Elementary Education Programs

The goal of each Elementary Education programs is to prepare knowledgeable and competent practitioners dedicated to serving the educational needs of all K-6 learners.

Programs

The Department of Education Studies offers five Elementary Education programs:

1. Bachelor’s of Science in Elementary Education + State of Illinois Professional Educators Licensure (PEL)
2. Bachelor’s of Science in Elementary Education (Non Licensure)
3. Post Baccalaureate in Elementary Education (Licensure Non-Degree)
4. Master of Arts in Teaching Elementary Education + State of Illinois Professional Educators Licensure (PEL)
5. Post Baccalaureate Elementary Education (Licensure Non-Degree)

Bachelor’s of Science in Elementary Education + State of Illinois Professional Educators Licensure (PEL)

Completion of the Bachelor’s of Science in Elementary Education degree qualifies candidates for an Initial Illinois Educator License. Candidates may qualify for additional endorsements after a transcript review by the Office of Teacher Licensure.

Candidates must take an Illinois Licensure Testing System examination and receive a passing score on the edTPA portfolio to complete the program. The Elementary Education program meets Illinois State Board of Education and Illinois Teaching Standards in the designated content areas.

General Requirements for the Bachelor of Science Program in Elementary Education with Licensure

• Students are responsible for meeting the program and College requirements, in effect at the time they officially register, in a program leading to licensure at Chicago State University regardless of when they were admitted to the University.
• Admission to the degree program is contingent upon good academic standing and acceptance by the department.
• Formal admission to the College of Education as a degree-seeking student in a pre-professional program is based on current COE requirements.
• No more than two grades of C may be applied toward the degree.
• A full academic schedule of courses for undergraduate students is fifteen semester credit hours.
• Candidates must abide by all College policies stated in this catalog, unless exceptions are processed through established department, college and university procedures, documented in writing.
• Completion of all program completion requirements, including the Candidate Work Sample Capstone Project, must be completed within six years.

Admission Requirements

• Open Admission – No entrance examinations are required.

Program Completion Requirements

• General program completion requirements include: 1) completing an application for graduation with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 in all required courses that meet General Education requirements, 2) a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 for courses that meet the Concentration Requirements, 3) a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 in all required and elective courses in professional education and the designated content area; and 4) as well as completion of the following addition licensure requirements:
  • Pre-clinical and clinical fieldwork forms documenting 100 clock hours are submitted to the Office of Field Placement. A summer practicum can be completed to make up missing field hours.
  • Field Practicum and Student Teaching Clinical Experiences successfully completed.
  • All College of Education and Program Assessments submitted in the LiveText by Watermark courseware domain; including the Candidate Work Sample (edTPA) Capstone Project and Professional Portfolio.

Illinois State Board of Education licensure examination / assessments, including the Content Area Test must be completed in the discipline. Proof of passing must be submitted to the academic program by the announced due dates PRIOR to receiving permission to register for the final Student Teaching clinical experience course.

• Spring Semester Student Teaching – October 15th in the prior Fall Semester as part of the Application for Student Teaching Process.
• Fall Semester Student Teaching – March 15th * in the prior Spring Semester as part of the Application for Student Teaching Process
  * Extensions to June 30th can be granted with program approval.
• All requirements are met for state licensure as mandated by the Illinois State Board of Education, in consultation with the Office of Teacher Licensure.

General Education Prerequisites:

General education courses may be completed with the Undergraduate degree chosen by the candidate and may be transferred to meet program requirements. Students are required to take any General Education courses required for licensure that are not completed as a part of the student’s undergraduate program.

Concentration (12 semester hours)

There are three options available as noted below:

• English as Second Language (12 credits)
  [Please note: you need 18 credits to be awarded the ESL Endorsement along with your Initial Professional Educator License (PEL)]

 

• Bilingual Education (12 credits)
  [Please note: you need 21 credits to be awarded the BIL Endorsement along with your Initial Professional Educator License (PEL)]

 

An additional Illinois Licensure Testing Service Language Test is required as well. Please consult with the Office of Teacher Licensure for specific details.

PreK-12 Education Options (12 credits)
Courses are chosen with approval from the program for any of these domain / concentration areas: Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, English/Language Arts, Creative Arts, Psychology, Technology and other approved areas in consultation with the Office of Teacher Licensure.

Professional Education (60 semester hours; fieldwork 240 hours; minimum 3.0 GPA)
ED 1500	ED 1520	ED 4312
ED 2000	PSYC 2020	ELED 3010
READ 3700	SPED 4301	PE 2040
READ 4114*	ED 4100*	ELED 4111*
ELED 4112*	ELED 4110*	ELED 4113*
SED 4303*	READ 4160*	ESL 4120*
ELED 4115*	ELED 4116*

Restricted to students admitted to the College of Education.

