Elementary Education (Grades 1-6) (B.S. in Education)

Total Semester Hours Required for the Degree: 124-127 semester hours

The Elementary Education curriculum prepares candidates to teach reading, writing, science, mathematics, social studies, critical thinking skills, and problem-solving strategies to elementary school students from grades one through six.

This major requires that all students (including native, transfer students from community colleges or senior institutions, internal transfers, and post-baccalaureate) follow and meet the requirements for Admission, Retention, and Graduation from Teacher Licensure programs as described in the "Teacher Licensure Programs" section of this catalog and as explained at the University Admission to Teacher Education Meeting which all students must attend. Additional information on Admission, Retention and Graduation for Teacher Licensure programs can be found on the College of Education, Health and Human Services website.

Students must receive a "C" or better in all courses used toward graduation, regardless of where they are taken. This includes general education, professional education, major and minor courses, all university required courses, and electives. Students must maintain a minimum cumulative and major GPA of 2.65 in order to continue in the program.

Professional Course Work (66 semester hours)

All professional education coursework must be completed with a "C" or better prior to student teaching.

ART 3440

Art for Teachers in the Elementary Grades. (2 credits)

or MUS 3420

EDF 2555

Education in a Diverse Society: The Multilingual/Multicultural Classroom. (3 credits)

EDU 2022

Teaching and Learning with Technology in Classrooms. (2 credits)

ELE 1050

Introduction to Teaching as a Profession. (1 credits)

ELE 2050

The Whole Child: Teaching and Learning in the Educational Environment. (3 credits)

ELE 3050

Diverse Contexts that Influence the Learning Process. (2 credits)

ELE 3100

Instructional Strategies for the Elementary Classroom. (4 credits)

ELE 3280

Developmental Reading in the Elementary and Middle School. (3 credits)

ELE 3290

Science in the Elementary and Middle School. (3 credits)

ELE 3340

Social Studies for the Elementary and Middle School. (3 credits)

ELE 3350

Language Arts in the Elementary and Middle Level School. (3 credits)

ELE 4100

Assessing Student Learning: A Field-Based Experience. (3 credits)

ELE 4280

Content Area Reading in the Elementary and Middle Levels. (3 credits)

ELE 4880

Diagnostic and Prescriptive Reading Instruction. (3 credits)

ELE 4890

Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students/English Language Learners: Instructional Methods. (3 credits)

KSR 2400

Introduction to Elementary School Physical Education. (2 credits)

MAT 3420

Teaching Mathematics in Grades PreK-6. (2 credits)

MUS 3420

Music in Elementary Schools. (2 credits)

or ART 3440

PUBH 3200

School Health for K-12 Teachers. (3 credits)

SPE 2000

Disabilities in the Context of Education and the Life Span. (2 credits)

SPE 3000

Education of Individuals with Exceptional Learning Needs. (3 credits)

STG 4000

Multicultural/Disabilities Practicum. (1 credits)

STG 4001

Student Teaching. (6 to 16 credits)

(12 semester hours)

Departmental Requirements (in addition to University General Education Requirements)

University General Education and additional departmental required courses: 55-58��semester hours

Some courses may also count toward University general education requirements.�� Consult with Departmental Advisor.

HIS 3600

The U.S. Constitution and the Nation. (3 credits)

PLS 1153

American Government and Constitution. (3 credits)

AND

��

HIS 2010

History of the United States to 1877. (3 credits)

HIS 2020

History of the United States Since 1877. (3 credits)

AND

��

BIO 1001

Biological Principles and Issues. (3 credits)

AND

��

CHM 1040

The World of Chemistry. (4 credits)

(See footnote 1)

CHM 1310

General Chemistry I. (3 credits)

and

CHM 1315

General Chemistry Laboratory I. (1 credits)

(See footnote 1)

CHM 3025

The Chemistry in Your Life. (3 credits)

AND

��

PHY 1051

Physics of the Modern World. (3 credits)

PHY 1052

Adventures in Physics. (3 credits)

and

PHY 1053

Adventures in Physics Laboratory. (1 credits)

(See footnote 1)

PHY 1151

Principles of Physics I. (3 credits)

and

PHY 1152

Principles of Physics I Laboratory. (1 credits)

(See footnote 1)

PHY 3050

Excursions in Physics. (3 credits)

AND

��

GEO 1120

The Natural Environment. (4 credits)

GEO 1300

Introduction to Earth Sciences. (4 credits)

(See footnote 1)

GEO 1400

Weather and Climate. (4 credits)

(See footnote 1)

GEO 2450

Oceanography. (3 credits)

GEO 3200

Human Impacts on the Environment. (3 credits)

PHY 1055

Principles of Astronomy. (3 credits)

and

PHY 1056

Principles of Astronomy Laboratory. (1 credits)

(See footnote 1)

PHY 3045

Wonders of Astronomy. (3 credits)

AND

��

MAT 1271

College Algebra. (3 credits)

(If proficiency has not been met)

MAT 1420

Mathematics for Elementary Teachers I. (3 credits)

MAT 2420

Mathematics for Elementary Teachers II. (3 credits)

MAT 2620

Mathematics for Elementary Teachers III. (3 credits)

(preferred)

MAT 2250

Elementary Statistics. (4 credits)

AND

��

ENG 1001

College Composition I: Critical Reading & Source-Based Writing. (3 credits)

ENG 1002

College Composition II: Argument & Critical Inquiry. (3 credits)

CMN 1310

Introduction to Speech Communication. (3 credits)

AND

��

ENG 2901

Structure of English. (3 credits)

ENG 3001

Advanced Composition. (3 credits)

AND

Elective from General Education Humanities courses. Credits: 3

AND

Art, Music, or Theatre��course from General Education Fine Arts courses. Credits: 3

AND

��

GEO 1100

Cultural Geography. (3 credits)

GEO 1200

World Regional Geography. (3 credits)

AND

��

HIS 3810

History of Illinois. (3 credits)

AND

��

ANT 2200

Introduction to Anthropology. (3 credits)

PLS 2253

Introduction to International Relations. (3 credits)

PSY 1879

Introductory Psychology. (3 credits)

SOC 2750

Social Problems in Contemporary Society. (3 credits)

Footnotes:

¹ A complete program must include a lab in chemistry, physics, or earth science.

The student should consult with his/her advisor to develop the study plan best suited to his/her needs and interests.

Selection to Teacher Education programs should occur following the freshman year but no later than the end of the sophomore year (for transfer students this should occur no later than the end of their first semester).��

University Approval to Take Teacher Education Courses should occur at the end of the first semester junior year with Formal University Admission to Teacher Education occurring at the end of the junior year.�� See the Teacher Licensure Program section of this catalog for more information.

Departmental Approval to Student Teach must be granted prior to Student Teaching. ��Students must pass the Illinois Licensure Content Area test for Elementary Education prior to student teaching.

Students must pass the edTPA (teacher performance assessment)��before they can receive their teaching license from Illinois or any other state. Students will make their edTPA submission during student teaching.

Major GPA based on all coursework taken at EIU.

��

Information sourced from the 2026-2027 EIU Undergraduate Catalog.

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