Jun 01, 2023  
2020-2021 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
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2020-2021 Undergraduate Catalog [NOTE!!!! THIS IS AN ARCHIVED CATALOG. FOR THE CURRENT CATALOG, GO TO CATALOG.NIU.EDU]

Elementary Education (B.S.Ed.)

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The Bachelor of Science in Education (B.S.Ed.) degree in Elementary Education is designed to prepare future educators with the knowledge and pedagogical approaches necessary to serve the needs of young learners. The program has been designed so candidates choose one emphasis.

All students seeking admission are required to have an overall minimum NIU GPA of 2.75 and receive a grade of C or better in all professional education course work. Candidates seeking professional educator licensure must pass any state-mandated tests for licensure/certification prior to student teaching. Candidates must also pass the Elementary Education (Grades 1-6) content area test (test code 197-200) prior to student teaching. See also “Educator Licensure Information.”

Retention

Retention in elementary education is contingent on maintaining an NIU cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher, having a grade of C or better in all professional education courses and successful completion of all clinical/field experiences. All course requirements (in and outside the department and in the area of study) require a grade of C or better. Students are encouraged to maintain close contact with their advisers as the program is tightly sequenced.

All candidates pursuing the B.S.Ed. degree with a major in elementary education must choose an emphasis in one of the following: Bilingual/ESL, Elementary Mathematics Education, Reading Teacher, or Special Education. Coursework in Bilingual/ESL, Reading Teacher and Special Education with the addition of an Illinois Professional Testing Standards (IPTS) test, leads to recommendation for additional endorsements on a teaching license. Candidates must complete all required course work for these endorsements. 

Students who successfully complete the program will have completed all required ISBE and CAEP standards for educator licensure. However, to be licensed in the state of Illinois, students must also pass the EdTPA.

The student learning outcomes for this degree are located at http://www.niu.edu/assessment/clearinghouse/outcomes/index.shtml.

Check departmental information for any additional requirements.

Requirements in Department (37-38)

Requirements outside Department (57)

Science laboratory

Candidates must complete one course from each of the following science areas: Biological, Physical, and Earth & Space Science. Science course work must include at least one laboratory course.

Biological Science Courses

Physical Science Courses

Earth and Space Science Courses

Select one of the following areas of study:

Emphasis 1. Bilingual/ESL (15)

The emphasis in Bilingual/ESL reflects the requirements of the Illinois State Board of Education and Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) standards. Successful completion of this emphasis as part of the elementary education major leads to the recommendation for the additional area of a Bilingual and/or ESL endorsement on a teaching license. The Bilingual endorsement requires the passing of a Target Language Proficiency Exam.

Emphasis 2. Elementary Mathematics Education (14)

The emphasis in Elementary Mathematics Education reflects standards established by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM). Successful completion of this emphasis as part of the elementary education major does not lead to the recommendation for an additional licensure area.

One of the following (3)

Emphasis 3. Reading Teacher (15)

The Reading Teacher emphasis reflects the requirements of the Illinois State Board of Education and International Literacy Association standards. Successful completion of this emphasis as part of the elementary education major leads to the recommendation for the additional area of Reading Teacher endorsement on a teaching license. The Reading Teacher endorsement requires the passing of the Reading Teacher Content Test (test code 177).

Emphasis 4: Special Education (16)

The emphasis in Special Education reflects the requirements of the Illinois State Board of Education and the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) standards. Successful completion of this emphasis as part of the elementary education major leads to the recommendation for the additional area of Learning Behavior Specialist I (LBS1) endorsement on a teaching license. Additional course work is required for this endorsement. The Special Education endorsement requires the passing of the Learning Behavior Specialist I Exam (test code 155).

Total Hours for a Major in Elementary Education: 120-122

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