Graduate students may complete NIU requirements for the State of Illinois Standard Special (K-12) Certificate through the music education area of the School of Music as part of the program for the M.M. in music with an area of study in music education. With adviser approval, graduate-level requirements for certification can be part of the 32 semester hours required for the degree.
Also see “Teacher Certification Information.”
Admission to Teacher Certification
To be admitted to the teacher certification program, the student must obtain program recommendations from the music education graduate certification coordinator, successfully complete the State of Illinois Basic Skills Test, complete MUSC 175 and MUSC 275 with grade of C or better, and be admitted to the Master of Music program with an area of study in music education.
Retention
To be retained in the teacher certification program, students must remain in good standing in the Graduate School. In addition, students can receive no final grade lower than C in music education courses (MUSC 275, MUSC 371, MUSC 372, MUSC 484), and must have and maintain an overall minimum GPA of 2.50 in all undergraduate course work required for certification. Students who fall below the required GPA in undergraduate certification course work may request one probationary term by filing a written appeal with the music education area coordinator. Students may not student teach if minimum GPA requirements are not met.
Admission to Student Teaching
At the end of the semester prior to student teaching, students will be screened to determine readiness for student teaching. The screening will consist of a review of academic records, the completion of all pre-student-teaching requirements, the presentation of an up-to-date professional folio, and an interview with the coordinator of teacher certification for the College of Visual and Performing Arts.