2026-2027 Course Catalog

Source: https://catalog.illinois.edu/undergraduate/education/elementary-education-bs/ Parent: https://catalog.illinois.edu/undergraduate/

for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education

The Elementary Education, BS prepares teachers for grades one through six. A minimum of 120 semester hours is necessary for graduation.

Students pursuing teacher licensure programs in the College of Education must meet requirements in a series of sequential gateways. Included in the gateway requirements are successful completion of specified coursework, achievement of appropriate grade point averages, requirements for clinical experiences, and appropriate tests for the licensure area. Meeting all Gateway requirements leads to degree and licensure completion.

In order to be recommended for licensure, candidates are required to maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 (A=4.0). Candidates in teaching licensure programs must maintain a C- or better in ALL content and professional education coursework. For teacher education licensure requirements applicable to all curricula, see the Council on Teacher Education. Licensure requirements are subject to change without notice as a result of new mandates from the Illinois State Board of Education or the Illinois General Assembly.

for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education

Graduation Requirements

Minimum hours required for graduation: 120 hours.

Requirements for licensure: Minimum cumulative Grade Point Average of 2.5 (A=4.0); Receive a grade of C- or better in licensure coursework.

University Requirements

Minimum of 40 hours of upper-division coursework, generally at the 300- or 400-level. These hours can be drawn from all elements of the degree. Students should consult their academic advisor for additional guidance in fulfilling this requirement.

The university and residency requirements can be found in the Student Code (§ 3-801) and in the Academic Catalog.

General Education Requirements

Follows the campus General Education (Gen Ed) requirements. Some Gen Ed requirements may be met by courses required and/or electives in the program.

Course List

 | Code | Title | Hours |

| --- | --- | --- | | Composition I | | 4-6 | | Advanced Composition | | 3 | | fulfilled by EDUC 202 | | | | Humanities & the Arts (6 hours) | | 6 | | fulfilled by EDUC 202 and any other course approved as Humanities & the Arts | | | | Natural Sciences & Technology (6 hours) | | 6 | | fulfilled by Life Science & Physical Science Requirement | | | | Social & Behavioral Sciences (6 hours) | | 6 | | fulfilled by EPSY 201 and any other course approved as Social & Behavioral Science | | | | Cultural Studies: Non-Western Cultures (1 course) | | 3 | | Cultural Studies: US Minority Cultures (1 course) | | 3 | | fulfilled by EDUC 201 | | | | Cultural Studies: Western/Comparative Cultures (1 course) | | 3 | | Quantitative Reasoning (2 courses, one course must be a Quantitative Reasoning I) | | 6-10 | | fulfilled by MATH 103; MATH 117 or STAT 100 | | | | Language Requirement (Completion of the third semester or equivalent of a language other than English is required) | | 0-15 |

Major Requirements

Course List

 | Code | Title | Hours |

| --- | --- | --- | | College of Education Requirement | | | | EDUC 101 | Education Orientation Seminar | 1 |

Course List

 | Code | Title | Hours |

| --- | --- | --- | | College Algebra Standard Requirement | | | | All students must demonstrate proficiency of the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) college algebra standard upon matriculation, or enroll in college-level algebra. Refer to an academic advisor for more information. | | 0 or 3 | | MATH 112 | Algebra | | | Life & Physical Science Requirement | | | | Life Science course | | 3-4 | | Select any Gen Ed Natural Sciences & Technology - Life Science subcategory approved course | | | | Physical Science course | | 3-4 | | Select any Gen Ed Natural Sciences & Technology - Physical Science subcategory approved course | | |

Course List

 | Code | Title | Hours |

| --- | --- | --- | | Elementary Education Requirements | | | | CI 405 | Introduction to Teaching Elementary Age Children | 3 | | CI 406 | Theory Practice in Elementary School Teaching I | 3 | | CI 407 | Theory Practice in Elementary School Teaching II | 3 | | CI 415 | Language Varieties, Cultures and Learning | 3 | | CI 430 | Teaching Children Mathematics | 3 | | CI 432 | Investigative Approach to Elementary Mathematics Instruction | 3 | | CI 448 | Teaching Elementary Social Studies | 3 | | CI 450 | Teaching Elementary Science I | 3 | | CI 451 | Teaching Elementary Science II | 3 | | CI 452 | Social Studies as Action and Inquiry | 3 | | CI 467 | Principles in Teaching Literature to Children and Youth | 3 | | CI 475 | Teaching Elementary Reading and Language Arts I | 3 | | CI 476 | Teaching Elementary and Middle Grade Language Arts | 3 | | EDUC 201 | Identity and Difference in Education | 3 | | EDUC 202 | Social Justice, School and Society | 3 | | EDPR 250 | School & Community Experiences (Enrollment required for 0 hours and 4 hours two different semesters) | 4 | | EDPR 432 | Ed Prac in EC & ELED | 12 | | EPSY 201 | Educational Psychology | 3 | | FAA 202 | Artsful Teaching through Integ | 3 | | HK 263 | Children's Movement | 3 | | MATH 103 | Theory of Arithmetic | 4 | | MATH 117 | Elementary Mathematics | 3 or 4 | | or STAT 100 | Statistics | | | SPED 405 | General Educator's Role in Special Education | 3 |

for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education

Sample Sequence

This sample sequence is intended to be used only as a guide for degree completion. All students should work individually with their academic advisors to decide the actual course selection and sequence that works best for them based on their academic preparation and goals. Enrichment programming such as study abroad, minors, internships, and so on may impact the structure of this four-year plan. Course availability is not guaranteed during the semester indicated in the sample sequence.

Students must fulfill their Language Other Than English requirement by successfully completing a third level of a language other than English. For more information, see the corresponding section on the Degree and General Education Requirements page.

This sample sequence assumes that students will have demonstrated college algebra proficiency through high school or previous college coursework as required by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) upon matriculation, or students must enroll in MATH 112.

Total Hours: 120

for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education

1. Students will acquire deep knowledge of content in the field of Education.
2. Students will demonstrate awareness and application of the Illinois Culturally Responsive Teaching and Leading (CRTL) standards in their teacher preparation course work and field experiences.
3. Students will display the expectations of professionalism related to success in the field of education and beyond (fairness, commitment to collaboration, community, reflective practice, and attention to 21st century skills and practices).

for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education

College of Education

Education Building, 1310 S. Sixth Street, Champaign, IL 61820\ College of Education website

Department of Curriculum & Instruction

306 Education Building\ Department of Curriculum & Instruction email: ci@education.illinois.edu\ (217) 244-8286\ Department of Curriculum & Instruction website\ Department of Curriculum & Instruction faculty

Office of Undergraduate Programs

110 Education Building\ Education Academic Affairs email: saao@education.illinois.edu\ (217) 333-2800\ Admissions & Academics website\ Student Academic Affairs website