Students seeking initial licensure in Biology to teach in grades 9-12 (Standard High School License) must schedule an interview with the departmental licensure coordinator to formulate a specific plan of study. Because licensure requires additional courses beyond the major, consulting the coordinator before registering for the initial term will facilitate expeditious completion of the program.
Students seeking licensure will also major in Biological Sciences unless they already hold a baccalaureate or higher degree in that discipline.
Students are responsible for timely submission of the several applications and permits required during the program.
Undergraduate majors may apply for admission to educator licensure in Biology at the end of their sophomore year, except in the case of transfer students who normally apply at the end of their first semester at NIU.
Students transferring biology course credits from other institutions will complete additional NIU courses as determined by the departmental licensure coordinator.
Individuals who want to obtain initial licensure as postgraduates or while majoring in another area should consult the departmental licensure coordinator. Students who want to obtain initial licensure while enrolled in a graduate program or as students-at-large should consult the Graduate Catalog and the certification coordinator.
Students who already possess a baccalaureate or higher degree and wish to pursue licensure without becoming a candidate for a degree should consult with the department licensure coordinator as early as possible to plan a course of study.
Admission
Requirements listed in this section are minimum requirements. Meeting these requirements will not guarantee students admission to the biology educator licensure program or courses.
Submitted an application in writing to the Program Director.
Earned a minimum GPA of 2.50 in all course work at NIU.
Earned a minimum combined GPA of 2.80 in all NIU science and mathematics courses numbered 200 and above.
Completed a satisfactory interview with the coordinator in which the student demonstrates attitudes and motivations appropriate to the professional educator.
Completed at least BIOS 208/BIOS 210, BIOS 209/BIOS 211, and at least 8 other biology credits counting toward the Biological Sciences major.
Completed the following with a grade of C- or better (higher numbered courses may be substituted, if approved by the coordinator and all of the following are available for general education credit).
Students admitted to the program must maintain the GPA requirements and complete a satisfactory review of progress each semester with the licensure coordinator.
A grade of C- or better is necessary in all required course work listed in the Biology Education licensure program.
General Requirements and Information
The State of Illinois has established course and standards-based requirements for licensure. Approved licensure programs must have requirements that meet or exceed the state requirements. A list of current state minimum requirements is available from the Illinois State Board of Education web page. The department’s licensure 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 9-12 grade level or proof comparable teaching experience at the 9-12 level, student teaching or an approved teaching experience passage of the Biology examination of the Illinois LIcensure Testing System, and demonstration that the candidate has met all state and national science teaching standards.
Outlined below is the state-approved required course work for licensure in Biology Education. It is strongly recommended that students completing requirements for the teaching license in biology also obtain an additional endorsement in at least one science subject (e.g., chemistry, Earth and space science, environmental science, and/or physics).
Please note: The following classes for educator licensure may change to reflect new state requirements. For extra-departmental requirements see “Educator Licensure Requirements” and the departmental licensure coordinator.
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