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About the B.S.Ed. - Major in Elementary Education
Teachers impact the lives of all students and have the opportunity to give back to their communities. NIU's education degree with major in elementary education, now offered in the Rockford-area, prepares students to teach in grades K-9, and qualifies graduates for a Type 03 Illinois Elementary Certificates. Applicants with their associate's degrees should have completed the required pre-elementary education major courses. Students will progress through the program in cohort groups. Course work is cross-disciplinary and moves from theory to practice. Students will build knowledge in many areas including child development, educational methods, assessment, and technology in teaching. Multiple field-based experiences with diverse populations allow students to apply skills and practice in a variety of school settings.Unique Features and Benefits of the Program
The B.S.Ed. with major in elementary education: allows students to take courses and participate in field-based experiences in the Rockford area. qualifies students for the Type 03, Elementary Certificate, preparing them to teach students in kindergarten through ninth grade. provides students with knowledge and skills through high-quality courses taught by NIU faculty.Academic Requirements
Undergraduate students must successfully complete 120 semester hours including general education requirements and attain a minimum 2.00 grade point average to graduate from NIU. Students in the B.S.Ed. with major in elementary education program must complete at least 52 upper-division semester hours and meet the following requirements: Methods course work in the following areas: Children's Literature Reading Mathematics Language Arts Social Studies Science A mix of clinical experiences, seminars, and student teaching. Course work in: Integrating Exceptional Students Philosophy of Education Outdoor Environmental Education Assessment Upper-division electives selected with advice and consent of the NIU adviser. Additional pre-elementary education course work taken at RVC may serve as transfer credit to fulfill NIU degree requirements. Students should consult with the adviser for transfer credit consent.Admission
For transfer students to gain admission to NIU's elementary education program, applicants must successfully complete the Illinois Certification Testing System (ICTS) Basic Skills Test and pre-elementary education course work at the community college level with at minimum cumulative 3.00 grade point average. Preference will be given to those who have completed associate's degrees and all pre-elementary education requirements. Individuals should apply to NIU and send all official transcripts. NIU will review all course work and provide an official evaluation, so students can see exactly what requirements have been fulfilled and what must be finished for an NIU degree. Students taking classes through the RVC-NIU dual admissions program are already on their way! This seamless transfer process lets students receive NIU credit for certain RVC courses. Updates on academic progress are provided so students can understand which RVC courses will transfer for credit to NIU. Admissions representatives can address the details. Call the NIU Office of Admissions at 1-800-892-3050.Cost
Tuition and fees vary by program. Consult the NIU Office of Admissions for current rates.
Course Location
Courses will be offered in the Rockford area at Rock Valley College's main and satellite locations or at NIU-Rockford.Contact
Individuals with program questions should call (815) 753-1619 and ask for information on the RVC-NIU Partnership Program in Elementary Education. Students may also consult the NIU Undergraduate Catalog (www.reg.niu.edu/ugcat/) or the Department of Teaching and Learning web site at www.cedu.niu/tlrn for complete course titles, descriptions, and additional information.