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Education, Secondary - Associate in Arts (685)

To teach in Illinois public schools (grades 9-12), teachers must be licensed by the state of Illinois. Students in secondary education major in the academic discipline they intend to teach. Community college students are strongly encouraged to complete an Associate in Arts (A.A.) or Associate in Science (A.S.) degree prior to transfer. Since admission is competitive, completion of the recommended course does not guarantee admission. A minimum grade point average of 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale), dependent on the transfer school requirements, is required for program admission.

Students planning to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree or a degree from a college of arts and science should be alerted to the probable need to complete a foreign language requirement before transfer.

Information regarding Illinois standards for Professional Educator License is available on the Illinois State Board of Education Website at www.isbe.net

General education and major field requirements vary significantly by transfer institution. Students who have already chosen the university to which they plan to transfer should consult that institution's catalog or department advisor and an SVCC academic advisor in planning their program. 

Criminal History Check Policy

Illinois law requires Illinois school boards to conduct a criminal background investigation on applicants for employment. This law also prohibits the employment of a person who has been convicted of committing or attempting to commit any one or more of a number of offenses. At present, offenses include first degree murder; any Class X felony; juvenile pimping; soliciting for a juvenile prostitute; exploitation of a child; obscenity; child pornography; harmful material; criminal sexual assault; aggravated criminal sexual assault; offenses set forth in the Cannabis Control Act; and crimes defined in the Illinois Controlled Substance Act. Employment must be denied whether the offenses and/or conviction occurred inside or outside the state of Illinois.

Students who perform classroom observations through coursework at Sauk Valley Community College may be required by the selected school/site to undergo a criminal background check prior to placement. Students may be denied at any observation site based on the results of that check.

Students who feel their criminal background may exclude them from observation or employment should seek counseling with SVCC faculty or advising staff early in their program to determine how it may affect their participation and eligibility.

Education, Secondary

Follow this link for career information.

Program Contacts at Sauk Valley Community College

• Academic Advising, 815-835-6354
• Amanda Eichman, Professor of English and Education, 815-835-6319

Total Hours Required - 64 Hours

Suggested Program

First Semester - 17 Hours

• **Math 3 Semester hour(s)
• ***Major Electives 3 Semester hours(s)

• EDU102 - Computer Education for Teacher ( 3 Semester Hours)

  This course is designed to meet the needs of education majors. This course will introduce students to the fundamentals and skills necessary to effectively integrate computers into teaching. This course is designed for the student with minimal computer experience. 3 Semester hour(s) 3 lec/week

• EDU105 - Preparing for Careers in Educa ( 1 Semester Hours)

  The course introduces the student to licensure standards and the course sequence required for education majors. In addition, students are introduced to cognitive skills needed for teaching, classroom motivation and management skills, and strategies securing entry-level employment in the teaching profession. Students will be required to complete 15 hours of observation hours in varying grade levels/ classrooms with the purpose of aiding in choosing the correct licensure path. 1 Semester hour Lecture/Lab Hours: 2 lab/week

• ENG101 - Composition I ( 3 Semester Hours)

  A basic course in essay writing with emphasis on exposition, ENG 101 stresses knowledge and application of the rhetorical modes. ENG 101 presupposes competence in grammar, usage, and mechanics. Prerequisite: ACT standard score in English of 22 or above; required scores on the current English placement test, or grade of C or higher in ELA 099. 3 Semester hour(s) Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): C1 900 Lecture/Lab Hours: 3 lec/week

• FYE101 - First Year Experience ( 1 Semester Hours)

  The focus of this course is how to be successful in college. Study skills, goal setting, academic planning, time and money management, and information research skills are among the core topics included in this course. Within a supportive environment, students will share their college experiences and develop connections with fellow students and SVCC staff. 1 Semester hour(s) Lecture/Lab Hours: 1 lec/week

• PSY103 - Introduction to Psychology ( 3 Semester Hours)

