Mar 18, 2024  
2013-2014 EIU Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2013-2014 EIU Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]


Teacher Education

Teacher Education



Information about teacher education may be found at the following website: http://www.eiu.edu/ceps/teached/. Please check this site regularly: As rules, regulations, and dates change, you’ll find the most current information here.

Teacher Certification Programs
The following information is intended to serve as a general guide for students wishing to qualify for an Illinois teaching certificate. While all of Eastern Illinois University’s teacher education programs are approved by the Illinois State Board of Education, only the state can issue teaching certificates.

Certificates Available


The State of Illinois currently issues a range of teaching certificates, all of which are available through various programs offered by Eastern. They are listed in the following table by name, type, and grade level:

  • Early Childhood Certificate (Birth through Grade 3)
  • Elementary Certificate (Kindergarten through Grade 9*)
  • High School Certificate (Grade 6 through Grade 12*)
  • Special Certificate (Kindergarten through Grade 12)

* Individuals wishing to teach in grades 6-8 are required to take specific course work relative to teaching in the middle grades.

Early Childhood and Elementary Certificates


Students interested in an Early Childhood certificate should major in Early Childhood Education. Early Childhood majors may add Elementary Education certification. For Elementary certification, students should pursue a major in Elementary Education as outlined in this section. Options available in the Elementary Education major are Middle School and General. Each of these options serves a different purpose, and students are urged to consult the Department of Early Childhood, Elementary and Middle Level Education for additional information.

High School Certificates


The route to a high school certificate is through one of the academic majors with teacher certification. Please refer to the College of Education and Professional Studies teacher education web site (www.eiu.edu/ceps/teached) for a listing of majors with teacher certification. Additional course work is required for students wishing to teach in grades 6-8.

Special Certificates


Special certificates, valid for teaching from kindergarten through grade 12, are available in the following fields: Art, Foreign Language, Music, Physical Education/Kinesiology & Sports Studies, and Special Education.

Minors


Individuals wishing to pursue a minor may select from those outlined in the catalog. Teacher certification minors are designed to help prepare individuals seeking certification in a second teaching area and are only available to those who are completing a major in an approved teacher preparation program of the same certificate type. Completion of a teacher certification minor does not guarantee that the individual will be granted an endorsement to teach in that field. Individuals must meet all requirements (including state tests) as set forth by the Illinois State Board of Education to be granted an endorsement in a second teaching field. Minors not so identified are considered “non-teaching” minors and, in most cases, do not meet Illinois state teaching requirements. Students must receive a grade of “C” or better in all courses and earn a 2.65 GPA in a teaching minor.

Requirements


Since not all requirements are listed in the same place, students should take note that they must satisfy all of the following:

  • University General Education Requirements
  • Major Requirements. (See appropriate major.)
  • Professional Education Requirements. (See below.)
  • Requirements for Admission to Teacher Education. (See below.)
  • Graduation Requirements

In order to graduate from a teacher certification program, you must complete the approved certification program and graduation requirements with a 2.65 cumulative and major GPA and complete all courses with a grade of “C” or better. Note: Some majors require a higher GPA; please consult departmental requirements.

Minimum Grade Requirement in Courses for Teacher Certification Programs


All students with a teacher certification major must receive a grade of “C” or better in all courses, regardless where they are taken, used toward graduation including general education, professional education, major and minor courses, all university required courses, and electives. Furthermore, any course used for the purpose of adding endorsements to a teaching certificate must be completed with a grade of “C” or better.

All post baccalaureate teacher certification candidates completing a teacher certification program must receive a grade of “C” or better in all courses, regardless where they are taken, used toward completion of the program. Furthermore, any course used for the purpose of adding endorsements to a teaching certificate must be completed with a grade of “C” or better.

Professional Education Requirements


For individuals seeking certificates in Early Childhood, Elementary Education, or Special Education, the Professional Education requirements are included as a part of the respective major and are outlined elsewhere in this section.

Individuals seeking a High School certificate, or a Special Certificate in Art, Foreign Language, Music or Physical Education must complete the following Professional Education requirements. Students must earn a grade of “C” or better in all professional education courses in order to graduate from a teacher certification program.

