Elmhurst University’s innovative program in elementary teacher education prepares students for licensure to teach in grades kindergarten through six.
The two-year program is designed as a major for juniors and seniors with a minor in a high-need area of education. Because of its design, the program also works especially well for transfer students from community colleges. Students are accepted into the elementary program in the Fall Term of each year.
Students in this program begin their in-school practicum experiences early in their education, with close supervision and coordination from faculty and university supervisors. Candidates are assigned by the program director to local schools for practicum experiences.
Recommend Course Sequence
Explore course offerings for the Elementary Education Program in the 2026-2027 catalog. Please note that one unit of credit equals four semester hours.
The prerequisite for all courses 200-level or higher is admission to the program.
Integrated Curriculum Requirements
Integrated Curriculum Requirements
Fall Term:
This semester focuses on first through third grade classrooms.
- ELM 300 Elementary Curriculum, Planning and Instruction for the Primary Grades
- ELM 314 Elementary Methods and Materials for Literacy Learners in Diverse Primary Classrooms
- ELM 341 Primary Classroom Methods in Elementary Mathematics, Science and Social Science
- TEL 204 Cross-cultural Studies for Teaching English Language Learners
January Term:
* TEL 212 Theoretical Foundations
Spring Term:
This semester focuses on fourth through six grade classrooms.
- ELM 350 Elementary Curriculum, Planning and Instruction for the Intermediate Grades
- ELM 372 Methods and Materials for Literacy Learners in Diverse Intermediate and Middle-Level Classrooms
- ELM 382 Intermediate Classroom Methods in Elementary Mathematics, Science and Social Science (1.00 credit)* TEL 317 Methods and Materials for Teaching English Language Learners
* TEL 319 Linguistics in Second Language Learning
Fall Term:
This term involves two full-day internships in schools with a focus on meeting the needs of individual students and building an inclusive classroom.
- ELM 419 Evidence-based Elementary Classroom Assessment and Learning Environments
- ELM 450 Elementary School Practicum and Professional Practice Seminar
- SPE 440 Diagnosis and Remediation of Reading Difficulties
- SPE 442 Remediation of Difficulties in Understanding and Applying Mathematics
* TEL 439 Assessment of English Language Learners* TEL 448 Action Research and Application of Bilingual Methods I
Spring Term:
This final terms is a 15-week, full-time student teaching clinical experience in a first through sixth-grade classroom.
- ELM 451 Student Teaching in Elementary Education
- TEL 449 Action Research and Application of Bilingual Methods II
Get Started
Completing Elementary Teacher Education Prerequisites at a Community College
Planning to complete the program’s prerequisites at a community college prior to transferring? Use the advising sheets below to determine which courses you need to enroll in at the community college of your choice, so you are prepared to apply to the ELM program.