Program in Elementary Education
The Elementary Education Program provides students with knowledge of philosophical and psychological elements of teaching and learning, general and specific methods of instruction, and clinical intern experiences of at least 200 hours in local schools prior to the full-day student teaching experience. Students who complete this program qualify for elementary education licensure. Upon licensure, they are eligible to teach elementary school (grades 1-6).
Program Outcomes:
Students completing the Elementary Education major will:
- Develop highly reflective, creative, and critical teaching skills and demonstrate the knowledge to connect theory to practice.
- Show evidence of a wide repertoire of teaching strategies across the curriculum, and an understanding of inquiry and project-based teaching.
- Demonstrate deep content knowledge across the curriculum.
- Demonstrate knowledge of skills and practices in literacy instruction for diverse learners across the curriculum.
- Develop the skills and habits of mind to critique knowledge, curriculum, and standards, and analyze the political and moral dimensions of schooling and teaching.
- Develop the skills and knowledge to implement culturally relevant pedagogy that considers all forms of diversity; and show evidence of the ability to integrate this content into their classroom curriculum.
- Demonstrate their ability to use and integrate technology and media in their teaching and across the curriculum.
- Demonstrate their ability to use a variety of assessment approaches for instructional decision-making.
- Have an understanding of educational research and demonstrate the skills to locate and critique scholarly and relevant studies.
- Demonstrate excellent oral and written communication skills.
- Demonstrate the ability to create a classroom community that is safe, creative, caring, inclusive, and motivating for learning.
- Understand the principles of social justice, the role of schooling in a democracy, and the ability to teach for active citizenship and critical literacy.
- Demonstrate the ability to integrate critical thinking and problem solving in their teaching.
- Show evidence of professionalism, responsibility, integrity, and the ability to work collaboratively for the success of all students.
- Assume responsibility for their own ongoing professional development, and understand the role of teachers as school and social change agents
Elementary Education with Bilingual Education Endorsement (Major)
Candidates in the elementary program who want to add a bilingual education endorsement will declare their major in Elementary Education with a Bilingual Endorsement, pass a Language Proficiency Test (TLP), complete field experience/student teaching in bilingual settings and complete the following 18 credit hours:
- Foundations of Bilingual Education
- BLBC 338 Bilingualism and Education (3 hours)
- Assessment of Bilingual Students
- BLBC 342 Assessment in the Bilingual Classroom (3 hours)
- Methods and Materials for Teaching Limited English Proficient Students in Bilingual Programs
- BLBC 341 Methods of Teaching in Bilingual Classrooms (3 hours)
- Cross-Cultural Studies for Teaching Limited English Proficient Students
- BLBC 339 Culturally Responsive Teaching in Diverse Classrooms (3 hours) (*)
- Methods and Materials for Teaching English as a Second Language
- BLBC 340 Teaching English Learners in Diverse Classrooms (3 hours) (*)
- ELECTIVE
- TESL 301 The English Language for Teachers (suggested to be able to add the ESL endorsement) (3 hours)
(*) Course is part of the Elementary Education Program.
Notes:
- Students declared in Elementary Education with a Bilingual Endorsement major do not need to complete a minor in bilingual education.
- Candidates in the Early Childhood Program who will complete the minor in Bilingual Education will complete ECED 327B (100 hrs.) in a bilingual setting.
- For students in the Elementary education program with a bilingual endorsement major, TESL 301 is suggested to add the ESL endorsement, and you do not take TESL 399.
- TESL 402 is suggested to add the ESL endorsement for MAT-ELED candidates completing the requirements for the bilingual endorsement. Also, since your BLBC 429 is in a bilingual setting, you DO NOT need to take TESL 399.
- Students in the following programs: Middle Level, PE, Special Education, and Secondary education; completing a minor in Bilingual Education must contact their program coordinator/facilitator to determine how to meet the 100 hours of clinical experience in a bilingual setting. The CEST office must be notified to place the students in a bilingual setting. If no placement is possible, NEIU may entitle the candidate for a short-term approval. Contact your program advisor for more information.