Regular Program Courses (Total 37-43 Hours)


  • Departmental Methods Credits: 3-9

Recommended Courses


The following courses are highly recommended to assure standards are met and may be required in your major (consult with advisor or your major listing):

Repeating Undergraduate Professional Education Courses with Field Experiences/Practica


Students may enroll in any undergraduate professional education course that includes a field experience or practicum no more than twice. Any students wishing to attempt a field experience/practicum course more than twice must appeal to the department in which the course is offered. The department will review the request and make a determination as to re-enrollment in the course. If the request is approved, a remediation plan must be developed and completed prior to re-enrollment. The remediation plan is to be developed by the department in consultation with the student. If the student’s request to re-enroll is denied, the student may seek reconsideration through the Office of the Dean, College of Education & Professional Studies.

Illinois Certification Tests


The State of Illinois has established a testing program as part of its teacher certification program. This program consists of a test of basic skills/academic proficiency, subject-matter knowledge tests, and an assessment of professional teaching. Students are limited to taking each of these tests a maximum of 5 times per test. Additional information is available on the CEPS website (www.eiu.edu/ceps/teached).

The Basic Skills Test/Test of Academic Proficiency measures basic skills in reading, writing, grammar, and mathematics. Students are required to pass this test for selection. Under Illinois law, no student may be admitted to a teacher education program without first passing the Basic Skills Test/Test of Academic Proficiency. Students can substitute a composite score of 22 or higher on the ACT plus Writing for the Basic Skills Test/Test of Academic Proficiency requirement.

Students are required to pass the content-area test in their discipline(s) no later than the end of the semester prior to student teaching. Furthermore, students must pass the content-area test in all other fields for which they are seeking as endorsement (in addition to hour requirements). Tests for additional endorsements do not need to be passed prior to student teaching, but must be passed prior to program completion.

The Assessment of Professional Teaching is a test over the Illinois Professional Teaching Standards and all teacher standards in English/Language Arts and Technology. This test must be passed before a student can receive a teaching license in Illinois or any other state.

Application for Teaching Certificates


Students should begin the process of applying for their teaching certificates early in the term in which they will graduate or complete all requirements.  Forms and instructions will be distributed by the Student Teaching Coordinators.

Admission to Teacher Education


Selection Process for Undergraduate Teacher Education Programs


All students (including native, transfer and post-baccalaureate students) who wish to enroll in an initial certification program must be selected through the Selection Process for Undergraduate Teacher Education Programs.

To be selected a student must:

  1. submit a formal application for University Admission to Teacher Education,
  2. complete 29 s.h. or more of college level course work,
  3. obtain and document passing scores on the Illinois Test of Basic Skills/Test of Academic Proficiency or obtain and document a composite score of 22 or higher on the ACT plus Writing, and
  4. establish a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.65 or higher.

Selection occurs at the close of each semester. Post-baccalaureate teacher education candidates must have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.65 on a 4.0 scale at the point of graduation with the bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. The undergraduate GPA will be used for selection for post-baccalaureate candidates. A post-baccalaureate student may use the graduate GPA for purposes of selection if the student has successfully completed a master’s degree program. (The student has the responsibility of notifying the dean’s office and furnishing evidence of the graduate GPA.)

University Approval to Take Teacher Education Courses


Approval to take courses does not of itself admit a student to a teacher education program. A student may not be considered for “University Approval to Take Teacher Education Courses” without being selected (see the section on the Selection Process above). The University Council on Teacher Education determines admission.

Applicants for University Approval to take Teacher Education Courses should be aware that Section 21-1 of the School Code of Illinois states in part, “No one shall be certified to teach or supervise at the public schools of the State of Illinois who is not of good character, good health and at least 19 years of age.” In addition to the qualifications required for teacher certification by the State Code, the following are required by the Council on Teacher Education for University Approval to Take Teacher Education Courses:

  1. Selection (as described above).
  2. Submitted letter of intent to Office of the Dean, College of Education and Professional Studies.
  3. Established and maintained an EIU cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.65/4.0 (Post-baccalaureate students required to have GPA 2.65 undergraduate, and 3.0 for courses #4750 and above taken at EIU).
  4. Completed Speech and Hearing Clearance. Student must schedule an appointment with the Speech, Language, and Hearing Clinic for this.
  5. Documented “C” or better in CMN 1310G, ENG 1001G, and ENG 1002G, or their equivalents (a minimum of 9 semester hours is required).
  6. Documented “C” or better in 3 s.h. of college level math.
  7. Documented “C” or better in ELE 2050; SPE 3201 or SPE 3220; SED 2000 or KSS 2000 or MUS 2440 or CTE 2000 or ART 2400.
  8. Completed the required Criminal Background Investigation (CBI).

