Offered in: Chicago

The purpose of the Elementary Education program is to prepare capable, dedicated, and concerned teachers who are committed to the intellectual, emotional, social, and physical growth of school-aged children and youth. Students are encouraged to develop communication skills, content knowledge, observational skills, and sound teaching practices that they can apply to their work with diverse learners. Over the duration of the program, students develop a sense of themselves as professional educators who can act as change agents in their schools. Students who successfully complete the program earn a State of Illinois teaching license. With careful planning, students can add one or more of the following endorsements to their teaching license: Bilingual/ESL, Early Childhood, Special Education (LBS 1), Middle School, and Reading Teacher endorsements.

Prerequisites

Two introductory courses (6 credit hours) are required of all undergraduate majors in the Department of Education. These courses provide students with the opportunity to explore a variety of educational careers and foundational concepts and practices. All courses must be passed with grades of C- or higher to advance into the major.

Requirements

Students may begin major CORE courses in the Elementary Education program so long as they have a minimum 2.7 GPA in all undergraduate courses.

Students must maintain an overall GPA of at least 2.7 while enrolled in the education program. All methods courses must be passed with grades of C- or higher. Should a student fall below a 2.7 GPA, the program's faculty will review the student's eligibility to continue moving forward in the licensure program.

Student Teaching must be passed with a minimum C or higher.

Field experience & Student Teaching

Pedagogical and real-world training is at the center of undergraduate degree coursework. Consequently, all undergraduates in this program are required to enroll in one credit hour "Individualized Coaching and Field Experiences" courses in each of three semesters prior to their practicum or student teaching. A minimum of 100-150 hours of field experiences is required prior to student teaching.

In their Individualized Coaching courses, students will complete the field experiences needed to develop professional knowledge, skills, and dispositions in alignment with Roosevelt's social justice mission. As students progress from one Individualized Coaching course to another, they will take on tasks and responsibilities that are increasingly complex and challenging. These experiences will prepare students for success in the student teaching experiences that culminate the Elementary Education major and facilitate the awarding of an Illinois Professional Educator License.

Students who successfully complete a full year of paid tutoring (500 hours minimum) through Roosevelt’s Metropolitan Chicago Tutoring Corps can substitute their tutoring experience for enrollment in ELED 303 and ELED 328. Consequently, MCTC tutors are eligible to earn the BA degree with 37 credit hours of core courses. MCTC tutors who do not successfully complete the full year of tutoring (500 hours minimum) will be required to complete the traditional 39 credit hour degree program.  

Placement in student teaching sites is planned with consideration of professional standards and partnership schools and agencies. Student teaching placements are open only to students who have successfully completed the appropriate general education and professional education courses, content tests, and other Department of Education and admission to student teaching requirements. Placements in sites with diverse student populations are required. Students must make a formal application two semesters prior to the semester in which they plan to do their student teaching. Applicants are expected to be in good academic standing and must provide evidence of competency with regard to professional dispositions, including the passage of a criminal background check. Students should consult regularly with their advisor about the specific requirements for licensure and student teaching in Illinois.

In addition to the requirements outlined in this academic catalog, students in the Elementary Education program are obligated to become familiar with and comply with, all requirements outlined in the Initial Licensure Field Experience & Student Teaching Handbook in order to receive a passing grade for field experience and student teaching courses proceeding to licensure. Students enrolled in field experience and student teaching courses will receive the handbook from the Director of Field Placement.

Licensure requirements

In order to qualify for Roosevelt University’s recommendation for the Illinois teaching license and elementary endorsement, students must meet all general education requirements that are in effect at the time of their application.

Students must consult with their education advisor to determine which general education courses are acceptable toward fulfillment of licensure requirements. Because requirements for licensure, graduation, and continuing enrollment are subject to change, undergraduates must consult frequently with their education advisors. The advising plan developed at program admission provides the most up-to-date and authoritative information with respect to all program and licensure requirements.

One semester prior to student teaching, students must submit proof of passing the Elementary Education content exam that meets the state's criterion and have a minimum 2.7 GPA in all undergraduate courses. All courses must be passed with grades of C- or higher. Please contact the Department of Education for more information regarding the Elementary Education content exam criteria.

Before issuing a license, the Illinois State Board of Education also requires satisfactory scores on the Educator Teacher Performance Assessment Portfolio (edTPA).

CORE Requirements (General Education)

Your degree map is a general guide suggesting courses to complete each term on the academic pathway to your degree. It is based on the most current scheduling information from your academic program. Your program’s degree map is reviewed annually and updated as schedules change (although you retain the same course requirements as long as you are continuously enrolled in your degree program).

Always work closely with your academic advisor to understand curriculum requirements and scheduling, as each student’s academic plan can look slightly different.

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9 credit hours of humanities required.

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9 credit hours of social sciences required.

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 One Natural Science course must have a lab.

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Experiential Learning Course.

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Ideas Course

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Endorsement requirements vary. Please consult with advisor for information. 

If general elective is taken, it may be in any discipline. General electives may not fulfill program requirements. Consult with advisor for information.