Elementary Education, A.A.
The Elementary Education A.A. degree offers comprehensive coursework and hands-on experiences designed to prepare you for a career as an elementary school teacher. Graduates will be equipped with the skills to create engaging lessons, support diverse learners, and foster a love of learning in children.
What Can You Do with a Degree in Elementary Education?
With this degree, you can pursue licensure to become an elementary school teacher,
working with students in grades K-6. You will be responsible for planning lessons,
delivering instruction, assessing student progress, and creating a supportive classroom
environment. This degree provides the foundational education necessary to launch a
rewarding career in elementary education and make a lasting difference in students'
lives.
The demand for qualified elementary school teachers remains strong across communities,
with a continued need for educators who can support student success and inclusion.
Graduates with an A.A. in Elementary Education can pursue licensure and teaching positions
in elementary schools, charter schools, and other educational settings. The field
offers stable employment opportunities and the chance to positively impact children's
academic and social development.
Suggested Curriculum
This curriculum suggests courses likely to apply to a major in Elementary Education
meeting the guidelines of the Illinois Articulation Initiative General Education Core.
Area A: Communication (9 credits)
- ENG 101 Composition I (C1 900) - with a grade of C or better
- ENG 102 Composition II (C1 901R) - with a grade of C or better
- COMM 101 Principles of Communication (C2 900)
Area B: Humanities and Fine Arts (9 credits)
Select three courses from the list for Area B with at least one course selected from humanities and one course from fine arts, including one English course numbered 200 or above. ART 131, ENG 243, HUMAN 101, or PHILO 205 recommended to meet the non-Western Cultures requirement at some senior institutions.
Area C: Mathematics (8 credits)
- MATH 200 Mathematics for Elementary Teaching I
- MATH 206 Mathematics for Elementary Teaching II (M1 903)
Area D: Physical and Life Sciences (7-8 credits)
Select one life science course and one physical science course from the list for Area D. One course must have a lab component. It is recommended that both courses have a lab for the Illinois teaching certificate.
Area E: Social and Behavioral Sciences (9 credits)
- HIST 201 U.S. History: 1492 to 1877 (S2 900) or
- HIST 202 U.S. History: 1877 to Present (S2 901)
- POLSC 140 Introduction to U.S. Government and Politics (S5 900)
- PSYCH 101 Introduction to Psychology (S6 900)
- ED 100 Foundations of American Public Education
- ED 101 Child Growth and Development
- ED 212 Exceptional Child
- ECED 103 Health, Safety, and Nutrition or
- HLTH 101 Health and Wellness
- PSYCH 202 Educational Psychology
- Additional science course (4)
- One academic discipline course, in the subject in which you plan to seek endorsement, selected in consultation with an advisor.
To teach young children (birth to grade 2) in Illinois public schools, teachers must be licensed by the State of Illinois. See the Illinois State Board of Education’s website for details on current licensure options. To transfer into an approved baccalaureate program in Early Childhood Education as a junior, students must complete a minimum of 60-semester credits. Since admission is competitive, completion of the courses recommended below does not guarantee admission. Community college students are strongly encouraged to complete an Associate in Arts degree prior to transfer. A minimum grade point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale is usually required for program admission.
*Note: Before enrolling in any additional courses with an ECED prefix at Prairie State College, consult the Transfer Guides at this webpage to determine the transferability of these courses. You need one course each from list in Area D above to meet common statewide requirements: one BIOL, one CHEM or PHYSI, and one ASTRO, GEOLO, or PHYSC.
Each college and university has its own major requirements and transfer policies. Consult the schools you are considering and a PSC advisor to discuss courses and their transferability.
Prairie State College provides a comprehensive array of resources designed to foster student success and well-being. These include disability support services, health and safety protocols, career development counseling, and personal support. Academic assistance is readily available through tutoring, advising, and library services, while transfer advising and campus security ensure a safe and seamless college experience. Additionally, the college offers various financial aid options to help students achieve their educational objectives.
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