Elementary Education with Professional Educator License (B.A.)

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Elementary Education (B.A.)

With Professional Educator License

Elementary school is an important time in the growth and development of children and young adolescents. As an elementary grades teacher, the support and guidance YOU provide will be essential to student achievement. At USF, you will find a welcoming community of learners eager to see you and your future students experience success!

Teacher candidates at USF grow in knowledge through a thoughtful combination of research-based practices and meaningful classroom experiences. Experienced faculty introduce a robust student-centered curriculum which provides opportunities for collaboration, mentoring and networking with education professionals in the surrounding community. You can count on the encouragement and shared expertise of passionate educators as you practice and master skills in authentic school settings.

While pursuing a teaching license in Elementary Education, you can easily add an endorsement in Bilingual Education, English as a Second Language (ESL), or Special Education to further meet the diverse needs of students you will serve. Teachers prepared at USF are highly employable, thanks to the College of Education’s excellent reputation for growing exceptional educators.

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The College of Education is not only a place that will fully equip each candidate to be the best teacher they can possibly be, but it is also a warm and loving family that truly wants individuals to reach their goals. I know, without a doubt, that if I ever have any questions or need extra guidance along the way, all of the faculty are more than happy to go the extra mile and assist. I wouldn’t change my experience for the world. I am grateful to everyone in the COE that has helped me achieve my dream of becoming a first-generation college graduate.

— Deyanira Magaña

‘22

WHAT CAN YOU DO WITH THIS DEGREE?

The Elementary Education program at USF prepares future educators to teach and reach students in grades 1–6 through time-tested methods and innovative strategies designed to engage all learners. As an excellent educator with a true teacher’s heart, you will grow to understand students, serve the community and find your professional self. Each day you will work to motivate, encourage, mentor, comfort, reassure, and inspire children. You will leave USF fully prepared to initiate positive change and shape the future of our communities and our world.

GROW THROUGH REAL-WORLD EXPERIENCE

As an Elementary Education major at USF, you can enroll in practical field experiences each semester. Teacher candidates begin interacting with students as early as freshman year, providing more real-world experience than a traditional student teaching model. You can expect to assist with classroom routines, help individual students, oversee groups, and assess student work to support the classroom environment. School-based practica in purposeful settings will broaden your teacher preparation experience. The program concludes with a year-long internship in elementary classrooms where you will have the opportunity to apply knowledge and further refine your teaching skills in a carefully supervised setting.

ACCREDITATIONS

The University of St. Francis is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), a regional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, and is authorized to operate as a post-secondary institution by the Illinois Board of Higher Education (ibhe.org). College of Education programs are further approved by the Illinois State Board of Education (isbe.net).

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