When a student has met all of the above criteria, he/she will have earned “University Approval to Take Teacher Education Courses.”

Formal University Admission to Teacher Education Programs


To be formally admitted to Teacher Education Programs, students must be selected, have earned University Approval to Take Teacher Education Courses and successfully complete SED 3330/EDP 3331 or SED 3100 or ELE 3100 or ELE 3250 or MLE 3110 or SPE 4800/4820 with a grade of “C” or better and earn positive practicum evaluations, thus demonstrating the knowledge, skills and dispositions of one desiring to enter the teaching profession.  Students selected under the selection process in place prior to Fall 2002 must also pass the Illinois Certification Test of Basic Skills/Test of Academic Proficiency. A composite score of 22 or higher on the ACT plus Writing can be substituted for the Test of Basic Skills/Test of Academic Proficiency.

Criminal Background Investigations


At time of application for admission to teacher education, candidates must complete an Illinois State Police fingerprint-based criminal history check. Candidates must complete a second Illinois State Police fingerprint-based criminal history check the semester prior to student teaching. The fingerprint-based criminal background investigation is conducted by the Illinois State Police and is processed through an outside vendor. Students are responsible for the costs of these criminal background investigations.

Education Scholars Program


Incoming freshman students who have demonstrated excellent scholarship as measured by ACT scores and high school class rank may be eligible to be admitted to the Education Scholars Program in the College of Education and Professional Studies.

Community college transfer students who have demonstrated excellent scholarship at the community college as measured by GPA and involvement in co-curricular and extra-curricular activities may also be eligible for admission to the Education Scholars Program.

Students must remain in good academic standing and continue to meet teacher education requirements to remain in the Education Scholars Program.

For information about the Education Scholars Program, contact the College of Education and Professional Studies or the Admissions Office, or visit the College of Education and Professional Studies teacher education web site at http://www.eiu.edu/~ceps/teached.

Application of Teacher Education Criteria to Other Programs


Bachelor in General Studies Program


Students pursuing a BA in General Studies degree are not eligible for teacher certification as undergraduates. Those students wishing to pursue teacher certification must either complete a degree in one of the University’s approved teacher education programs or complete the BA in General Studies degree and then seek admission to one of the approved  teacher education programs as post-baccalaureate students.

Post-Baccalaureate Students


(Including those currently holding an Illinois Teaching Certificate wishing to add a subsequent teaching certificate)

All Post-baccalaureate students seeking a teaching certificate (including those seeking a subsequent teaching certificate) through any of EIU’s state approved certification programs are expected to meet the full intent of the respective programs. All previous course work, either graduate or undergraduate, will be evaluated in terms of current requirements. This will include general education, a major, and the professional education requirements. Post-baccalaureate students must complete a minimum of 15 semester hours at EIU prior to student teaching.  Individuals currently holding an Illinois Teaching Certificate and seeking to add a subsequent teaching certificate may request to substitute one year of documented, successful, full-time teaching on a valid teaching certificate for Student Teaching.

Departments may require additional course work within their major to bring the student’s background into compliance with the intent of this institution’s state-approved certification program. Departments may also require previous work to be repeated if it is outdated. Post-baccalaureate students are subject to all Admission to Teacher Education requirements (See previous section).

Individuals who enter the University as post-baccalaureate students must have completed an undergraduate degree program at an accredited institution of higher education and graduated with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.65 or higher on a 4.0 scale. A post-baccalaureate student’s undergraduate GPA will be used for the purpose of selection.

If the student’s undergraduate GPA in the area of the approved program he/she wishes to follow was below a 2.65 (on a four point scale), 12 semester hours must be taken in the major to establish a grade-point average in the major of at least 2.65 or better. (Higher GPAs may be required by some departments.)

All post-baccalaureate teacher certification candidates completing a teacher certification program must receive a grade of “C” or better in all courses, regardless where they are taken, used toward completion of the program. Furthermore, any course used for the purpose of adding endorsements to a teaching certificate must be completed with a grade of “C” or better.

Appeal Process for Selection GPA for Post-Baccalaureate Students

A post-baccalaureate student may use the graduate GPA for purposes of selection if the student has successfully completed a master’s degree program.  (The student has the responsibility of notifying the dean’s office and furnishing evidence of the graduate GPA.)

