Students wishing to receive initial certification in general science (geology area) or physical science (geology area) to teach in grades 6-12 (Standard High School Certificate) must schedule an interview with the departmental certification coordinator to formulate a specific plan of study. Consulting the coordinator before registering for the initial term will facilitate expeditious completion of the program.
The specific plan of study for meeting certification or endorsement requirements must be approved by the departmental certification coordinator. Students must consult with the coordinator each semester before registering and are responsible for timely submission of the several required applications and permits.
Students who are also pursuing an advanced degree in geology should consult their academic adviser and the certification coordinator before registering for their first term at NIU. Students seeking teacher certification or endorsement without enrollment in the degree program should, prior to their first registration, consult the departmental certification coordinator.
Also see “Teacher Certification Information.”
Admission Requirements
Requirements listed in these sections are minimum requirements. Meeting these requirements will not guarantee students admission to the geology teacher certification program or courses.
Application in writing to the departmental certification coordinator. Minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.50 overall and 2.70 in courses in physical and biological sciences and mathematics.
Completion (Some or all of these requirements may be met by prior course work.) of COMS 100, ENGL 103, ENGL 104, and MATH 155 with a grade of C or better (higher numbered courses may be substituted, if approved by the coordinator); ILAS 301; and 9 semester hours of NIU geology and environmental geosciences courses for graduate credit; and a passing score on the ICTS Basic Skills Test.
Satisfactory interview with the coordinator, in which the student demonstrates attitudes and motivations appropriate to the professional educator.
Retention
Requirements listed in these sections are minimum requirements. Meeting these requirements will not guarantee students admission to the geology teacher certification program or courses.
GPA at NIU of 2.50 in undergraduate courses taken as a graduate student or student-at-large and 3.00 in graduate courses.
Satisfactory review of progress with the departmental certification coordinator each semester before registration for the following semester.
Appropriate progress each semester towards completion of a portfolio demonstrating competency in the State of Illinois required standards for initial teacher certification.
Passing score on the ICTS Content Area Test prior to student teaching.
For general science, prior to student teaching, completion of 8 semester hours of biological sciences, including at least 3 semester hours numbered 200 or above.
Endorsement Requirements
Requirements listed in these sections are minimum requirements. Meeting these requirements will not guarantee students admission to the geology teacher certification program or courses.
Some or all of these requirements may be met by prior course work.
To meet public school needs, students are required to qualify for endorsements to teach in another area. This may be done by
EITHER
completing 15 semester hours of course work in another area of physical science (e.g., chemistry and physics) and qualification for endorsement to teach in that area.
OR
completing course work sufficient to qualify for endorsement in a field other than a physical science (e.g., mathematics or biological sciences).
Completion Requirements
The State of Illinois has established course and standards-based requirements for certification. Approved certification programs must have requirements that meet or exceed the state requirements. A list of the current state minimum requirements is available from the Illinois State Board of Education web page. The department’s certification 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 hours in the field, pre-student teaching clinical experiences at the 6-12 level or proof of teaching experience at the 6-12 level, student teaching or an approved teaching experience, passage of the basic skills and secondary certificate subject matter examinations of the Illinois Certification Testing System, and demonstration that the candidate has met science teaching standards.
Contact the certification coordinator for information on the necessary criteria that experiences must meet to demonstrate fulfillment of certification requirements.
All retention and endorsement requirements listed above
Course work in two areas selected from space science, atmospheric science, and oceanography Credits: 6
Upper-division course work in earth science Credits: 6
GEOL 320 - Environments and Life Through Time Credits: 4
GEOL 325 - Solid Earth Composition Credits: 4
GEOL 330 - Global Cycles Credits: 4
GEOL 335 - Dynamics and Structure of the Earth Credits: 4
GEOL 482 - Transition to the Professional Earth Science Teacher Credits: 1
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