Dec 11, 2024

2023-2024 Graduate Catalog

2023-2024 Graduate Catalog [NOTE!!!! THIS IS AN ARCHIVED CATALOG. FOR THE CURRENT CATALOG, GO TO CATALOG.NIU.EDU]

Educator Licensure in Secondary English Language Arts

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The educator licensure program in secondary English language arts qualifies students for licensure in grades 9-12. Students interested in middle-school licensure, grades 5-8, must also complete content courses in English and the required licensure courses in English Language Arts (ENGL 646, ENGL 647, and ENGL 648). The state issues educator licenses upon the recommendation of the Department of English and Northern Illinois University. Admission to the program requires formal application by candidates to the department’s coordinator of educator licensure and formal approval by the department’s Committee on Educator Licensure in English Language Arts.

Admission Requirements

Application in writing to the coordinator.

A passing score on the Illinois examination for licensure for teaching in English Language Arts and any additional state of Illinois requirements.

Submission of a portfolio demonstrating competence in several written genres. (Consult the coordinator for specific portfolio requirements.)

Completion of the courses in mathematics, speech, and writing required for general education core competency or courses at least equivalent to these.

One of the following

Admission to a graduate program in English at NIU.
A graduate or undergraduate degree in English with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.75 and a GPA in English of at least 3.00, and completion of at least 6 semester hours of graduate courses in English at NIU with a GPA of at least 3.00.
Completion of at least 12 semester hours of graduate courses in English at NIU with a GPA of at least 3.00.

Retention

Good academic standing.

GPA of 3.00 or higher in all work required for licensure taken at NIU.

A grade of B or better in ENGL 647 and ENGL 648, and a GPA of 3.00 or higher in all English courses required for licensure.

A satisfactory review of progress toward the license with the coordinator each semester.

Courses Required for Educator Licensure in English Language Arts (42-45)

ENGL 207 - Fundamentals of English Grammar (3), unless exempted by examination
At least 6 semester hours of American literature, ordinarily to include work in American literature before 1865
At least 12 semester hours of English literature, ordinarily to include Shakespeare
At least 3 semester hours of linguistics
At least 3 semester hours of advanced writing or rhetoric
Twelve semester hours in student teaching (ENGL 649)

ENGL 646 - Theory and Research in Literature for English Language Arts Credits: 3
ENGL 647 - Theory and Research in Written Composition Credits: 3
ENGL 648 - Materials and Methods of Teaching English Language Arts Credits: 3
ENGL 647, ENGL 646, and ENGL 648 must be taken in that order and in separate semesters.

Additional information

Students who have not satisfied all requirements in English as part of their undergraduate programs may satisfy the remaining requirements, except for student teaching, with graduate-level courses. Upon the approval of the director of graduate studies in English, such courses may also be included in the program of studies for the graduate degree. Students seeking both a degree and educator licensure in English Language Arts should be careful to consult regularly with the director of graduate studies in English and with the coordinator of educator licensure about using courses to satisfy requirements in both programs.

Students are admitted to ENGL 649, Student Teaching in Secondary English Language Arts, only after completing all other work required for the license and upon application to the coordinator. The methods course must be taken in the semester immediately preceding student teaching.

Courses Required outside Department

Clinical Experiences (100 clock hours)

The state of Illinois requires 100 clock hours of substantial, varied, and sequential clinical experience prior to student teaching. This requirement may be satisfied in a variety of ways; it will be met, in most instances, by successfully completing ILAS 201, ILAS 301, and ENGL 645.

Credit for clinical experiences may not be included in the program of studies for a graduate degree in English. Candidates should consult with the coordinator of educator licensure in English language arts about satisfying this requirement as soon as they have been admitted to the licensure program.

Other State Licensure Requirements

Other state requirements include course work in human growth and development, teaching of English Language Learners, and psychology of exceptional children. Students normally satisfy the requirement in human growth and development with EPS 406, Issues in Human Development and Learning (3). Students should consult with the coordinator of educator licensure in English language arts to determine which courses are approved for satisfying the additional requirements. Students must also pass the state of Illinois examination for licensure in teaching English Language Arts and fulfill any additional state of Illinois requirements.

Foreign Language

Students interested in educator licensure in secondary English language arts must satisfy the foreign language requirement for the B.A. in English at NIU, or the equivalent.