Students seeking initial certification either in earth and space science or in environmental science to teach in grades 6-12 (Standard High School Certificate) must schedule an interview with the departmental certification coordinator to formulate a specific plan of study.
Students seeking certification usually will also major in geology and environmental geosciences. Because certification requires additional courses beyond the major, consulting the coordinator before registering for the initial term will facilitate expeditious completion of the program.
The program of courses for meeting certification requirements must be approved by the departmental certification coordinator each semester before registering. Students are responsible for timely submission of the several applications and permits required during the program.
Students transferring geology course credits from other institutions will complete additional NIU courses as determined by the departmental certification coordinator.
Individuals who want to obtain initial certification as postgraduates or while majoring in another area should consult the departmental certification coordinator. Students who want to obtain initial certification while enrolled in a graduate program or as students-at-large should consult the Graduate Catalog and the departmental certification coordinator.
Admission Requirements
Application in writing to the departmental certification coordinator.
GPA of 2.50 in all work at NIU.
Minimum combined GPA of 2.70 in NIU courses numbered 200 and above in physical and biological sciences and mathematics.
Satisfactory interview with the coordinator in which the student demonstrates attitudes and motivations appropriate to the professional educator.
Requirements listed in these sections are minimum requirements. Meeting these requirements will not guarantee students admission to the geology and environmental geosciences teacher certification program or courses.
16 semester hours in geology and environmental geosciences courses numbered 300 and above; and a passing score on the ICTS Basic Skills Test. Completion of the following with a grade of C or better (higher numbered courses may be substituted, if approved by the coordinator)
The following courses are available for general education credit.
Minimum combined GPA of 2.70 in NIU courses numbered 200 and above in physical and biological sciences and mathematics.
Satisfactory review of progress with the departmental certification coordinator each semester.
Candidates must demonstrate continuing progress in mastering competencies required to meet professional teaching standards.
Appropriate progress each semester towards completion of a portfolio demonstrating competency in the State of Illinois required standards for initial teacher certification.
Passing score on the ICTS Content Area Test prior to student teaching.
Requirements listed in these sections are minimum requirements. Meeting these requirements will not guarantee students admission to the geology and environmental geosciences teacher certification program or courses.
Completion Requirements
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 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 semester hours in the field, pre-student teaching clinical experiences at the 6-12 grade 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 certification coordinator for information on the necessary criteria that experiences must meet to demonstrate fulfillment of certification requirements.
For extra-departmental requirements see “Teacher Certification Requirements” and the departmental certification coordinator.
Earth and Space Science Teacher Certification
All retention requirements listed above.
Clinical hours to be completed in ILAS 201, ILAS 301 and GEOL 401.
8 semester hours each in college chemistry, physics, and biological sciences
3 semester hours each in space science and meteorological science
6 upper-division semester hours in earth science
3 semester hours on the psychology and teaching of the exceptional child
3 semester hours of educational psychology focusing on the middle and high school student
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