Post-baccalaureate students may appeal the use of the undergraduate GPA to the Executive Officer of the Council on Teacher Education (the Dean of the College of Education and Professional Studies) and request the use of an alternative GPA for purposes of the selection if the student:

Completed the baccalaureate degree five years ago or more and has evidence of 12 semester hours of post-baccalaureate course work relevant to teaching certification at a 3.0 GPA level or above.

The student is encouraged to appeal early in the semester in which the 12 semester hours will be completed.

The appeals decisions of the Executive Officer of the Council on Teacher Education are final. 

Post-baccalaureate certification requires a commitment of a minimum of three or more semesters. Professional education course work and student teaching for some programs are sequenced over four semesters. For most students, the program takes about two years to complete. Not all courses are offered every semester and summer offerings may be limited. In order to be ready to register for classes, a student must have a completed transcript evaluation specifying all courses needed to earn certification. All students must complete General Education, Professional Education, and major department requirements for initial certification. All students considering this program should contact the Office of the Dean, College of Education and Professional Studies. There are fees related to this professional certification transcript evaluation process.

Admission to the Graduate School does NOT constitute Admission to Teacher Education. Students should apply for Admission to Teacher Education within the first thirty days of enrollment as a post-baccalaureate student. Application for student teaching placement is a separate process. Please follow the instructions for student teaching placement as outlined in this catalog.

Revocation of Admission to Teacher Education


Under certain conditions admission to teacher education may be revoked by the Council on Teacher Education. Major causes of revocation are explained at the scheduled admissions meeting.

Student Teaching


To be eligible for a student teaching assignment, a student must attain 90 semester hours or more toward graduation and must have complied with all regulations and qualifications relative to “University Approval to take Teacher Education Courses” and “University Approval to Student Teach.” Students must register for Student Teaching 4001 through EIU to qualify for graduation. Registration and fees are required as with other regular course work. Students are assigned to student teach in public schools in one of the student teaching centers located throughout the state. Assignments are made by the Student Teaching Coordinators. The public school cooperating teacher to whom each student is assigned holds licensure consistent with the licensure the student teacher is seeking and the setting and subject area assignment are appropriate to the license. Students engaged in student teaching are limited to a total academic load of 13 semester hours (except in Special Education) and the number of hours of outside work permitted is restricted.

Individuals who hold a valid teaching license, have student taught previously in completion of an approved teacher education program, and document one year or more successful teaching experience as the teacher responsible for delivering the Special Education components of the individualized educational program, may substitute completion of 6 s.h. of Special Education course work specific to instructional strategies for the student teaching experience.  This course work must result in successful completion of supervised, evaluated practica.

A full semester (15 or 16 weeks) of assigned student teaching/professional experience is required of all students seeking initial licensure. Students should consult the Professional Education Requirements for Teacher Certification Programs and individual course listings for specific information.

Application Process


Every student planning to student teach must complete an electronic application during the Fall semester preceding the academic year in which the student plans to student teach. For example, a student who plans to student teach during the 2015-16 academic year must complete the application in Fall 2014. Failure to complete the application by the deadline may result in a one-year delay in student teaching.

Placement Centers


All student teaching at Eastern is completed in approved sites only. Student Teaching Coordinators make placements, supervise and evaluate student teachers in collaboration with the public school cooperating teacher in the local schools. Students must student teach in an approved site. Students cannot student teach in districts where they attended school or in districts in which relatives are employed or where there is a significant conflict of interest. Students cannot be employed in the district in which they are student teaching. The University retains the right to determine student teaching placement(s).

Student Teaching sites are available in several regions of Illinois, but we do not have sites in all areas. Maps of current sites are available on the Student Teaching website. From these maps, students must rank-order four geographical areas as preference for student teaching region. There is absolutely no guarantee that any of these preferences can be honored. In addition, a site may be discontinued at any time at the discretion of the Department of Student Teaching.

Many school districts (especially those in the Chicago area) have additional criteria and standards for those who wish to student teach. Placement in the Chicago area is very competitive.

