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AA in Education

Is it your desire to make a difference in people’s lives in an elementary school classroom? Do you want not only to teach children, but to do so with a developed Christian worldview, an understanding of the worldviews of your students and their families, and a heart of compassion? If so, LCU's AA in Education in conjunction with the BS in Elementary Education from Illinois State University is a perfect choice for you.

Upon completion of the AA in Education, you will be equipped with a biblical worldview, critical thinking skills, and a foundational knowledge of educational theory, child development, and the American system of education, including the challenges of poverty, cross-cultural issues, and the underserved in our American culture.

By partnering with Illinois State University, we can offer our students a strong foundation in Bible, theology, and general education from a Christian perspective in addition to professional education courses for teacher licensure. Upon completion of this dual degree, students will have an Associate of Arts in Education from LCU and a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Illinois State University. The program typically takes four years to complete. The first two years the student will take courses on campus at LCU. The final two years the student will take courses at Illinois State University. The student will have the option to live on LCU’s campus for all four years.

Our goal in offering an AA in Education is to prepare Christian educators to serve diverse learners in diverse cultures—because God has charged us with this responsibility and privilege. We aim to produce Christian educators who are seeking to become masterful teachers after the example of Jesus Christ.

Potential Careers

Teaching in Christian and public schools in the U.S. and Internationally
Church and parachurch ministry positions related to children / youth
Church leadership, positions in public or private social service agencies