All professional courses require a grade of B or above as transfer credit or completed at Chicago State University.

Bachelor’s of Science in Elementary Education (Non Licensure)

Completion of the Bachelor’s of Science in Elementary Education Non Licensure degree does not qualify candidates for an Initial Illinois Educator License. Candidates may qualify for additional endorsements after a transcript review by the Office of Teacher Licensure. The Elementary Education program meets Illinois State Board of Education and Illinois Teaching Standards in the designated content areas. 

General Requirements for the Bachelor of Science Program in Elementary Education with Licensure

• Students are responsible for meeting the program and College requirements in effect at the time they officially register in a program leading to licensure at Chicago State University regardless of when they were admitted to the University.
• Admission to the degree program is contingent upon good academic standing and acceptance by the department.
• Formal admission to the College of Education as a degree-seeking student in a pre-professional program is based on current COE requirements.
• No more than two grades of C may be applied toward the degree.
• A full academic schedule of courses for undergraduate students is fifteen semester credit hours.
• Candidates must abide by all College policies stated in this catalog, unless exceptions are processed through established department, college and university procedures, documented in writing.
• Completion of all program completion requirements, including the Candidate Work Sample Capstone Project, must be completed within six years.

Admission Requirements 

• Open Admission – No entrance examinations required.

Program Completion Requirements

• General program completion requirements include completing an application for graduation with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 in all required courses that meet General Education requirements, a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 for courses that meet the Concentration Requirements, and a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 in all required and elective courses in professional education and the designated content area; as well as completion of the following addition licensure requirements:
  • Pre-clinical and clinical fieldwork forms documenting 100 clock hours are submitted to the Office of Field Placement. A summer practicum can be completed to make up missing field hours.
  • Field Practicum and Student Teaching Clinical Experiences successfully completed.
  • All College of Education and Program Assessments submitted in the LiveText by Watermark courseware domain; including the Candidate Work Sample (edTPA) Capstone Project and Professional Portfolio.

Illinois State Board of Education licensure examination / assessments, including the Content Area Test in the discipline. Proof of passing must be submitted to the academic program by announced due dates PRIOR to permission given to register for the final Student Teaching clinical experience course.

• Spring Semester Student Teaching – October 15th in the prior Fall Semester as part of the Application for Student Teaching Process
• Fall Semester Student Teaching – March 15th * in the prior Spring Semester as part of the Application for Student Teaching Process
  * Extensions to June 30th can be granted with program approval.

• All requirements are met for state licensure as mandated by the Illinois State Board of Education, in consultation with the Office of Teacher Licensure.

General Education Prerequisites:

General education courses may be completed with the Undergraduate degree the candidate has completed and may be transferred to meet program requirements. Students are required to take any General education courses required for licensure which were not completed as a part of the student’s undergraduate program.

 

A grade of C or better will count towards completion of requirements. Minimum General Education GPA of 2.5 is required for program completion. 

Concentration (12 semester hours)

There are three options available as noted below:

• English as Second Language (12 credits)
  [Please note: you need 18 credits to be awarded the ESL Endorsement along with your Initial Professional Educator License (PEL)]

 

• Bilingual Education (12 credits)
  [Please note: you need 21 credits to be awarded the BIL Endorsement along with your Initial Professional Educator License (PEL)]

 

 Additional Illinois Licensure Testing Service Language Test is required as well. Please consult with the Office of Teacher Licensure for specific details.

PreK-12 Education Options (12 credits)
Courses are chosen with approval from the program for any of these domain / concentration areas: Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, English/Language Arts, Creative Arts, Psychology, Technology and other approved areas in consultation with the Office of Teacher Licensure.

Professional Education (60 semester hours; fieldwork 240 hours; minimum 3.0 GPA)

Required Professional Education Courses (25 credits)
ED 1500	ED 1520	ED 4312
ED 2000	PSYC 2020	ELED 3010
READ 3700	SPED 4301	PE 2040

Disciplinary Concentration / Designation Area Courses (35 credits)
Students may choose from a list of electives or other courses approved by the program in a minimum of two disciplines / concentration designation areas.

• Recommended elective courses include: READ 4114*; ED 4100*; ELED 4111*; ELED 4112*; ELED 4110*; ELED 4113*; SED 4303*; READ 4160*; ESL 4120*; ELED 4115*; or other elective professional education / content area courses approved by the program.

(*) Restricted to students admitted to the College of Education.

All professional courses require a grade of B or above as transfer credit or completed at Chicago State University. 

Post Baccalaureate in Elementary Education (Licensure Non-Degree)

Completion of the Post Baccalaureate in Elementary Education program qualifies candidates with an previously completed Baccalaureate degree for an Initial Illinois Educator License. Candidates may qualify for additional endorsements after a transcript review by the Office of Teacher Licensure.

