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Testing

Candidates for teacher licensure must take and pass two tests. These tests are required by the Illinois State Board of Education and should be taken at specific points in your program. Both of these tests are administered by the Illinois Licensure Testing System (formerly the Illinois Certification Testing System). about these tests and when you can take them.

Content Test

Students in all programs must pass the content test before beginning student teaching. The content tests are specific for each certificate, e.g., early childhood, elementary, biology, mathematics, etc.

edTPA

The edTPA should be completed during student teaching and must be passed before candidates can become licensed.

Coursework

The Illinois State Board of Education requires teacher preparation and subject area coursework for teacher certification. You’ll also complete the program for your degree from ²ÝݮӰÊÓ, enhancing your critical thinking and writing skills and exposing you to a broad range of subjects.

Subject Area Courses

All teacher candidates are required to have a certain number of semester hours in a subject area approved by the Illinois State Board of Education. Specific requirements are based on the licensure being pursued, and the requirements must be completed prior to student teaching.

• Early Childhood and Elementary Certification: 18 semester hours
• Secondary Certification: Minimum of 36 semester hours
• K-12 Certification: Minimum of 36 semester hours

Teacher Preparation Courses

Your foundation for a career in teaching will be built on a number of courses that will teach you how to be an effective educator and include content in all educational areas including curriculum, instruction, assessment, technology, and psychology. Your education coursework will consist of 33 to 43 semester hours of coursework, depending on the type of certification you wish to pursue. Your area of concentration or a second major are an additional 18 to 36 (or more) semester hours of coursework.

Program Requirements

The actual courses required in each of these areas varies by the program or degree you choose. Review the program requirements for each of our education programs.

• Early Childhood Education
• Elementary Education
• Secondary Education
• K–12 Certification

Educator Licensure Information

Upon successful completion of a School of Education program, graduating students are eligible for licensure in Illinois with the Professional Educator’s License (PEL).

• The licensure process is handled through the and required for educators who plan to teach in public school districts and many private schools.
• Set up an account through the . You will then receive an Illinois Educator Identification Number.
• If you have questions, reach out to Licensure Officers Tim Reed or Carolyn Poterek.

Classroom Experiences

All teacher candidates must also complete three classroom experiences: teacher aiding, mini-teaching, and student teaching. .