Students interested in emphases 2 and 3 must declare their interest in teacher certification with the discipline coordinator in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at their earliest opportunity. Students completing these emphases must also obtain a secondary endorsement in at least one subject other than chemistry. Graduate students seeking an endorsement in chemistry who already have a Standard High School Certificate (6-12) in the state of Illinois must complete 24 semester hours in the physical sciences with at least 10 semester hours in chemistry including 4 semester hours in laboratory work. Postbaccalaureate students who wish to pursue certification without becoming a candidate for a degree should consult with the discipline coordinator in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry as early as possible.
Admission Requirements
To be admitted to the certification program, students in emphases 2 and 3 must have
established a file with the discipline coordinator in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and completed satisfactory reviews of progress each semester after establishment of the file,
attained junior standing,
completed at least 12 semester hours at NIU with a minimum GPA of 2.50,
completed at least 6 semester hours of chemistry at NIU,
earned a minimum GPA of 2.50 in all chemistry courses taken at NIU,
completed 6 semester hours of written communication and 3 semester hours of oral communication with grades of C or better,
completed at least 20 clock hours of approved early clinical experiences, and
obtained approval from the discipline coordinator in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry.
Retention Requirements
Students admitted to the certification program must
maintain a GPA of 2.50 in all course work undertaken at NIU;
maintain a minimum combined GPA of 2.70 in NIU courses numbered 200 and above in physical and biological sciences and mathematics;
complete a satisfactory review of progress each semester with the discipline coordinator in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry; and,
prior to student teaching (for emphasis 3, general science teaching), complete 8 semester hours of biological sciences, including at least 3 semester hours in courses numbered 200 and above.
General Requirements and Information
The program of courses for meeting certification requirements must be approved by the discipline coordinator in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry each semester prior to registration. Students are responsible for timely submission of all applications and permits required during the certification program.
The State of Illinois has established course and standards-based requirements for certification. Approved certification programs must have requirements that meet or exceed the state requirements. A list of the current state minimum requirements is available from the Illinois State Board of Education’s web page. The department’s certification program requirements are designed to prepare candidates both to meet state course requirements and to demonstrate that they meet state teaching standards.
Current requirements include the possession of an appropriate baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution, a minimum of 32 hours in the field, pre-student teaching clinical experiences at the 6-12 level or proof of teaching experience at the 6-12 level, student teaching or an approved teaching experience, passage of the basic skills and secondary certificate subject matter examinations of the Illinois Certification Testing System, and demonstration that the candidate has met science teaching standards.
Contact the discipline coordinator for information on the necessary criteria that experiences must meet to demonstrate fulfillment of certification requirements.
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