Earn Your Illinois Teaching License with a B.A. in Elementary Education
Graduate with your Illinois Professional Educator License for Grades 1 to 6 and the practical classroom skills Chicago-area principals recognize on day one, from a university that has produced more Golden Apple Award winners than any school in Illinois.
- Illinois PEL Included (Grades 1 to 6)
- 80+ Golden Apple Award Winners
- Field Hours Every Term
- On-Campus or Online
Request More Information
Program at a Glance
What You'll Learn
- Teach any Grades 1 to 6 elementary classroom
- Design equity-informed, standards-aligned instruction
- Teach literacy, math, STEM, science, and social studies
- Support children with disabilities in inclusive classrooms
- Complete field hours every term and a student teaching placement
- Qualify for the Illinois PEL with an Elementary Education endorsement
Full Course List
Next start: September 21, 2026 — seats filling fast.
Admissions Requirements
- High school diploma or equivalent (no application fee)
- Online application at nl.edu
- Advance to the licensure program at junior standing with a 2.5+ GPA
- Grade of C or better in all prior courses
- Passing score on the ISBE elementary content test
NLU is recognized for its excellence in preparing teachers, and that reputation was confirmed by both my high school teachers and friends who were already studying here.
A strong reputation among Illinois principals for graduates who are classroom-ready and collaborative from day one.
More Golden Apple Award winners than any school in Illinois, from preparing Illinois teachers since 1886.
Add an ESL/Bilingual or Special Education endorsement through an optional concentration to expand where and what you can teach.
Where Will Your Degree Take You?
NLU Elementary Education graduates enter Illinois classrooms already licensed and already prepared, with field experience principals value. Field hours every term mean graduates arrive at their first job with real experience, not just credentials. Illinois posts more than 103,800 kindergarten and elementary openings each year, driven by replacement demand (BLS, 2024 to 2034).
Elementary teaching carries a median salary of $62,340 (BLS, May 2024). Combined with strong classroom preparation and an optional ESL or Special Education endorsement, NLU graduates are among the most prepared and versatile candidates in the Illinois hiring market.
How to Apply in 3 Simple Steps
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Request Information
Submit the form above. An NLU advisor will reach out within one business day.
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Connect With an Advisor
Your advisor walks you through the two-step licensure process, concentration options, and how NLU career services supports job placement.
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Apply and Start Classes
Submit your application at nl.edu with no application fee. Next start: September 21, 2026. Your advisor guides you through every step.
Take the First Step
No commitment required. An NLU advisor will reach out within one business day to map your path to an Illinois elementary teaching license.
Take the First Step- Illinois PEL Included (Grades 1 to 6)
- 80+ Golden Apple Award Winners
- Field Hours Every Term
- On-Campus or Online
*Salary data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, Elementary School Teachers (SOC 25-2021), May 2024.
**Job openings: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers, 2024 to 2034 projections.
***Credentials and curriculum: SmartCatalog, National Louis University, Elementary Education B.A. (nl.smartcatalogiq.com, current catalog).