Degree Requirements
I. Professional Education Courses for Initial Elementary (K-9) Certification
Requirements: Fingerprint background check and attendance at Protecting All God’s Children workshop.
| 05-240 | Instructional Methods, K-9, with Field Experiences I (50 field experience hrs.) | 3 |
| 05-244 | Differentiating Instruction in the Elementary Classroom | 3 |
| 05-300 | Classroom Management with Field Experience II (50 field experience hrs.) | 1 |
| 05-301 | Educational Psychology | 3 |
| 53-304 | Technology for Teaching and Learning | 3 |
| 55-321 | Curriculum and Instruction in the Middle School | 3 |
| 05-340 | Methods of Teaching Science and Health, K-9 | 3 |
| 05-352 | Methods of Teaching Mathematics, K-9 | 3 |
| 05-353 | Methods of Teaching Early Reading and Literacy Instruction, P-3 | 3 |
| 05-354 | Methods of Teaching Social Studies and Multicultural Education, K-9 | 3 |
| 54-357 | Exceptional Learners in Inclusive Communities | 3 |
| 53-360 | History and Philosophy of Education | 3 |
| 05-400 | Teaching English Language Learners with Field Experience III (75 field experience hrs.) | 1 |
| 05-409 | Child and Adolescent Literature and the Fine Arts | 3 |
| 05-410 | Classroom Assessment and Intervention | 3 |
| 05-471 | Methods of Teaching Intermediate Literacy Instruction, 4-9 | 3 |
| 05-480 | Elementary Student Teaching | 9 |
II. Recommended Elective and/or required general education courses for Elementary Certification
| 51-310 | Teaching English Language Learners in P-12 Schools | 3 |
| 13-125 | Modern Algebra for Elementary School Teachers | 3 |
| 13-130 | Mathematics for Elementary School Teachers | 3 |
| 13-140 | Geometry for Elementary School Teachers | 3 |
| 09-111 | Survey of United States History to 1876 | 3 |
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| OR | |
| 09-112 | Survey of United States History Since 1876 | 3 |
A candidate can take 17-120 and 17-121 OR 02-122 and 02-123.
| 17-120 | Integrated Science I | 3 |
| 17-121 | Integrated Science I Lab | 1 |
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| OR | |
| 02-122 | Integrated Science II | 3 |
| 02-123 | Integrated Science II Lab | 1 |
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| PLUS one additional three hour science course | |
The state requirements for middle school endorsement are infused in Lewis approved elementary education courses.
III. Elementary majors are required to complete an 18-hour concentration in an academic area. Some of the 18 hours may count toward the General Education requirements.
A complete listing of general education requirements is located in the General Education Information Section.
Please note the requirement of these courses for elementary education majors: 13-125, Modern Algebra for the Elementary School Teacher 13-130, Mathematics for Elementary School Teachers 13-140, Geometry for Elementary School Teachers 09-111, Survey of United States History to 1876 OR 09-112, Survey of United States History Since 1876 17-120 and 17-121 Integrated Science I and Lab OR 02-122 and 02-123 Integrated Science II and Lab PLUS one additional three hour science course.
IV. Advanced Writing: 05-471, Methods of Teaching Intermediate Literacy Instruction, 4-9 fulfills part of the advanced writing requirement and 05-480, Elementary Student Teaching, fulfills the remainder of the advanced writing requirement for majors.
“Candidate” refers to individuals admitted to Lewis University’s College of Education. “Student” refers to children and adolescents in P-12 schools.
V. Candidates complete 175 hours of field experience as part of the coursework in the Elementary Education Program.
All candidates must successfully pass the Illinois Basic Skills Test or Test of Academic Proficiency (TAP) before they will be allowed to take education courses. Field experience courses include Instructional Methods, K-9, with Field Experience 1 (05-240) (50 hours), Classroom Management with Field Experience 2 (05-300) (50 hours) and Teaching English Language Learners with Field Experience 3 (05-400) (75 hours). A 2.75 GPA is required for all education courses. Assignment to the field experience sites is arranged by the College of Education. Experiences are designed to include public and private school assignments and primary, intermediate and middle school experiences. Candidates are responsible for providing their own transportation to field experience sites. Field experience assignments are generally within a 25 mile radius of Lewis’ main campus. Field experience hours completed at other institutions will be evaluated by the Department Chair to determine whether or not the hours can be transferred. Candidates must pass Content Test 110 during the semester prior to student teaching.
VI. Student Teaching
Application for admission to student teaching must be filed by September 30 of the year prior to the planned student teacher experience. Procedures and requirements for admission to student teaching are published in the Guide for Initial Teacher Certification Program Candidates . This publication is available on Blackboard. All candidates are responsible for the information contained in this Guide. Evidence of successful completion of the appropriate State of Illinois content area test must be received in the College of Education at least 30 days prior to the beginning of the student teaching semester in order to be allowed to student teach. Student teaching in the elementary major requires candidates to complete a 15-week placement in an elementary (K-8) education setting. Candidates are responsible for providing their own transportation while student teaching. Placements are generally within a 25 mile radius of Lewis’ main campus. Official documentation of a negative TB test must be filed prior to student teaching. The Assessment of Professional Teaching Test must be successfully completed before entitlement for certification will be sent to the state.