Several departments in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences administer programs leading to initial teacher certification. See “Teacher Certification Information” for a complete list of teacher certification entitlement programs offered by NIU. Students interested in teaching in a subject area offered by a department in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences should see individual department listings in this catalog and seek departmental advisement concerning standards for admission and retention unique to each departmental certification program.
Requirements Common to All Accredited Teacher Certification Programs in Liberal Arts and Sciences
All of the teacher certification programs offered in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences meet or exceed minimum requirements of the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE); consequently, students completing the requirements for any of the programs will be recommended for certification under ISBE entitlement. Students with a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution interested in secondary teacher certification in any of the above subject areas must
be admitted to the university as a postgraduate, student-at-large, or a graduate student. Admission to a degree program does not guarantee admission to the certification program in any department. (Students should seek transcript evaluation and advisement from the appropriate department certification adviser concerning departmental requirements for admission to the teacher certification program.)
meet departmental requirements for the teaching subject-area.
complete general education course work as mandated by ISBE.
complete a minimum of 100 clock hours of clinical experiences approved by the department prior to student teaching.
complete professional education courses as mandated by ISBE. Consult the adviser in the appropriate certification program (see above list) for information about courses which meet these requirements.
complete the subject-area department teaching methods course.
pass both the State of Illinois Basic Skills Examination and the appropriate subject matter examination administered by the Illinois Certification Testing System.
complete the student teaching course offered by the subject-area department. Student teaching assignments and sites must be authorized by the subject-area department. See the appropriate department adviser for information about timely application and regulations governing the student teaching assignment.
A satisfactory academic record is not the only criterion for admission to and retention in a certification program. Written evaluations of any candidate’s performance which demonstrate deficiencies in organizational and communication skills or attitudes and behaviors unsuitable for working with students will result in that candidate not being recommended for certification.
See department certification adviser. Also see “Teacher Certification Information.”
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