Programs
Undergraduate
Early Childhood Education
This degree qualifies students to work with children from birth through third grade. This program is recommended for prospective teachers who want to teach in a preschool or nursery school setting or in kindergarten or primary grades. The early childhood major requires a concentration in one of the following areas: English/language arts, fine arts, foreign language, mathematics, science, or social studies. Successful completion of the program leads to the Illinois Type 04 Early Childhood Certificate.
Early Childhood /Elementary Education
Students who choose the Early Childhood/Elementary Education program will be qualified to work with children from birth through 9th grade. This program combines both the ECE and the ELE programs. Upon successful completion of the program students will earn BOTH the Illinois Type 04 Early Childhood Certificate and the Illinois Type 03 Elementary Certificate. Students in the ECE/ELE program choose one concentration from the following areas: English/language arts, fine arts, foreign language, mathematics, science, or social studies. Students may also earn the Middle School Endorsement by taking additional courses.
Elementary Education
This degree leads to the Type 03 Elementary certificate in Illinois, qualifying students to teach any grade from K–9 in a self-contained classroom. An endorsement composed of six semester hours of coursework is required for those who wish to teach middle school. The elementary major requires students to choose a concentration in one of the following areas: English/language arts, fine arts, foreign language, mathematics, science, or social studies.
Special / Elementary Education
The Special/Elementary Education program combines both the ELE and the LBSI programs. Students work with children from kindergarten through 9th grade as well as children between the ages of 3 and 21 who have special needs. Successful completion of the program leads to BOTH the Illinois Type 03 Elementary Certificate and the Illinois Type 10 LBSI Certificate. Students in this program will choose a concentration in one of the following areas: fine arts, foreign language, English/language arts, math, science, or social studies. The Middle School Endorsement and the Early Childhood Special Education Approval are both available to students who choose to take additional coursework.
Special Education
Students choosing to major in Special Education will major in the Learning Behavior Specialist I (LBSI) program.They will earn the Illinois Type 10 LBS ICertificate which qualifies individuals to teach children between the ages of three and 21 with a wide range of disabilities: LD, ED, Intellectual Disabilities, Autism, TBI, Orthopedic, and Other Health Impairments (not including vision or hearing). Additional course work is available to include an Early Childhood Special Education Approval with the LBS I certificate.
K-12 Programs
Individuals aspiring to teach music or art matriculate in the Slane College of Communication and Fine Arts. Degrees in the major are awarded through these colleges. The core courses required to teach at the K - 12 levels are taught through their major department and the Department of Teacher Education. Candidates have an advisor in their major as well as in the Department of Teacher Education.
Secondary Education
Students who choose the Secondary Education major maintain registration in the college offering selected subject matter preparation. Teaching areas include: English/Language Arts, Family and Consumer Science, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and History/Social Studies. That department provides preparation in the academic major, and the department of Teacher Education provides preparation in teaching pedagogy. Candidates will have an advisor in both their major area of preparation and the Department of Teacher Education.
Graduate
Certificate in Curriculum and Instruction
The program is designed to provide students graduate level course work that extends their learning experiences with respect to teacher education beyond what they have received in either their bachelor's or master's degree programs. The design is one in which the student will be taking courses that may later be included with additional course work leading to a full master's degree. The content of the program is to give students a core base of knowledge along with pedagogical content knowledge in a specified area of concentration. The program is not designed to replace or be a substitute for courses necessary for teacher certification or endorsements, but will allow teachers to pursue course work in content areas of interest to them without requiring them to commit to a full master's degree.
Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction
Bradley's graduate program in Curriculum and Instruction is designed to prepare students to accept greater responsibility in their roles as educational leaders and informed decision makers. This is accomplished by providing students the opportunity to add to their knowledge bases, increase their research skills, and inform their attitudes.
