Our bachelor’s programs offer many choices, including early childhood education, elementary education, secondary education, and special education.  There are also many choices within these broader areas.

Interested? To apply for a place in one of these undergraduate programs, follow the University’s application procedures.

Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in 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 also requires a second major in liberal arts.  Students may choose a concentration from social studies, general science, or humanities.  Successful completion of the program leads to the Illinois Type 04 Early Childhood certificate.

Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education:  This degree leads to the Type 03 Elementary certificate in Illinois, qualifying students to teach any grade from K–9. An endorsement composed of six semester hours of coursework is required for those who wish to teach middle school. In addition to the education major, the student earns a second major in liberal arts.  The liberal arts majors are social studies, general science, or humanities.

Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Special Education:  Students majoring in special education have two options: Learning Behavior Specialist I (LBS I) program or the Learning Behavior Specialist I – Elementary Education (LBS I – ELED) program.  An Illinois Type 10 LBS I certification qualifies individuals to teach children between the ages of 3-21 with a wide range of disabilities: LD, ED, MR, Autism, TBI, Orthopedic, and Other Health Impairments (not including vision or hearing).  The LBS I – ELED program qualifies individuals for both an Illinois LBS I certificate and an Illinois Type 03 elementary certificate for teaching kindergarten through 9th grades.  Additional course work is required for teaching in the general education classroom at the middle school level.  Additional course work is available to include an Early Childhood Special Education Approval with the LBS I certificate.

Program Overview  ppt, pps, or pdf