Elementary candidates are responsible for content knowledge in physical, life, and earth and space sciences as well as history, geography, civics and government, and economics in the social sciences. Candidates are advised to enroll in general education courses accordingly.
24 semester hours in the subject matter area of major teaching assignment (e.g., language arts, mathematics, general science, social science, music, etc.), which may include specific course designations in the content area, and does include the appropriate 2-hour middle school discipline-specific methods course and passing a state middle level content specific exam. Contact the Education Department for the specific middle grade endorsement requirements for English, Mathematics, Science, and Social Science.
In order to complete licensure, candidates must also take and pass the Illinois Test of Academic Proficiency (or receive a waiver), the Elementary/Middle Grades content area test, and pass the Teacher Performance Assessment (edTPA).
Student Teaching Prerequisites:
EDUC 496 Student Teaching (9 c.h.)
Prerequisites for elementary student teaching: EDUC 135, 136, 136L, 225, 225L, 305, 305L, 311, 311L, 312, 315, 317, MATH 125, SSCI 321, SCI 322, a minimum GPA of 2.5 in the major/professional education courses, and cumulatively, admission to WheTEP, a passing score on the Illinois Licensure Testing System Elementary content-area knowledge test, clearance through completion of a fingerprint and criminal background check (at the candidate’s expense), and the recommendation of the department.
- Prerequisites for secondary and special foreign language student teaching: EDUC 135, 136, 136L, 225, 225L, 305, 305L, a teaching methods course in the major, EDUC 324L, a minimum GPA of 2.5 in the major, in professional education courses, and cumulatively, admission to WheTEP, a passing score on the Illinois Licensure Testing System content-area test, clearance through completion of a fingerprint and criminal background check (at the candidate’s expense), and a recommendation from the department of their teaching area.
- Prerequisites for special music student teaching: EDUC 135, 136, 225, 225L, music teaching methods studies, EDUC 305, 305L, a minimum GPA of 2.5 in the major, in professional education courses, and cumulatively, admission to WheTEP, a passing score on the Illinois Licensure Testing System content-area test, clearance through completion of a fingerprint and criminal background check (at the candidate’s expense), and a recommendation from the Conservatory.
- Candidates are expected to take all 300- and 400-level education courses at Wheaton. Exceptions may be granted by the Department of Education. A candidate's teaching field is one in which s/he has sufficient hours to meet licensure requirements and for which s/he has obtained the recommendation of the Department. Candidates must have a major in a subject commonly taught in the public schools of Illinois.
Initial Elementary License
For Elementary Education Students, Grades 1-6
Along with specific requirements for any major, all students in the Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degree programs must meet all general education and graduation requirements under a single catalog.
Requirements for the Elementary Education major are 40 hours in education. Education courses include:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Major Requirements | ||
| EDUC 135 | School & Society | 2 |
| EDUC 136 | Teaching Ethnically and Linguistically Diverse Students (and EDUC 136L) | 2 |
| EDUC 225 | Learning and Development: The Psychological and Developmental Contexts of Education (and EDUC 225L) | 4 |
| EDUC 305 | Learning Differences (and EDUC 305L) | 2 |
| EDUC 311 | Theories and Methods of Teaching Elementary and Middle School Students (and EDUC 311L) | 2 |
| EDUC 312 | Theories and Methods: Elementary and Middle School Reading | 4 |
| EDUC 315 | Theories and Methods of Teaching Elementary and Middle School Mathematics | 4 |
| EDUC 317 | Theories and Methods of Teaching Elementary and Middle School Language Arts | 2 |
| EDUC 494 | Senior Seminar | 2 |
| EDUC 496 | Student Teaching (see more info on overview tab) | 9 |
| EDUC 497 | Philosophical Foundations of Education | 3 |
| MATH 125 | Mathematics for Elementary and Middle Grade Education | 4 |
| SSCI 321 | Elementary and Middle School Curricular Themes in the Social Sciences | 2 |
| SCI 322 | Elementary Grade Education Science Curriculum | 2 |
A minimum of 100 hours of clinical experiences is required prior to student teaching. This includes four required experiences: EDUC 136L, EDUC 225L, EDUC 305L and EDUC 311L. EDUC 405L or other experiences approved by the Department of Education may also count toward the 100 hours.
Elementary Education majors are strongly encouraged to complete a middle grade (grades 5-8) endorsement by enrolling in EDUC 405L. Candidates may earn additional endorsements for teaching in the middle grades (5-8) by completing the following requirements: