Bachelor of Arts: Elementary Education
Do you have a passion for teaching grade school-aged children? Elementary education teachers focus on instructing children from the first through sixth grades, usually in art, language arts, math, music, physical education, reading, science and social studies. They typically teach several subjects to one classroom of students, although teachers may work together in teams.
Program Overview
First established in 1864 as Addison Teachers Seminary, Concordia University Chicago continues its proud legacy of educating teachers for private and public schools. A testament to the quality of our programs is that 13 CUC alumni have been recognized by the Golden Apple Foundation for outstanding teaching. All of our education programs exceed the requirements of the Illinois State Certification Board and meet rigorous national accreditation standards.
Hands-on experience in the classroom with students is a cornerstone of our program. You are required to earn at least 100 hours of field experience observing, assisting and teaching in K-8 schools. Our 16-week student teaching semester is four weeks longer than most programs, providing our graduates with additional experience and confidence.
General Course Information
Our elementary education curriculum is focused on teaching students to interact with others, to understand and adapt to new technology, and to employ logical reasoning. Methods courses are taught in all subject areas: language arts, math, science, social studies, art, music and physical education. Your coursework will teach you how to work with diverse populations, and how to think critically to solve problems that may arise in the classroom.
For details about required courses and course descriptions, please visit our online catalog pages.
Opportunities
Concordia’s location provides numerous opportunities for students to observe and teach in both public and private schools, and in special education and multicultural settings throughout Chicago and its suburbs.
We offer extensive graduate-level programs in education, with options for advanced degrees and additional certificates—supporting your professional development needs throughout your teaching career.