  This course is designed to introduce the student to major concepts, theories, principles, and research in the field of psychology. This course will survey the scientific study of human and animal characteristics and behavior. Major topics from biological, behavioral, cognitive, personality, developmental, abnormal, and social psychology theory and research will be emphasized. Universal characteristics and individual differences will be explored 3 Semester hour(s) Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): S6 900 Lecture/Lab Hours: 3 lec/week

Second Semester - 16 Hours

• Fine Arts 3 Semester hour(s)
• Personal Development 1 Semester hour
• ***Major Electives 3 Semester hour(s)

• COM131 - Intro to Oral Communication ( 3 Semester Hours)

  This course combines communication theory with the practice of oral communication skills. This course: (1) develops awareness of the communication process; (2) provides inventional, organizational, and expressive strategies; (3) promotes understanding of and adaptation to a variety of communication contexts; and (4) emphasizes critical skills in listening, reading, thinking, and speaking. 3 Semester hour(s) Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): C2900 Lecture/Lab Hours: 3 lec/week

• ENG103 - Composition II ( 3 Semester Hours)

  An advanced course in essay writing with emphasis on formal research, ENG 103 serves to develop a proficiency in the collection and selection of data as applied to the completion of a formal research paper. In addition, students receive instruction in logic and reasoning, including the fundamentals of argumentative and persuasive writing. Prerequisite: A grade of C or higher in ENG 101 or its equivalent or consent of instructor. 3 Semester hour(s) Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): C1 901R Lecture/Lab Hours: 3 lec/week

• PSY200 - Human Growth & Development ( 3 Semester Hours)

  A study of physical, cognitive, and psychosocial development of the human across the lifespan. Normative and non-normative patterns of development will be examined. Several major theories of human development will be be explored. Practical application of research findings will be emphasized. Prerequisite: PSY 103 or equivalent. 3 Semester hour(s) Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): S6 902 Lecture/Lab Hours: 3 lec/week

  OR

  PSY214 - Child Developmental Psychology ( 3 Semester Hours)

  Child Developmental Psychology is an exploration of human growth and development from immediately before conception through adolescence. Content and application of theory and research related to physical, cognitive, and psychosocial domains of child development will be reviewed. Prerequisite: PSY 103. 3 Semester hour(s) Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): S6 903 Lecture/Lab Hours: 3 lec/week
   

Third Semester - 16-17 Hours

• Fine Arts/Humanities 3 Semester hour(s)
• Humanities 3 Semester hour(s)
• Personal Development 1 Semester hour
• *Physical Science 3-4 Semester hour(s)
• Social/Behavioral Science 3 Semester hour(s)

• EDU220 - Students/Disabilities School ( 3 Semester Hours)

  An introductory overview of the field of special education in which students will be introduced to the various disability categories that occur in the population including an overview of characteristics of individuals with disabilities and the diversity of the population of people with disabilities. Services and methodologies will be examined, including federal and state requirements for eligibility. Students will be encouraged to develop critical thinking skills in regards to current controversies in the field. 3 Semester hour(s) Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): ECE 913 Lecture/Lab Hours: 3 lec/week

Fourth Semester - 14-15 Hours

• *Life Science 3-4 Semester hour(s)
• Social & Behavioral Science 3 Semester hour(s)
• ***Major Electives 4 Semester hour(s)
• ****EDU elective 3 Semester hour(s)

• EDU277 - Clinical Experience in Sec Edu ( 1 Semester Hours)

  This 20-clock-hour experience is offered to help meet the practicum requirement for secondary education in Illinois. Interns will observe students in a public middle or high school under the guidance of a cooperating teacher. Emphasis will be on teaching techniques, classroom dynamics and the effects of student developmental status on behavior and learning. A journal noting these factors will be kept by each intern. 1 Semester hour Lecture/Lab Hours: 1.5 lab/week Notes: This class contains an observation component and requires an Illinois State Police and FBI background check in order to complete requirements for course credit.

Footnotes

• *One lab science required.
• **Teaching major will determine the most appropriate mathematics course(s).
• ***Student's major (intended area of teaching) will guide the selection of major elective course work.
• ****Suggested electives include EDU 210, 222, 224, 275.