Teacher Certification - Family and Consumer Sciences

Students with a major in the School of Family, Consumer, and Nutrition Sciences who want to be certified to teach family and consumer sciences in middle/junior high and high school must

• plan their programs of study in consultation with a teacher certification adviser in the school at the earliest possible date. Early selection of appropriate general education courses will eliminate course duplication. See “Teacher Certification Requirements.”
• obtain consent of family and consumer sciences teacher certification adviser for enrollment in early field experiences.
• obtain school approval for admission into the teacher certification program. School approval for admission to the teacher certification program requires admission to the major or a degree in family and consumer sciences from an accredited institution; passing the basic skills test in the Illinois Certification Testing System (ICTS); and a cumulative GPA of at least 2.75 in all NIU course work and 3.00 in FCNS course work. Admission to a degree program does not guarantee admission to the certification program. Applications are due May 1 for the following academic year.
• obtain the Illinois State Sanitation Certificate prior to or as a corequisite with FCNS 200A.
• obtain school approval for admission into student teaching which requires passing the family and consumer sciences content test in the Illinois Certification Testing System. Applications are due February 15 for placement the following fall semester.
• maintain a minimum 2.75 GPA in all NIU course work with a 3.00 GPA in FCNS 344 and FCNS 345 for retention.

Discipline course work must be approved by the school’s teacher certification adviser.

Upon admission to the Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher Certification program, student coursework related to certification must have been taken no more than 5 years prior to admission to the certification program. Once admitted, students must continue to make satisfactory progress toward certification.Professional liability insurance for field experience and student teaching is paid through course fees.