Education, Secondary

Associate in Arts Degree with a Concentration in
Education, Secondary (685)

The secondary education concentration will prepare students to transfer to a four-year institution to earn a bachelor's degree in an academic discipline and teacher licensure (grade 9-12) in the state of Illinois.  

Follow this link for career information.

Transfer Considerations

General education and major field 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. Transfer guides for some universities are available at svcc.edu/transfer.

1. IMPORTANT NOTE ON GENERAL EDUCATION RECOMMENDATIONS: The courses recommended in the suggested program are beyond the minimum requirements necessary for completion of general education courses for an Associate of Arts degree. The general education recommendations listed below are for a student's full licensure requirements. Some of these additional courses may be completed after a student transfers, even with an Associates of Arts degree. Licensure information is based on the Illinois State Board of Education's administrative rules for teacher education preparation.
2. Students will major in the academic discipline they intend to teach. 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.

Competitive Admissions

Since admission is competitive, completing the recommended courses does not by itself guarantee admission.

1. A minimum grade point average of 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale), dependent on the transfer school requirements, is required for program admission.
2. Students will also need to achieve a C or better grade in all general education coursework.

Special Considerations

1. To teach in Illinois public schools (grades 1-6), teachers must be licensed by the state of Illinois. Information regarding Illinois standards for Professional Educator License is available on the Illinois State Board of Education Website at isbe.net.
2. 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.

Program Contacts at Sauk Valley Community College

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

 

Minimum Total Credit Hours - 64 Hours

Suggested Course Sequence

First Semester - 18 Hours

Course #	Course Title	Hours
**	Mathematics	3 Hours
***	Major Electives	3 Hours
EDU102	Computer Education for Teacher	3 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 technology into teaching. This course is designed for the student with minimal computer experience. Prerequisite None3 Semester hours3 lecweek
EDU105	Prep for Careers in Education	2 Hours
This course introduces the student to licensure standards course sequences and skills required for education majors. Students will be introduced to the Illinois Professional Teaching Standards and will become familiar with the roles and responsibilities of teachers and the dispositions of effective teachers. Students will be exposed through observation activities to varying grade levels classrooms with the purpose of aiding in choosing the correct licensure path.Prerequisite None2 Semester hoursLectureLab Hours 2 lectureweek
ENG101	Composition I	3 Hours
This course 1 develops awareness of the writing process 2 provides inventional organizational and editorial strategies 3 stresses the variety of uses for writing and 4 emphasizes critical skills in reading thinking and writing.Prerequisite Required placement score on approved English placement test high school unweighted GPA of 3.0 or higher or a grade of C or higher in ELA 099.3 Semester hoursIllinois Articulation Initiative IAI C1 900LectureLab Hours 3 lecweek
FYE101	First Year Experience	1 Hour
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. Prerequisite None1 Semester hoursLectureLab Hours 1 lecweek
PSY103	Introduction to Psychology	3 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 Prerequisite None3 Semester hoursIllinois Articulation Initiative IAI S6 900LectureLab Hours 3 lecweek

 

Second Semester - 16 Hours

Course #	Course Title	Hours
	Fine Arts	3 Hours
	Personal Development	1 Hour
***	Major Electives	3 Hours
COM131	Intro to Oral Communication	3 Hours
The oral communication course combines communication theory with the practice of oral communication skills. The 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.Prerequisite None3 Semester hoursIllinois Articulation Initiative IAI C2 900LectureLab Hours 3 lecweek
ENG103	Composition II	3 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 hoursIllinois Articulation Initiative IAI C1 901RLectureLab Hours 3 lecweek
PSY200	Human Growth & Development	3 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 hoursIllinois Articulation Initiative IAI S6 902LectureLab Hours 3 lecweek
- OR -
PSY214	Child Developmental Psychology	3 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 hoursIllinois Articulation Initiative IAI S6 903LectureLab Hours 3 lecweek

 

Third Semester - 15-16 Hours

Course #	Course Title	Hours
	Fine Arts / Humanities	3 Hours
	Humanities	3 Hours
*	Physical Science	3-4 Hours
	Social / Behavioral Science	3 Hours
EDU220	Educ of the Exceptional Child	3 Hours
An introductory overview of the field of special education and the educational and evidence-based strategies that support children with exceptional cognitive social physical and emotional needs. Services and interventions will be examined including federal and state requirements for eligibility. Students will be introduced to the various exceptionality categories that occur in the population including an overview of characteristics of individuals in each category with emphasis on category-appropriate interventions and teaching strategies. Prerequisite None3 Semester hoursIllinois Articulation Initiative IAI ECE 913LectureLab Hours 3 lecweek

 

Fourth Semester - 13-14 Hours

Course #	Course Title	Hours
*	Life Science	3-4 Hours
	Social / Behavioral Science	3 Hours
***	Major Electives	4 Hours
****	EDU Elective	3 Hours

 

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 176, 210, 224, 275.