Candidates must take a Illinois Licensure Testing System examination and receive a passing score non the edTPA portfolio to complete the program. The Elementary Education program meets Illinois State Board of Education and Illinois Teaching Standards in the designated content areas.

General Requirements for the Post-Baccalaureate Program in Elementary Education with Licensure

• Students are responsible for meeting the program and College requirements in effect at the time they officially register in a program leading to licensure at Chicago State University regardless of when they were admitted to the University.
• Admission to the degree program is contingent upon good academic standing and acceptance by the department.
• Formal admission to the College of Education as a degree-seeking student in a pre-professional program is based on current COE requirements.
• Program completion requirements include a minimum of 33 credit hours of the student’s course work completed at the 5000-level; including courses identified to meet content area designation requirements, as approved by the program in consultation with the department for the specified content area designation.
• No more than two grades of C may be applied toward the degree.
• A full academic schedule of courses for graduate students is nine semester credit hours (6 hrs. during summer). Exceptions to this policy may be made only with the approval of the department.
• Candidates must abide by all College policies stated in this catalog, unless exceptions are processed through established department, college and university procedures, documented in writing.
• Completion of all program completion requirements, including the Candidate Work Sample Capstone Project, must be completed within six years.

Admission Requirements 

• Provide two transcript(s) as evidence of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university, and that the final 60 credit hours of undergraduate and/or graduate courses demonstrate a minimum GPA of 3.0.
• Credit towards required courses in the program will only be awarded for grades of C or higher.
• Submit proof that undergraduate coursework meets a minimum grade of C threshold in the following general education requirements:
  • Three credit hours in each of composition II, speech, college-level mathematics, Art Appreciation, Music Appreciation, Political Science, U.S. History, Geography, biological science, physical science, earth/space science (at least one science course must include a laboratory). General Education course requirements for licensure are subject to change by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE). Contact the Office of Teacher Licensure for more information. One course which incorporates multicultural or global perspectives.

Program Completion Requirements

• General program completion requirements include completing an application for graduation with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 in all required and elective courses in professional education and the designated content area; as well as completion of the following addition licensure requirements:
  • Pre-clinical and clinical fieldwork forms documenting 100 clock hours are submitted to the Office of Field Placement. A summer practicum can be completed to make up missing field hours.
  • Field Practicum and Student Teaching Clinical Experiences successfully completed.
  • All College of Education and Program Assessments submitted in the LiveText by Watermark courseware domain; including the Candidate Work Sample (edTPA) Capstone Project and Professional Portfolio.

Illinois State Board of Education licensure examination / assessments, including the Content Area Test in the discipline. Proof of passing must be submitted to the academic program by announced due dates PRIOR to permission given to register for the final Student Teaching clinical experience course.

• Spring Semester Student Teaching – October 15th in the prior Fall Semester as part of the Application for Student Teaching Process
• Fall Semester Student Teaching – March 15th * in the prior Spring Semester as part of the Application for Student Teaching Process
  * Extensions to June 30th can be granted with program approval.

• All requirements are met for state licensure as mandated by the Illinois State Board of Education, in consultation with the Office of Teacher Licensure.

General Education Prerequisites:

General education courses may be completed with the Undergraduate degree the candidate has completed and may be transferred to meet program requirements. Students are required to take any General education courses required for licensure which were not completed as a part of the student’s undergraduate program.

 

A grade of C or better will count towards completion of requirements. Minimum General Education GPA of 2.5 is required for program completion.

Concentration (12 semester hours)

There are three options available as noted below:

• English as Second Language (12 credits)
  [Please note: you need 18 credits to be awarded the ESL Endorsement along with your Initial Professional Educator License (PEL)]

 

• Bilingual Education (12 credits)
  [Please note: you need 21 credits to be awarded the BIL Endorsement along with your Initial Professional Educator License (PEL)]

An additional Illinois Licensure Testing Service Language Test is required as well. Please consult with the Office of Teacher Licensure for specific details.

• PreK-12 Education Options (12 credits)
  Courses are chosen with approval from the program for any of these domain / concentration areas: Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, English/Language Arts, Creative Arts, Psychology, Technology and other approved areas in consultation with the Office of Teacher Licensure.

Professional Education (60 semester hours; fieldwork 240 hours; minimum 3.0 GPA)

ED 1500; ED 1520; ED 4312/5312; ED 2000/5000; PSYC 2020/5300; ELED 3010; READ 3700; SPED 4301/5301; PE 2040; READ 4114/5114*; ED 4100/5100*; ELED 4111/5111*; ELED 4112/5112*; ELED 4110/5110*; ELED 4113/5113*; SED 4303/5303*; READ 4160/5160*; ESL 4120/5120*; ELED 4115/5115*; ELED 4116/5116*.

Restricted to students admitted to the College of Education.

All professional courses require a grade of B or above as transfer credit or completed at Chicago State University.

