Elementary Education (B.S.Ed.)
Why Study Elementary Education at NIU?
Ready to become the elementary school teacher you loved as a child? Our bachelor’s degree in elementary education prepares you to teach in all subject areas to children in first- through sixth-grades. You’ll learn about child development, curriculum and instruction, classroom management, educational technology, special education, assessment, educational philosophy and psychology and more. Our how-to classes equip you to provide instruction in specific subject areas including reading and writing, mathematics, language arts, social studies and science. And you’re almost assured of acing the edTPA: 100% of Elementary Education undergraduates in spring 2019 passed the mandatory assessment required to obtain teacher licensure in Illinois and several other states.
Careers with an Elementary Education Degree
Your degree in elementary education provides you with the unique opportunity to make a difference by helping students to succeed in school, careers and life.
Elementary Education Occupational Outlook
Elementary Education Faculty
We provide an inclusive, engaging and supportive environment that inspires excellence. Our faculty prepare students to succeed and lead in their careers and communities through programs grounded in engaged learning experiences. Our innovative and effective instruction addresses the changing educational and professional needs of our students. Elementary Education faculty research include Black-Latino relations in public schools, literacy instruction of immigrant and non-native English speakers, the educational needs of English language learners, representations of diversity in picture books and motivation and strategy instruction in writing.
Hands-on Learning Opportunities
You’ll complete a series of hands-on clinical experiences that concludes with a semester-long student-teaching experience in a public elementary school. You’ll also enter the teaching field a step ahead of your peers. You have the flexibility to pick one of four emphasis areas, which can broaden your employment options. Three of the four emphases: Bilingual/ESL, Reading Teacher and Special Education, lead to an additional endorsement. The fourth emphasis, Elementary Mathematics Education, will help you meet the growing demand for math specialists in elementary and middle schools.
For unparalleled exposure to the classroom, check out our “Educate” series: Our Educate Local, Educate U.S. and Educate Global programs transport students throughout the northern Illinois region, across the country and around the world to observe, learn, teach and participate. You can apply what you have learned while we support your transition from student to professional.
Our Teacher Education and Certification House (TEACH House) residence hall floors helps build your career through activities, conferences, seminars and leadership skill development. You can learn professional skills, such as planning a field trip to the Brookfield Zoo.