Students who want to be certified to teach geography/social sciences in grades 6-12 must declare their intention to do so with the office of teacher certification in the Department of History at the earliest possible opportunity. Certification involves significant requirements in addition to the completion of a degree in geography.
Admission
Students are admitted to the certification program when they have
established a file with the Department of History’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 geography at NIU and earned a minimum GPA of 3.00 in all geography 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 of History’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 of History’s office of teacher certification.
Department Requirements
Students must complete the requirements for a degree in geography. In addition, they must complete GEOG 496X, History and Social Science Instruction in Grades 6-12. Except in unusual circumstances, GEOG 496X must be taken in the semester immediately prior to enrollment in student teaching.
Other Requirements
Students must complete HIST 400, Student Teaching in History/Social Sciences in Grades 6-12. Except in unusual circumstances, students are admitted to HIST 400 only upon satisfactory completion of all other work required for graduation and certification.
Students must complete the minimum requirements for teaching endorsements in both U.S. history (8 semester hours) and world history (8 semester hours).
Illinois requires 100 clock hours of substantial, varied, and sequential clinical experiences prior to student teaching. Students must obtain permission from the Department of History’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 of History’s office of teacher certification to determine which courses are approved for satisfying this requirement.
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