Program Mission: This program is aligned with the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) and is designed to meet the needs of practicing PreK-12 teachers who wish a planned program of study focusing on increasing pedagogical knowledge and skills. Course products may be used in the development of a portfolio for the NBPTS certification process.

Admission Requirements:

To be eligible for degree candidacy, applicants must:

• meet all of the requirements for admission to the Graduate School (see “Requirements for Degree-Seeking Students”).
• have obtained a bachelor’s degree from a regionally-accredited four-year college or university with a 2.75 cumulative grade point average (GPA) or a 2.75 GPA in the last two years of undergraduate work. [The last two years of undergraduate work is defined as all of the courses in the academic terms
• which constitute the last 60 semester hours (or equivalent) prior to graduation.] Official transcripts must be provided to document this work.
• submit a graduate admissions test score (GRE, MAT or GMAT).
• be a certified classroom teacher.

Degree Audit: The graduate plan of study is the EIU Degree Audit, which is generated automatically in the Degree Audit Reporting System (DARS) at the time of degree or certificate candidacy. Modifications of the standard EIU Degree Audit are submitted by the graduate coordinator to the certification officer in the Graduate School at the time modifications are approved. The Degree Audit serves as an unofficial summary of requirements for the program. Degree and certificate candidates are advised to review the comprehensive summary of the Degree Audit process specified on the “Requirements for All Degree and Certificate Candidates” section of the Graduate Catalog. Individual programs may require candidates to submit plans of study in addition to the Degree Audit, candidates should consult with the program coordinator.