University Core Curriculum Requirements
| General Education Distribution Area | Cr. Hrs. |
|---|---|
| Fine Arts (FA)* 2 courses, from at least two of the following areas of study: Art, CMT (Mass Media or Theatre), Music (includes Dance). | 6 |
| Humanities (HU)* 3 courses, from at least two of the following areas of study: CMT (Communication), English, Linguistics. Philosophy, Women's and Gender Studies, World Languages and Cultures, (Note: No more than two foreign language courses may be used to fulfill this requirement.) | 9 |
| Behavioral/Social Sciences (SB)* 3 courses, from at least two of the following areas of study: African & African American Studies, Anthropology, Computer Science, Economics, Geography & Environmental Studies, History, Justice Studies, Latino & Latin American Studies, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, Social Work | 9 |
| Natural Sciences (NS and NSL)** 3 courses, from at least two of the following areas of study; one course must have a laboratory component (NSL): Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, Environmental Science, Physics (Note: If an FYE ANTH that counts as Natural Science is taken, only one Biology course may be used for Natural Science). | 9 |
| Engaged Learning Experiences | |
| Students must complete, at Northeastern, three courses designated as Engaged Learning Experiences courses. One of the Engaged Learning Experiences courses must be at the 300-level, and one Engaged Learning Experiences course must be designated as "Boundary Crossing". | |
| Discipline Specific (ELE-DS) These courses have pre-requisites that are specific courses within a program of study. Discipline Specific courses give students a deeper understanding of how knowledge is created and applied in their field. | |
| Boundary Crossing (ELE-X) These are courses that cross disciplinary boundaries and/or cross boundaries through engagements outside the classroom or University allowing students to see how knowledge gained in one field might inform other fields or other aspects of society. | |
| Math/Quantitative Reasoning (MA) 1 Math course, that has intermediate Algebra as prerequisite OR is a course listed on the General Education Distributive Learning List of Approved Courses. Any 3 hour college level math course, beyond Intermediate Algebra, meets this requirement. |
- *
Majors in Fine Arts, Humanities or Social/Behavioral Sciences, may waive up to 6 credit hours of General Education requirements in the corresponding distribution area.
- **
Majors in Natural Sciences may waive up to 9 credit hours of General Education requirements in the Natural Sciences distribution area.
Students should also be aware of all other university requirements to obtain a degree - NEIU requirements
Degree and Program Completion/Entitlement Requirements
To graduate from the program and be entitled to state licensure, students must complete a minimum of 120 credit hours, which include the following requirements:
- University General Education Program Requirements
- Professional Education Coursework
- Approved Area of Concentration
- Additional Courses and Tests Required for State Licensure
- Program Completion Criteria
Required Professional Education Courses
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| EDFN-305 | Philosophical And Historical Foundations Of Public Education | 3 |
| Attend mandatory clinical information meeting and apply for Clinical Field Experiences | ||
| EDFN-306 | Education And Individual Differences | 3 |
| ELED-308 | Instructional Design | 3 |
| ELED-302 | Writing Intensive Program: Foundation Of Teaching The English Language Arts | 3 |
| SPED-382 | Strategies For Differentiating Instruction For Students With Exceptional Learning Needs | 3 |
| ELED-310 | Methods Of Teaching Mathematics In The Elementary Grades | 3 |
| ELED-313 | Literature And Literacy In The Content Areas | 3 |
| BLBC-340 | Teaching English Learners In Diverse Classrooms | 3 |
| BLBC-339 | Culturally Responsive Teaching in Diverse Classrooms | 3 |
| ELED-305 | Teaching Science In The Elementary School | 3 |
| ELED-328A | Clinical Experiences | 3 |
| ELED-304 | Inquiry-Based Social Studies In The Elementary Grades | 3 |
| ELED-306 | Methods Of Literacy Instruction | 3 |
| ELED-316 | Critical Issues In Education | 3 |
| ELED-328B | Clinical Experience In Elementary Education | 3 |
| ELED-329 | Student Teaching In Elementary Grades | 9 |
| Total Hours | 54 | |
ELIGIBILITY FOR LICENSURE & THE ELEMENTARY EDUCATION PROGRAM
To register for Block One courses in the ELED program, students must have declared their majors and met the requirements for licensure candidacy in the Goodwin College of Education. Students should meet with program advisors to plan their programs before taking EDFN-306 and complete the necessary procedures to declare their majors before or while enrolled in EDFN-306.
- Completion of a minimum of 60 hours or junior status
- Completion of EDFN-305 and EDFN-306 with grades of B or better
- NEIU Overall GPA of 2.5 or better
- Creation of an ELIS teacher licensure account, if one has not already been created, by visiting https://www.isbe.net/Pages/Educator-Licensure-Information-System.aspx.
Areas of Concentration
AREA OF CONCENTRATION – 11 CREDIT HOURS MINIMUM
Students may select an area of concentration with a minimum of 11 credit hours in a content area.