Prerequisites and Requirements for Student Teaching


  1. Course Prerequisites:
    1. Early Childhood Education Curriculum. Students must have completed Elementary Education 4880 and all prerequisites and co-requisites to it.
    2. Elementary Education School Curriculum. Students must have completed Elementary Education 4880 and all prerequisites and co-requisites to it.
    3. Special Education Curriculum. To student teach in Special Education, students must have completed Special Education 4900 and 4901, and all prerequisites to them.
    4. Secondary and Special Area Curricula. Students must have completed Educational Psychology 3331 and Secondary Education 3330, and all required departmental methods courses and all course prerequisites to those noted.
  2. Students must complete courses in the major with a minimum of a 2.65 GPA and a 2.65 cumulative GPA. (NOTE: Some majors require a higher GPA; please consult departmental requirements.) Students who were selected under the selection process in place prior to Fall 2002 are required to complete courses in the major with a minimum of a 2.50, and a 2.50 cumulative GPA.  (NOTE: Some majors require a higher GPA; please consult departmental requirements.)
  3. Transfer students must have been in residence at EIU for at least one semester or one summer term.
  4. A PPD tuberculin test must be completed and documentation provided to University Health Services within 90 days of the beginning of student teaching.
  5. A Criminal Background Investigation (CBI) must be completed prior to student teaching.
  6. Students will complete a sequence of supervised and evaluated pre-student teaching clinical experiences before the student teaching semester.
  7. Effective Fall 2004 student teaching may not commence until passing scores on the Illinois Content Area Test have been earned and documented.

Granting of Credit for the Student Teaching Experience


Student Teaching 4001 is a credit or no-credit course.  A credit will be earned only if the candidate does each of the following:

  1. Successfully completes the student teaching experience (successful completion is determined by the judgment of the University coordinator in consultation with the cooperating teacher);
  2. Completes all departmental requirements which may apply.

Criminal Background Investigations


All teacher licensure candidates are required to submit to a fingerprint-based criminal background investigation. The criminal background investigation is conducted by the Illinois State Police and is processed through an outside vendor. Students are responsible for the cost of this criminal background investigation.

Students may be required to complete additional criminal background investigations required by school districts in which they are assigned to student teach. Students should complete the criminal background investigation for EIU prior to completing any such investigations for school districts. Students are also responsible for the cost of criminal background investigations required by school districts.

University Approval to Student Teach


Approval to Student Teach is a multiple-step process, including earning “Departmental Approval to Student Teach.” The Office of the Dean of the College of Education and Professional Studies will send the applying student’s name to the major department for Departmental Approval to Student Teach.  Students must complete courses in the major with a minimum of a 2.65 GPA and a 2.65 cumulative GPA. (NOTE: Some majors require a higher GPA; please consult departmental requirements.)  In addition, students must document passage of Illinois Certification content-area test in their discipline(s) no later than the end of the semester prior to student teaching.

Every student planning to student teach must complete an electronic application. Failure to complete the application materials by the deadline may result in a one-year delay in student teaching.

Students must have received conditional “University Approval to Student Teach,” including department approval, no later than mid-term of the semester prior to student teaching, with final approval granted at the close of the semester.  A student who is refused “University Approval to Student Teach” or whose approval is revoked may appeal the decision to the Council on Teacher Education. The decision of the council is final.  Appeal forms may be secured in the office of the Dean, College of Education and Professional Studies.

Departmental Approval to Student Teach


After a student has applied to student teach s/he must contact his/her own major department and submit an application to that department for “Departmental Approval to Student Teach.” “Departmental Approval to Student Teach” is the responsibility of the candidate’s major department and must include the following:
 

  1. Completion of courses in the major with a minimum of a 2.65 GPA and a 2.65 cumulative GPA. (NOTE: Some majors require a higher average in the major; please consult departmental requirements.)
  2. A grade of C or better in each professional education course completed.
  3. Evidence of recent participation in professional organizations, meetings, and /or appropriate activities with youth.
  4. A portfolio submitted by the student to the department which includes: lesson plans, unit plans, and evidence of group work, communication skills, and ability to work well with youth (including #3 above), and a résumé.
  5. Other criteria as determined by the student’s major department. Department criteria are available in the Department Office.

Students must have received “University Approval to Student Teach,” including department approval, no later than mid-term of the semester prior to student teaching (on or before October 15 for Spring student teaching; or on or before March 15 for Fall student teaching). A student who is refused “University Approval to Student Teach,” or whose approval is revoked may appeal the decision to the Council on Teacher Education. The decision of the Council is final. Appeal forms may be secured from the Office of the Dean, College of Education and Professional Studies.

Pre-Placement Meeting


The first step in the placement process is a required meeting between the student and the prospective Student Teaching Coordinator who will be making placement arrangements. At this meeting the student and Coordinator will discuss the issues related to placement. Students must know any and all departmental placement requirements prior to meeting with the Student Teaching Coordinator and must have applied for graduation.

