About the Program
The Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood and Elementary Education (ECL) is intended for students wanting to work with children in birth through grade 6 settings. Through the program, you’ll earn a Professional Educator License (PEL) with Early Childhood and Elementary Education endorsements. This major allows for opportunities to earn subsequent endorsements in ESL/Bilingual and/or Special Education, as well. The Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood and Elementary Education is offered in two formats: (1) a fully online program and (2) a blended program.
Program Highlights
Flexible Class Schedule
Choose between our fully online or blended program options. The blended option combines online coursework with occasional meetings on campus. You can fit classes around your busy schedule.
Hands-On Learning
Field experiences are built into the curriculum throughout the program, allowing you to work in classrooms with PreK-K, K-2nd, and 3rd-6th grade students. You'll get regular feedback from coaches and teaching mentors and apply what you learn in courses to your teaching experience.
Customized Degree
Boost your degree by adding a concentration in ESL or Bilingual Education. You can also concentrate in Special Education, as well.
Professional Credentials
Earn your Illinois Professional Educator's License (PEL) by the end of the program. You'll also be eligible endorsements in ESL/Bilingual Education, Special Education, and as a Learning Behavioral Specialist I (LBS I).
What You'll Learn
The ECL curriculum will provide you with a solid foundation in child development, methods of teaching and concepts in early childhood and elementary education necessary for supporting the education of students ages birth through 6th grade. Topics include best practices in curriculum, assessment techniques, culturally relevant pedagogy, methods of teaching in literacy, math, science and social studies, equity-informed practice, and other relevant topics.
Upon completion of the B.A. in Early Childhood and Elementary Education, you'll be able to:
- Develop appropriate learning outcomes and design activities to meet diverse learner needs, including students with special needs and diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
- Develop a variety of assessments and explain how you will use them to anticipate varied ways students might perform, make accommodations, monitor student progress, and adjust and evaluate instruction.
- Demonstrate respectful and responsive interactions with students that motivate, support, and advance students’ development and learning.
- Establish a culture of appropriately high expectations for student learning and behavior and design a classroom environment that allows all students to be successful.
- Engage all students in content learning through effective instructional discourse, use of appropriate technologies, ongoing performance monitoring, flexibility, and adaptability to support students’ behavior and advance their learning.
- Use knowledge of human development and learning to interpret a variety of assessments to inform your instruction and provide meaningful feedback.
- Use feedback from a variety of stakeholders to develop professional learning goals and identify appropriate professional activities to continuously improve your practice.
- Demonstrate the capacity to collaborate effectively and ethically with colleagues, families, and community members to promote positive and inclusive learning for all students.
Career Outlook
The growth rate for Kindergarten and Elementary school teaching jobs is expected to increase 7% between 2020 and 2030, keeping pace with the average growth rate for all occupations.* Moreover, the number of preschool teaching positions are expected to increase 18% during this time, well above the average growth rate.*** Additionally, the Illinois State Board of Education reported nearly 300 elementary school teaching positions went unfilled in 2021,** meaning the demand for these teachers is especially high in state.
A B.A. in Early Childhood and Elementary Education could also set you up for these fast-growing careers:
Childcare Worker +8%
Special Education Teacher +8%
Preschool and Childcare Center Director +11%
School Counselor +11%
School Principal +8%
*https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/kindergarten-and-elementary-school-teachers.htm
**https://www.isbe.net/unfilledpositions
***https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/preschool-teachers.htm
