• Bachelor of Science
Teacher Certification: Grades Kindergarten - Grade 9
(Type 03 certification) in the State of Illinois
Teachers at the elementary level teach all subject areas, and those teaching at the middle grade level teach specific subjects which require subject area endorsements.
During the first year at SIUE, students focus on general education courses that expand knowledge of the subject areas they will teach children. During the second year, students begin studying professional education courses to develop a broad understanding of children, the field of education, and life in schools. The program begins each fall for students with junior or higher status and comprises four semesters (two academic years) of course work and public school-based experiences at multiple grade levels. In the program, students spend at least 50 percent of course time working in public schools prior to full-time student teaching. This extensive field experience, combined with a closely supervised cohort system to support students, enables them to develop expertise in creating classroom environments in which children and young adolescents can learn and thrive.
Graduates of the Elementary Education program may work in school settings from Kindergarten through grade 8. Some graduates apply their knowledge of teaching and learning in educational settings outside formal schools (museums, businesses, etc.).
