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2024-2025 EIU Undergraduate Catalog
Teacher Education
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Information about teacher education may be found at the following website: https://www.eiu.edu/edprep. Please check this site regularly: As rules, regulations, and dates change, you’ll find the most current information here.
Teacher Licensure Programs
The following information is intended to serve as a general guide for students wishing to qualify for an Illinois teaching license. While all of Eastern Illinois University’s teacher education programs are approved by the Illinois State Board of Education, only the state can issue a teaching license.
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Early Childhood, Elementary, and Middle Level
Students interested in Early Childhood (birth through grade 2) should major in Early Childhood Education. Early Childhood majors may add Elementary Education licensure. For Elementary (grade 1 through grade 6), students should pursue a major in Elementary Education. Students interested in teaching grade 5 through grade 8 should major in Middle Level Education.
High School
The route to teaching high school (grade 9 through grade 12) is through one of the academic majors with teacher licensure. Please refer to the College of Education teacher education web site (https://www.eiu.edu/coe/teached.php) for a listing of majors with teacher licensure.
5-12
Licensure/endorsements, valid for teaching from grade 5 through grade 12, are available in Career and Technical Education (Business Education, Family & Consumer Sciences Education, and Technology Education).
Pre-K-12
Licensure/endorsements, valid for teaching from pre-kindergarten through grade 12, are available in the following fields: Art, Foreign Language/World Languages and Cultures, Music, Physical Education/Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation, and Special Education.
Minors
Individuals wishing to pursue a minor may select from those outlined in the catalog. Teacher licensure minors are designed to help prepare individuals seeking licensure in a second teaching area and are only available to those who are completing a major in an approved teacher preparation program leading to high school or K-12 licensure. Completion of a teacher licensure 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 licensure program, you must complete the approved licensure 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 Licensure Programs
All students with a teacher licensure 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 license must be completed with a grade of “C” or better.
All post-baccalaureate teacher licensure candidates completing a teacher licensure 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 license must be completed with a grade of “C” or better. Professional Education Requirements
For individuals seeking licensure in Early Childhood, Elementary Education, Middle Level 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 High School, 5-12 (Career and Technical Education), or Pre-K-12 (Art, Foreign Language, Music or Physical Education) licensure 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 licensure program.
Secondary Education 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.
Illinois Licensure Tests
The State of Illinois has established a testing program as part of its teacher licensure program. This program consists of subject-matter knowledge tests, and the Teacher Performance Assessment (edTPA). Additional information is available on the COE website (https://www.eiu.edu/edprep/).
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 an 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.
In addition, all students in teacher licensure programs are required to pass the edTPA (teacher performance assessment) in order to receive a teaching license in Illinois or any other state. Students will make their edTPA submission during student teaching.
Application for Teaching Licenses
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 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 licensure program must be selected through the Selection Process for Undergraduate Teacher Education Programs.
To be selected a student must:
- Attend an Admission to Teacher Education meeting and submit a formal application for University Admission to Teacher Education,
- complete 29 s.h. or more of college level course work,
- 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/licensed 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 licensure by the State Code, the following are required by the Council on Teacher Education for University Approval to Take Teacher Education Courses:
- Selection (as described above).
- 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).
- Completed Speech and Hearing Clearance. Student must schedule an appointment with the Speech, Language, and Hearing Clinic for this.
- Documented “C” or better in CMN 1310G, ENG 1001G, and ENG 1002G, or their equivalents (a minimum of 9 semester hours is required).
- Documented “C” or better in 3 s.h. of college level math.
- Documented “C” or better in ELE 2050; SPE 3201 or SPE 3220; SED 2000 or KSR 2000 or MUS 2440 or CTE 2000 or ART 2400.
- 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/SED 4330 or a Departmental Methods Course; or ELE 3100 or ELE 3225 or MLE 3110/40001 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.
Criminal Background Investigations
At time of application for admission to teacher education, candidates must complete a criminal history background check through the university’s approved vendor. Students must complete a second criminal history background check prior to the start of the student teaching semester through the school district(s) in which the candidate will be completing student teaching. Students are responsible for the costs of these criminal history background investigations.
Application of Teacher Education Criteria to Other Programs
Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies Program
Students pursuing a BA in Interdisciplinary Studies degree are not eligible for teacher licensure as undergraduates. Those students wishing to pursue teacher licensure must either complete a degree in one of the University’s approved teacher education programs or complete the BA in Interdisciplinary 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 Licensure wishing to add a subsequent teaching endorsement)
All post-baccalaureate students seeking a teaching license (including those seeking a subsequent teaching endorsement) through any of EIU’s state approved licensure 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.
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 licensure 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 candidate who does not have the requisite undergraduate gpa may be admitted to teacher education upon providing evidence of 12 semester hours of post-baccalaureate coursework relevant to teaching licensure at 3.0 gpa level or above to the Executive Officer of the Council on Teacher Education.
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 licensure candidates completing a teacher licensure 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 license must be completed with a grade of “C” or better.
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.
A full semester (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 Licensure Programs and individual course listings for specific information.
Application Process
Every student planning to student teach must complete an electronic application one year prior to the semester in which the student plans to student teach. To student teach in Fall, the Student must apply by October 31, of the previous fall semester. To student teach in Spring, the student must apply by February 28, of the previous Spring semester. 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 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. Sites may be discontinued at any time at the discretion of the Office 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
- Course Prerequisites (other departmental requirements apply):
- Early Childhood Education Curriculum. Students must have completed Elementary Education 4880 and all prerequisites and co-requisites to it.
- Elementary Education Curriculum. Students must have completed Elementary Education 4880 and all prerequisites and co-requisites to it.
- Middle Level Education Curriculum. Students must have completed Elementary Education 4880 and all prerequisites and co-requisites to it.
- Special Education Curriculum. To student teach in Special Education, students must have completed Special Education 4900 and 4901, and all prerequisites to them.
- Secondary and Special Area Curricula. Students must have completed Educational Psychology 2330, Secondary Education 3330, and Secondary Education 4330, and all required departmental methods courses and all course prerequisites to those noted.
- 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.)
- Transfer students must have been in residence at EIU for at least one semester or one summer term.
- A PPD tuberculin test, health physical, and DCFS Mandated Reporter Training must be completed and documented within 90 days of the beginning of student teaching.
- A Criminal Background Investigation (CBI) must be completed prior to student teaching.
- Students will complete a sequence of supervised and evaluated pre-student teaching clinical experiences before the student teaching semester.
- Passing scores on the Illinois Content Area Test must be earned and documented prior to student teaching.
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:
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Successfully completes the student teaching experience (successful completion
is determined by the judgment of the University coordinator in consultation with
the cooperating teacher);
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Completes all departmental requirements which may apply.
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 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 Licensure 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.
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:
- 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.)
- A grade of C or better in each professional education course completed.
- Evidence of recent participation in professional organizations, meetings, and /or appropriate activities with youth.
- 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.
- 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.
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 being registered 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.
- Students enrolled in student teaching must assume all necessary transportation and living expenses.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 coursework 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. This class is designed to provide experiences with school populations in multicultural settings and students with disabilities. 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, Bahamas, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, New Zealand, South Africa, Spain, and others. Interested individuals should contact the COST Coordinator, COE Dean’s Office 1420 Buzzard Hall, for further information. Availability of sites is dependent upon Content Area.
Teacher Performance Assessment (edTPA)
All students in teacher licensure programs are required to pass the edTPA in order to receive a teaching license in Illinois or any other state. Students will make their edTPA submission during student teaching.
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 Licensure 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. |
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