PLEASE NOTE: There are other non-degree options available for certified teachers who wish to add additional endorsements to their initial professional educator licensure. Please visit the Office of Teacher Licensure for more information.

Master of Arts in Teaching Elementary Education + State of Illinois Professional Educators Licensure (PEL)

Completion of the Master of Arts in Elementary Education degree qualifies candidates for an Initial Illinois Educator License. Candidates may qualify for additional endorsements after a transcript review by the Office of Teacher Licensure.

Candidates must take an Illinois Licensure Testing System examination and receive a passing score on the edTPA portfolio to complete the program. The Elementary Education program meets Illinois State Board of Education and Illinois Teaching Standards in the designated content areas.

General Requirements for MAT in Elementary Education with Licensure

• Students are responsible for meeting the program and College requirements in effect at the time they officially register in a program leading to licensure at Chicago State University regardless of when they were admitted to the University.
• Admission to the degree program is contingent upon good academic standing and acceptance by the department.
• Formal admission to the College of Education as a degree-seeking student in a pre-professional program is based on current COE requirements.
• Graduation requirements include a minimum of 33 credit hours of the student’s course work completed at the 5000-level; including courses identified to meet content area designation requirements, as approved by the program in consultation with the department for the specified content area designation.
• No more than two grades of C may be applied toward the degree.
• A full academic schedule of courses for graduate students is nine semester credit hours (6 hrs. during summer). Exceptions to this policy may be made only with the approval of the department.
• Candidates must abide by all College policies stated in this catalog, unless exceptions are processed through established department, college and university procedures, documented in writing.
• Completion of all master’s degree requirements, including the Candidate Work Sample Capstone Project, must be completed within six years.

Admission Requirements 

• Provide two transcript(s) as evidence of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university, and that the final 60 credit hours of undergraduate and/or graduate courses demonstrate a minimum GPA of 3.0.
• Credit towards required courses in the program will only be awarded for grades of C or higher.
• Submit proof that undergraduate coursework meets a minimum grade of C threshold in the following general education requirements:
  • Three credit hours in each of composition II, speech, college-level mathematics, Art Appreciation, Music Appreciation, Political Science, U.S. History, Geography, biological science, physical science, earth/space science (at least one science course must include a laboratory). General Education course requirements for licensure are subject to change by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE). Contact the Office of Teacher Licensure for more information at https://www.csu.edu/collegeofeducation/licensure.htm.
  • One course which incorporates multicultural or global perspectives.

Program Completion and Graduation Requirements

• General program completion and graduation requirements include completing an application for graduation with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 in all required and elective courses in professional education and the designated content area; as well as completion of the following addition licensure requirements:
  • Pre-clinical and clinical fieldwork forms documenting 100 clock hours are submitted to the Office of Field Placement. A summer practicum can be completed to make up missing field hours.
  • Field Practicum and Student Teaching Clinical Experiences successfully completed.
  • All College of Education and Program Assessments submitted in the LiveText by Watermark courseware domain; including the Candidate Work Sample (edTPA) Capstone Project and Professional Portfolio.

Illinois State Board of Education licensure examination / assessments, including the Content Area Test in the discipline. Proof of passing must be submitted to the academic program by announced due dates PRIOR to permission given to register for the final Student Teaching clinical experience course.

• Spring Semester Student Teaching – October 15th in the prior Fall Semester as part of the Application for Student Teaching Process
• Fall Semester Student Teaching – March 15th * in the prior Spring Semester as part of the Application for Student Teaching Process
  * Extensions to June 30th can be granted with program approval.

• All requirements are met for state licensure as mandated by the Illinois State Board of Education, in consultation with the Office of Teacher Licensure.

General Requirements

Students must complete the following:

• General Education - 48 credit hour
• Professional Education - 54 credit hours

Professional Education (58 credit hours)
Please note: A minimum of 33 credit hours must be completed at the 5000-level.

ED 4312/5312, READ 3700, PSYC 2020/5300, S ED 4301/5301, PE 2040, ED 5100, READ 5160, ELED 5110*, ELED 5111*, ELED 5112*, ELED 5113*, READ 5114*, ED 5960*;
S ED 5303*, ESL 5120*, ELED 5115*, ELED 5116*.

All required courses must be passed with at least a grade of C. Minimum G.P.A. of 3.0 required in Professional Education course work.

Restricted to students admitted to the College of Education.

Additional Professional Education Courses Leading to Endorsements (Optional)

Candidates are encouraged to consider optional coursework, as appropriate, to have additional endorsement credits attached to your initial professional educator license (PEL) at the point of program completion. Options include English as Second Language (ESL), Bilingual Education (BIL), Middle Level Education (MIDL) and a whole range of PreK-12 concentrations / content area designations. Consult with the Office of Teacher Licensure for more information.