Standard High School Certificate*
The Social Science Teaching Major is designed to meet the needs of students who wish to teach Social Studies subjects in Illinois secondary schools. The major’s disciplinary curriculum consists of courses in the social sciences (economics, geography, history, political science, psychology, sociology and anthropology). Students must receive a grade of “C” or higher in all courses which apply to the major and must maintain a major grade point average of 3.0 or higher and a cumulative grade point average of 2.75 or higher to complete the program. For students also wanting to be eligible to teach in the middle school, additional Middle Level Education courses are required.
The Social Science Teaching Major comprises
- 40 hours of general education (Note: Some courses required by the Social Science Teaching major meet general education requirements);
- 34 hours in the professional education core (Regular program: SED 2000, EDF 2555G, SED 3330, EDP 2330, SED 4330, EDF 4550, SPE 4500, STG 4000, STG 4001;
- 67-68 hours in major courses (see courses listed below under “Required Major Courses” for each designation).
This major requires that students follow and meet the requirements for Admission, Retention and Graduation from Teacher Licensure programs as described in the Teacher Licensure Programs section of this catalog and as explained at the University Admission to Teacher Education Meeting which all students must attend. Students must gain University Approval to Take Teacher Education Courses no later than the end of their first semester Junior year in order to use this suggested plan. Additional information on Admission, Retention and Graduation for Teacher Licensure programs can be found on the College of Education & Professional Studies website at http://www.eiu.edu/ceps/teached.
All students must pass the Illinois Licensure Test of Academic Proficiency (TAP). Students can substitute ACT plus Writing or SAT scores for the TAP if they meet the minimum scores set by the Illinois State Board of Education. These scores can be found at http://www.eiu.edu/ceps/teached or by contacting the CEPS Dean’s Office. Students should complete this requirement no later than their sophomore year.
Students must receive a “C” or better in all courses used toward graduation, regardless of where they are taken. This includes general education, professional education, major and minor courses, all university required courses, and electives. Students must maintain a minimum cumulative and major GPA of 2.65 in order to continue in the education program. Students must receive a “C” or better in all coursework, and maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 and major GPA of 3.00, in order to be approved for student teaching. Approval for student teaching requires that the minimum GPA be held at the beginning of the semester prior to the student-teaching semester. Students must also pass the requisite state content test in order for student teaching approval.
Students must complete the professional education coursework following the Regular Secondary Education Professional Education Course Sequence. Information is also available in the Teacher Licensure Program section of this catalog.
Students must pass the edTPA (teacher performance assessment) before they can receive their teaching license from Illinois or any other state. Students will make their edTPA submission during student teaching.
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