The above requirements apply to undergraduate transfer students and graduates of accredited universities (Second B.A. or TLP Programs). All students must consult with a Program Advisor in the Elementary Education Program.
ELEMENTARY EDUCATION PROFESSIONAL SEQUENCE WITH ADMISSION AND RETENTION REQUIREMENTS
Each block of courses must be completed before moving forward.
- A 3.0 GPA must be maintained in professional sequence coursework. Students whose program GPA falls below 3.0 will be allowed one (1) semester to take program courses in order to raise their GPA, but will not be allowed to proceed with clinical courses until they have done so.
- A 2.5 GPA must be maintained overall. (If GPA levels are not maintained, student will not be allowed to proceed through the program).
- Students must successfully complete each block of courses in order to move to the next block. All floating courses must be completed before student teaching.
Block 1
Complete ELED-308, SPED-382, ELED-310, and ELED-302 with an average GPA of 3.0.
- For approval to enroll in ELED-306 and ELED-328B, a disposition form with a rating of Satisfactory must be obtained from student’s instructor in ELED-308. A 2nd disposition form, also with a Satisfactory rating must be obtained from the student’s instructor of ELED-328B. See Program Advisor for more information.
- Attend mandatory clinical information meeting and apply for Clinical Field Experiences: clinical-experiences-and-student-teaching
- ELED-308 and ELED-302
Block 2
Complete BLBC-339, ELED 328A (with a grade of B or better), ELED-313 and ELED-305 (floating courses may be taken concurrently).
Attend mandatory Student Teaching Information meeting and apply for Student Teaching field placement: cestdept
block 3
Complete ELED-306, ELED-328B (with a grade of B or better), and ELED-316 (floating courses may be taken concurrently).
Pass the ILTS Content Area Examination, # 305.
All of the above requirements must be met before proceeding to student teaching.
Attend mandatory CEST student teaching orientation meeting.
block 4
Complete student teaching - ELED-329
Completion of edTPA in ELED 329 Student Teaching.
floating courses
The following floating courses may be taken any time after Block 1 and before Block 4: ELED 304: Inquiry-Based Social Studies in the Elementary Grades, and BLBC 340: Methods of Teaching English Learners.
licensure requirements
For students to be entitled by NEIU for the Illinois Professional Educator License (elementary grades 1-6), they must receive a “B” or better in student teaching and have passed the ILTS Elementary Grades Content Area Test # 305. To be licensed by the Illinois State Board of Education, students must pass the Teacher Performance Assessment (edTPA).
Prior to student teaching, all Elementary Education majors must complete a minimum of 200 clock hours of clinical experience to be eligible for licensure in the State of Illinois. These clinical experiences (completed concurrently with BLBC-339 and ELED-306) require placement in a public or private elementary school with a state-licensed teacher. To request placement for clinical experience, students must register in the Office of Clinical Experiences and Student Teaching (Please see the section Clinical Experiences, and Student Teaching in this catalog).
In order to be considered for Clinical Experiences, students must be admitted to Elementary Education Program. In addition, students must have completed courses in Block 1 (to take ELED 328A) and Block 2 (to take ELED 328B) and have a program GPA of 3.0 or higher.
To qualify for Student Teaching, students must maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.0 in the Professional Sequence and a 2.5 cumulative grade point average and have passed the ILTS Content Area Test. No required professional education course may be taken more than twice to achieve an acceptable grade. To be entitled for licensure by the State of Illinois, a student must earn a grade of “B” or better in Student Teaching.
exit REQUIREMENTS FOR DEGREE COMPLETION
- Successful completion of all NEIU General Education Requirements.
- Minimum credit hours for degree: 120 credit hours.
- Maintain cumulative GPA of 2.5.
- Maintain professional sequence GPA of 3.0.