Course List

Some of the classes you'll take while pursuing your...
BI 270
Interpreting the Christian Scriptures
A study of the resources, principles, and methods of interpreting Scripture.
ID 101
An Introduction to Worldviews
This course introduces the concept of worldview as a tool to understand, compare, and evaluate a variety of philosophical and religious perspectives (e.g. Deism, Secular Humanism, Marxism, Nihilism, Existentialism, Postmodernism, New Age, Eastern Pantheism, Islam). Attention is also given to the nature and implications of a Christian worldview in the context of our contemporary pluralistic culture.
TH 160
Basic Christian Beliefs
An introduction to the key Biblical beliefs that define the historic Christian faith (e.g. God, Christ, Holy Spirit, humanity, sin, salvation, etc.) with attention given to the credibility of such beliefs.
BI 111
Introduction to the Bible
An historical and literary survey of the Protestant Scriptures, the Old and New Testaments.
ED 223
Children’s Literature
This course is a comprehensive survey of the various types of verse and prose for children, with considerable attention given to the significant historical and folklore backgrounds. Students will be required to read and discuss some current popular children’s fiction and some classics published for children ages 8 to 13. This course will also include a unit on the analysis and importance of picture books for younger children and non-readers.
ED 238
Child Growth
A practical examination of the physical, social, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual formation and growth of children through introduction to the major themes, theories, and theorists in developmental psychology.
ID 201
Ancient Civilizations
This course surveys and integrates key ideas and developments in history, philosophy, literature, theology, politics, visual art, and architecture in the Ancient Near East, Hellenic Greece, Hellenistic Greece, and Rome. A significant focus of the class is critical thinking and critical writing. Prerequisite: ID 101. IAI Code HF 900.
LA 101
Writing Studies 1
This is the first course in a two-semester sequence of composition. Students will be introduced to a rhetorical approach to academic writing as a collaborative process of drafting, revising, and editing thesis-driven essays. Emphasis will be placed on critical reading and analysis, and course topics will include elements of style and standard composition. Successful completion of this course requires a grade of C or better.
LA 102
Writing Studies 2
This is the second course in a two-semester sequence designed to enhance the critical skills of argumentation and academic writing introduced in LA 101 Writing Skills 1, developing greater depth and sophistication in both style and subject matter. The course will reinforce student experience with the conventions of standard English, documentation and research. Prerequisite: successful completion of LA 101 with a grade of C or better.
LA 113
Introduction to Speech
A study and practice of basic principles involved in discovering, arranging, delivering, and evaluating ideas in speech situations. IAI Code C2 900.
MA 161
Math for Elementary Teachers I
This course focuses on mathematical problem solving and reasoning to develop the mathematical content knowledge. Topics include properties of whole numbers and rational numbers, arithmetic, and algebraic operations. Manipulatives and technology are embedded into the course content.
MA 208
Math for Elementary Teachers II
This course focuses on concepts and the structure of real numbers, including but not limited to topics of geometry, measurement probability, statistics, and algebra. Manipulatives and technology are embedded into the course content. This course is recommended for education majors. A scientific calculator is required for this course. Prerequisite: MA 161 with a C or better, an equivalent course, or permission of instructor.
SC 155
Biology and Society (Lecture Only)
A survey of how organisms carry out the biological processes necessary for life with emphasis on the challenges faced in different environments and how organisms are designed to meet these challenges. The development of scientific ideas and current issues in biology will also be discussed. IAI Code L1 900.
SC 165
Biology and Society Lab
A laboratory course in which students will perform hands-on experiments investigating basic biological principles. Co-requisite: SC 155 or permission of instructor.
SC 257
Physical Science
An introduction to such matters as the nature of energy, the chemistry of matter and reactions, the physics of motion and forces, sound, astronomy, light, and electricity.
SS 261
Principles of Economics
An examination of supply and demand, the market structure, inflation, unemployment, economic growth and GDP, and international trade, as well as current economic issues.
SS 263
Citizens and Government
An introduction to public policy and individual citizen’s roles and responsibilities, with a particular focus on the U.S. government within the context of a pluralistic society. The course actively stimulates students to ponder the socially responsible choices that educated citizens who participate in shared governance make. (Fulfills state requirements for teacher education students regarding the study of Government, the Constitution of the United States, and the state of Illinois.) IAI Code S5900.
ED 141
Introduction to Educational Practice
This course prepares the candidate for future courses in Teacher Education. Course content includes developing an understanding of the Teacher Education program, a survey of the history of education in North America, as well as the legal, social, and ethical issues involved in public school education. The course also covers a preliminary overview of predominant learning theories/theorists, and current best practices. This course includes 35 hours of field experience in a diverse setting.
ED 221
Cultural Awareness in the Classroom
Through this course, students will explore race and poverty issues, as well as the hidden rules of economic class and characteristics of generational poverty that impact the classroom environment and instruction. Students will search for effective strategies that better meet the needs of underserved populations. Students will be able to give P-12 students the skills needed within the broader culture, while also preserving the integrity of their culture. This course includes 40 hours of field experience within the public school system that serves a high minority and low socioeconomic population.
ED 237
Survey of the Exceptional Child
An introduction to the characteristics of exceptional learners and their educational rights and processes, which will include learners with disabilities as well as students who possess giftedness. Classroom practices and interventions, as well as training the education professional in appropriate observation skills necessary to understand child and adolescent development, classroom dynamics, and appropriate practices for all children are covered. Additionally, the course covers legal, ethical, family, and diversity issues. This course includes 30 hours of field experience.
ED 299
Education Continuation
Required registration for all AA in Education students who are completing their student teaching.
HI 141
American History
A study of the political, social, religious, constitutional, and intellectual development (e.g. literature, fine arts, film, science, etc.) of the American people from the colonial settlement of the eastern seaboard until the present. IAI Code S2 900.
SC 112
Nutrition and Wellness
This course provides an introduction to the basic principles of nutrition and wellness with an emphasis on the utilization of nutrients for growth and health throughout life. Topics include the role culture plays in food choices, the relationship between nutrition and disease, and the tools used for nutrition assessment.
SS 223
World Geography
This course provides a regional study of the diverse global context of people, languages, religions, economic activities, and settlement patterns of the world.

Student Testimonials

Hear from students who’ve earned an AA in Education:
  • “I could have gone to a secular university for elementary education, but I wanted to come here and become a teacher with strong Christian values.”
    — Tiara Butts
  • “I chose to transfer to LCU my sophomore year. I had seen how LCU had impacted other students’ lives and I wanted a piece of that. Within the first few weeks of being on the LCU campus, I knew I had found where I was going to stay. The small classes allow for hands-on interaction, discussion, and the ability to create relationships with peers and the instructor to help achieve the best students possibly can. LCU has provided me with the dual benefit of achieving my teaching education goals while also helping me gain a better foundation in the Bible and its relevance in our changing world. LCU has not only providing me an education for a future teaching position, but it has also brought me a community. A community of loving students, instructors and employees that are always by your side and cheering you on, and always are excited to welcome a new student to the LCU family!”
    — Kami Austin
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