Elementary Education (BA)
Why study Elementary Education?
Elementary Education prepares students to work with children to help them grow and learn. To become an Elementary Education teacher, you need to be proficient in a variety of subject areas, including language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, the arts, health, and physical education. Elementary Education is an ideal career path for people who are interested in developing young minds and who want to have a positive impact on the social and intellectual development of children.
At Aurora University, our Elementary Education program is designed to develop teachers who strive for excellence in teaching. We believe in our students and their capacity to make a positive influence in the world.
Thousands of AU Elementary Education graduates are successful teachers today. AU’s approach to teacher education combines a strong academic core with experiences in professional learning communities. AU collaborates with schools in the Fox Valley region so that students have the opportunity early in their academic journey to take part in classrooms, observing and working alongside experienced teachers and interacting with students. The art and science of teaching is brought to life for AU students through interviews, observations, and work with professional teachers. This approach builds confidence in students so they are well-prepared when it comes time to student teach.
Program Locations
- Main campus in Aurora
- University Center at McHenry County College
- More details coming soon. For more information, contact Ashley Hueber at ahueber@aurora.edu or 630-844-4926.
Aurora University’s Elementary Education program is accredited by the Illinois State Board of Education and prepares students to become licensed teachers in the state of Illinois. As part of the program, students complete the Teacher Performance Assessment (edTPA), a state certification requirement that prepares teachers for the classroom.
An endorsement on a teaching license means you have additional qualifications to teach specific grade levels or subject areas. AU offers endorsements to all education majors, making students eligible for additional teaching opportunities. These include:
- Early Childhood Education Endorsement
- Elementary Education Endorsement*
- English/Language Arts Middle School Endorsement
- ESL/Bilingual Education Endorsement
- Math Middle School Endorsement
- Science Middle School Endorsement
- Social Science Middle School Endorsement
- Spanish Endorsement
- Special Education Endorsement
*The Elementary Education Endorsement is available at AU's main campus and for students at the University Center at McHenry County College in Woodstock.
Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world.Nelson Mandela
Spartan Story: Jason Morales '21 was inspired to become an education major after a teacher changed his life by helping him learn English. He wants to have the same impact on other children's lives.
2022 annual median salary for kindergarten and elementary school teachers
2022-2032 job openings projected each year
- How children of different ages learn and grow
- How to engage and educate children
- How to implement a quality curriculum
- Communities in Schools
- Educators Rising
- Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society in Education
- Wackerlin Center for Faith and Action
To learn more about all of AU's Education programs, including scholarships, click here.
Experiential learning
As an Elementary Education major at Aurora University, you will participate in enriching student teaching experiences in local classrooms. This important part of your journey puts you in charge of a real classroom in a local school while you are still a student at AU.
Career possibilities
- Child life specialist
- Educational materials salesperson
- Elementary school teacher
- Grant writer
- Human resource specialist
- Nonformal educator (museums, zoos, nature centers)
- Resource teacher
Career options with additional education
- College/university instructor
- Curriculum specialist
- Guidance counselor
- Librarian
- School administrator
- School psychologist
- Secondary school teacher
- Special education administrator
- Speech pathologist
- Vocational rehabilitation counselor