Registration


Student teachers must be registered for credit during the student teaching semester.  Each student is responsible for registering for the section of STG 4001 (Student Teaching) appropriate for the major:

  • Special Education should register for STG 4001, Section 016 (16 sem. hrs.)
  • All other majors should register for STG 4001, Section 012 (12 sem. hrs.)

Responsibilities During Student Teaching


Students have a wide variety of responsibilities during student teaching. These responsibilities may extend well beyond the time when students go home at the end of the day. Student teachers should be prepared to attend school-related activities as determined to be appropriate in consultation with the cooperating teacher.

  1. Students enrolled in student teaching must assume all necessary transportation and living expenses.
  2. Students enrolled in student teaching are encouraged to live in the community in which they do their teaching and are expected to follow the local school calendar.
  3. Student teachers are expected to follow the same schedule as their Cooperating teacher(s). Student teachers will be prepared to engage in school-related activities as determined appropriate in consultation with their cooperating teachers.
  4. Students engaged in student teaching are expected to participate in all activities with their Cooperating teacher(s), including extracurricular activities, guidance programs, audio-visual programs, after-school programs, study hall supervision, preparation of assembly programs, field trips, dramatics, attendance at P.T.O. meetings, and faculty meetings. Student teachers are generally expected to participate as faculty members would in all of the activities of the school and community.
  5. Students who are absent from school (except for student teaching seminars and approved meetings) are expected to complete additional days to make up the days missed.
  6. Attendance is expected at a series of seminars related to student teaching. Seminars will be planned and implemented by the Student Teaching Coordinators.

Course Work During Student Teaching Semester


Taking additional course during student teaching is generally not allowed. Students who wish to take another course during the student teaching semester must be granted a waiver from the University Academic Waiver Appeals Committee (UAWAC). If course work interferes with the student teaching experience students will be required to drop the course or student teaching.

Outside Activities/Employment During the Student Teaching Semester


If a student’s activities or work schedule interferes with student teaching, the student will be requested to make changes in those activities or work schedule so they do not interfere with student teaching.

Termination of Student Teaching Placement


Students are guests of the host school district. A School district and/or the University retains the right to terminate a student teaching placement. A subsequent conference to examine options will be held with the student and the Student Teaching Coordinator and/or Student Teaching Chair, with input from the major department as needed or appropriate.

STG 4000


ALL teacher licensure majors (including Post Baccalaureate students) MUST take STG 4000 (except for ISEP students who complete the multicultural requirements within the course modules). This class is designed to provide experiences with school populations in multicultural settings and students with disabilities. Some students may wish to take STG 4000 during the student teaching semester. Options for STG 4000.

  1. A student may be placed in an approved multicultural site during student teaching and complete a packet of activities.  Some regions have limited multicultural placement opportunities.  Students who wish to complete this option must discuss this option with their coordinators during the pre-placement meeting.
  2. A student who is student teaching in non-approved sites may complete the course by participating for an additional 25 contact hours in an approved multicultural site.  A student in a non-approved site will work with his/her student teaching coordinator to complete the 25 hours in an approved site during the student teaching semester.

Overseas Student Teaching


EIU is a member of the Consortium for Overseas Student Teaching (COST), a group of state and private universities committed to quality overseas student teaching experiences. Under the agency of this organization, Eastern offers qualified students an opportunity to do their student teaching abroad. Placements for overseas student teaching are made in selected schools in Australia, Ecuador, Germany, Ireland, Netherlands, New Zealand, Malaysia, Scotland, Wales, and others. Interested individuals should contact the COST Coordinator, Department of Student Teaching, 2418 Buzzard Hall, for further information.  Availability of sites is dependent upon Content Area.

Assessment of Professional Teaching


The Assessment of Professional Teaching (APT) is a test over the Illinois Professional Teaching Standards and all teacher standards in English/Language Arts and Technology. The appropriate APT test must be passed before a student can receive a teaching license in Illinois or any other state.

Application for Teaching Licensure


Students should begin the process of applying for their teaching license early in the term in which they will graduate or complete all requirements. Forms and instructions will be distributed through student teaching coordinators during the student teaching semester. Students should see the earlier section for information about the Illinois Certification Tests.

Application for Graduation


Students should apply for graduation a minimum of one semester prior to student teaching. Please contact your College Graduation Officer for more information.