- Evidence of passing ILTS Content Area Test in Elementary Education
- B Grade or better in Student Teaching
In addition to the successful completion of the Elementary Education major and area of concentration, students must complete the general education requirements for the College of Education. These requirements overlap with NEIU's General Education Requirements:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General Education Requirements | ||
| Fine Arts | 6 | |
Select 6 credit hours from the General Education Program List | ||
| Humanities | 9 | |
| Literatures And Literacies | ||
| 6 credit hours to be selected | ||
| Behavioral and Social Science | 12 | |
| United States History 1607-1877 | ||
or HIST-215 | United States History 1877-Present | |
| American National Government | ||
| World Geography | ||
| World History: East Asia | ||
| World History: Latin America | ||
| World History: Africa | ||
| World History: Islam | ||
| Introduction To Cultural Anthropology | ||
| Biological & Physical Sciences | 10 | |
| Introduction To Biology For Educators | ||
| Introduction To Earth Science | ||
| Chemical Concepts | ||
or PHYS-110 | Physics In Everyday Life | |
| Total hours | 37 | |
General Education Requirements which are not on the Gen Ed List
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ENGL-101 | Writing I 1 | 3 |
| ENGL-102 | Writing II 1 | 3 |
| CMTC-101 | Public Speaking 1 | 3 |
| or CMTC-202 | Voice and Diction | |
| MATH-149 & MATH-150 | Math For Elementary Teachers I and Math For Elementary Teachers II With Problem Solving | 9 |
| Total Hours | 18 | |
- 1
Must receive a grade of "C'' or higher.
EXIT REQUIREMENTS FOR LICENSURE
- Successful completion of Block 1-4 with evidence of passing score on the Teacher Performance Assessment (edTPA).
It is recommended to consult with your advisor at least once each semester.
This sample curricular map is provided to guide you in the planning of your progression for this major. This guide should not replace regular consultations with your program advisor. For specific recommendations of courses not identified, please consult your program advisor.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Term 1 | Hours | |
| ENGL-101 | Writing I | 3 |
| Fine Arts course | 3 | |
| Humanities course | 3 | |
| Area of Concentration Course | 3 | |
| Term Hours | 12 | |
| Term 2 | ||
| MATH-149 | Math For Elementary Teachers I | 4 |
| ENGL-102 | Writing II | 3 |
| HIST-214 or 215 | United States History 1607-1877 | 3 |
| CMTC-101 | Public Speaking | 3 |
| Term Hours | 13 | |
| Term 3 | ||
| Humanities course | 3 | |
| Area of concentration course | 3 | |
| Term Hours | 6 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Term 1 | ||
| MATH-150 | Math For Elementary Teachers II With Problem Solving | 5 |
| EDFN-305 | Philosophical And Historical Foundations Of Public Education | 3 |
| ENGL-205 | Literatures And Literacies | 3 |
| GES-104 | World Geography | 3 |
| Term Hours | 14 | |
| Term 2 | ||
| ESCI-121 | Introduction To Earth Science | 3 |
| PSCI-216 | American National Government | 3 |
| EDFN-306 | Education And Individual Differences | 3 |
| CHEM-110 or PHYS 110 | Chemical Concepts | 3 |
| Area of concentration course | 3 | |
| Term Hours | 15 | |
| Term 3 | ||
| Fine Arts | 3 | |
| Area of concentration course | 3 | |
| Term Hours | 6 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Term 1 | ||
| ELED-300 | Instructional Design In The 21st Century Classroom | 1.5 |
| SPED-317 | Inclusive Teaching Strategies | 1.5 |
| BIOS-110 | Introduction To Biology For Educators | 4 |
| ELED-302 | Writing Intensive Program: Foundation Of Teaching The English Language Arts | 3 |
| ELED-310 | Methods Of Teaching Mathematics In The Elementary Grades | 3 |
| BLBC-340 | Teaching English Learners In Diverse Classrooms | 3 |
| Term Hours | 16 | |
| Term 2 | ||
| BLBC-339 | Culturally Responsive Teaching in Diverse Classrooms | 3 |
| ELED-328A | Clinical Experiences | 3 |
| ELED-303 | Children's And Young Adult Literature | 1.5 |
| ELED-309 | Content Area Literacy | 1.5 |
| ELED-305 | Teaching Science In The Elementary School | 3 |
| EDFN-343 | Using Technology In Classrooms | 2 |
| ELED-304 | Inquiry-Based Social Studies In The Elementary Grades | 3 |
| Term Hours | 17 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Term 1 | ||
| ELED-306 | Methods Of Literacy Instruction | 3 |
| ELED-328B | Clinical Experience In Elementary Education | 3 |
| ELED-320 | Classroom Management | 1.5 |
| ELED-342 | Classroom Assessment | 1.5 |
| PEMT-235 | Teaching Physical And Health Education Concepts For Classroom Teachers | 3 |
| Term Hours | 12 | |
| Term 2 | ||
| ELED-329 | Student Teaching In Elementary Grades | 7.5 |
| EDFN-308 | Teaching And Learning | 1.5 |
| Term Hours | 9 | |
| Total Hours: | 120 | |