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Education, Middle Level - Associate in Science (882)

To teach in Illinois public schools (grades 6-9), teachers must be licensed by the state of Illinois. Students in middle level education complete a core of required methods courses, and then complete discipline-specific courses to be licensed in one or more pathways. Pathways include English Language Arts, Social Sciences, Mathematics, and Science.

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 scare) is generally required.  

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

Effective Fall of 2016, the associate in science (A.S.) degree is designed to complete the lower-division (freshman and sophomore) portion of a bachelor of science degree in STEM related majors. As a result, A.S. degree does not include the entire General Education Core Curriculum. Therefore, students will need to complete MORE general education courses after transfer by completing the GECC curriculum while enrolled at the participating Illinois transfer institution OR fulfilling the general education requirements of their selected non-participating transfer institution.

General education and pathway requirements vary significantly by intended 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. Individualized articulation sheets for some universities are available in the Student Services Center.

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.

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 - 15-18 Hours

• **Physical Science 3-5 Semester hour(s)
• Social/Behavioral Science 3 Semester hour(s)

• 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

• *

  MAT203 - Calculus & Analytic Geometry I ( 4 Semester Hours)

  The elementary concepts of differential and integral calculus are introduced and applications are discussed. These include: limits, continuity, the derivative, rules of differentiation, the indefinite and definite integral. Trigonometric functions are dealt with. Some applications are: related rates, graphing, extreme value problems and Newton's method for finding roots of equations. Prerequisite: MAT 122 - Trigonometry with a grade of C or higher (or appropriate placement score) OR four years of college preparatory high school mathematics with grades of C or higher and either the appropriate placement score or an ACT Math score at least 26 OR Math 3 with a grade of C or higher and either appropriate placement score or an ACT Math score of at least 26 4 Semester hour(s) Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): M1 900-1, MTH 901 Lecture/Lab Hours: 4 lec/week

  OR

  MAT221 - Calc for Bus & Soc Science ( 4 Semester Hours)

  A brief course in elementary differential and integral calculus. Primarily for students of business, economics and social science, with emphasis on applications. Prerequisite: MAT 121 with a grade of C or higher or appropriate placement score, or four years of college preparatory high school mathematics with grades of C or higher OR Math 3 with a grade of "C" or higher. 4 Semester hour(s) Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): M1 900-B Lecture/Lab Hours: 4 lec/week
   

Second Semester - 14-17 Hours

• **Additional Science OR Mathematics 4-5 Semester hour(s)
• Fine Arts 3 Semester hour(s)
• **Life Science 3-5 Semester hour(s)
• Personal Development 1 Semester hour

• 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

Third Semester - 17-18+ Hours

• **Additional Science or Mathematics 4-5 Semester hour(s)
• Fine Arts 3 Semester hour(s)
• Personal Development 1 Semester hour
• Social/Behavioral Science 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

• 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 - 15-18 Hours

• ****EDU elective 3 Semester hour(s)
• Humanities 3 Semester hours(s)
• ***Pathway Electives or additional requirements 8-11 Semester hour(s)

• EDU276 - Clinical Experience Elem Ed ( 1 Semester Hours)

  This 20-clock- hour experience is offered to help meet the practicum requirement for elementary education in Illinois. Interns will observe students in a public elementary 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

• * Teaching pathway will determine the most appropriate mathematics course(s). Mathematics pathway should select MAT 203.
• **Science Pathway should select CHE 105, CHE 106, BIO 105 plus PHY 201, PHY 202 as schedule allows. Some institutions require BIO 123 Intro to Botany and BIO 131 Zoology, in addition to BIO 105. Mathematics pathway should select from MAT 204, 205, 220.
• ***Student's pathway (intended area of teaching) and transfer school will guide the selection of pathway/elective course work.
• **** Suggested Education electives include EDU 210, 222, 224, 275.