Students who want to be certified to teach history in grades 6-12 should declare their intention with the department’s office of teacher certification at the earliest possible opportunity. Certification involves significant requirements in addition to the completion of a degree in history.
Admission
Students are admitted to the certification program when they have
established a file with the department’s office of teacher certification and completed satisfactory reviews of progress each semester after establishment of the file;
attained junior standing and completed at least 12 semester hours at NIU with a minimum GPA of 2.75;
completed at least 6 semester hours of history at NIU and earned a minimum GPA of 3.00 in all history courses taken at the college/university level;
completed the core competency requirements in English and oral communication;
completed at least 20 clock hours of approved early clinical experiences; and
obtained approval from the department’s office of teacher certification.
Retention
Students admitted to the program must maintain the GPA requirements and complete a satisfactory review of progress each semester with the department’s office of teacher certification.
Department Requirements
Students must complete the requirements for a degree in history, including at least 8 semester hours in U.S. history. They also must complete HIST 496, History and Social Science Instruction in Grades 6-12, and HIST 400, Student Teaching in History/Social Sciences in Grades 6-12. Except in unusual circumstances, HIST 496 must be taken in the semester immediately prior to enrollment in HIST 400, and students are admitted to HIST 400 only upon satisfactory completion of all other work required for graduation and certification.
Other Requirements
Illinois requires 100 clock hours of substantial, varied, and sequential clinical experiences prior to student teaching. Students must obtain permission from the department’s office of teacher certification for enrollment in these experiences.
Students must complete course work in human development and learning, techniques of assessment, foundations of education, and integrating exceptional students into the regular classroom. Students should consult with the department’s office of teacher certification to determine which courses are approved for satisfying this requirement.
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