in the Elementary Education program
- Completion of a minimum of 100 clock hours of preclinical experience (practicum) is required prior to student teaching
- Requires student teaching
- Requires practicum
- Requires observations
- Candidates must complete a second major or minor, listed below
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Coursework completed as part of the second major or minor can, with other requirements, be applied toward a Middle Level Endorsement in that subject. For more details, visit Licensure and Endorsement at NLU.
Second Major options:
Minor options:
Required Courses
Communications
Humanities
Fine Arts
Choose 4 QH of introductory coursework that includes content for the appreciation of art, and/or music, and/or drama. The courses listed below meet that description, though others may be accepted.
Quantitative Reasoning
| LAM 112 | Math Content for Teachers I | 5 |
| LAM 213 | Math Content for Teachers II | 5 |
Physical and Life Sciences
Note: One course must have a lab.
Social Sciences
| LAS 120 | Introduction to American Politics | 5 |
| | or | |
| LAS 200 | U.S. History and Culture: 1492-1828 | 5 |
| | or | |
| LAS 201 | U.S. History and Culture: 1828-1898 | 5 |
| | or | |
| LAS 203 | U.S. History and Culture: 1898-Present | 5 |
| | and | |
| LAS 300 | Contemporary World Cultures | 5 |
| | or | |
| LAS 110 | Introduction to Cultural Anthropology | 5 |
| | or | |
| LAS 302 | Asian History and Culture | 5 |
| | or | |
| LAS 303 | Sub-Saharan African Cultures | 5 |
| | or | |
| LAS 304 | Middle and South American Cultures | 5 |
Notes: Another U.S. History course may be accepted. LAS 300 is preferred. Another non-western social science course may be accepted.
Behavioral Science
Library
Additional General Education Requirements - 10 QH
Notes: Another Science elective may be accepted. Another Developmental Psychology course may be accepted in place of LAP 201. If selected, LAN 300 must be taken for 5 semester hours.
Foundational Requirements, Undergraduate Core
| ELE 210 | History and Philosophy of Education | 3 |
| EPS 300 | Educational Psychology: Theory in Classroom Practice | 5 |
| SPE 300 | Survey of Exceptional Children and Adolescents | 5 |
| TIE 300 | Introduction to Technology in the Classroom | 3 |
Remaining Foundational Requirements
| ELE 300 | Elementary Education: Practicum I Seminar/Field Experience | 4 |
| ELE 345 | Methods of Teaching Arts Education | 3 |
| ELE 347 | Methods of Teaching Health and Physical Education | 3 |
Professional Sequence - 38 QH
| ELE 410 | Elementary Education: Practicum II | 3 |
| ELE 415 | Elementary Education Practicum II: Field Experience | 2 |
| ELE 420 | Elementary Education: Practicum III | 3 |
| ELE 425 | Elementary Education Practicum III: Field Experience | 2 |
| RLL 478 | Literacy Methods I: K-4 | 3 |
| RLL 479 | Literacy Methods II: 5-9 | 2 |
| CIS 480A | Methods of Teaching Social Studies | 4 |
| MHE 480A | Methods of Teaching Mathematics | 4 |
| SCE 480A | Methods of Teaching Science | 3 |
| ELE 470 | Elementary Education: Student Teaching | 12 |
Second Major - 45 QH
See links to majors above
Minor - 30 QH
See links to minors above
Electives - 15 QH
Choose 15 QH of elective courses
Elementary Education Student Teaching Enrollment Requirements
Admission to and continuance in student teaching are contingent on the following actions.
Candidates must:
- Be accepted into the National College of Education
- File, by the designated deadline, the application form for student teaching
- Submit to their advisor a report of a TB test taken within 90 days of the student teaching placement, results of criminal background check and acknowledgement of Mandated Reporter status form
- Turn in a signed log of all the pre-clinical hours specified in their pre-clinical hours required for the program
- Pass the Elementary/Middle Grades Content Test (110) before student teaching
- Complete all of their licensure courses except for ELE 470 (Student Teaching)
- Pass all methods courses at National Louis University with a grade no lower than a B
- Participate in faculty assessment and receive approval of his or her portfolio (Livetext)
- Provide evidence of emotional stability, adequate personality adjustment and competency as indicated by licensure coursework and departmental assessments