Teacher Education
The Council on Teacher Education is a central administrative unit that serves as the liaison between campus teacher, school support, and administrator preparation programs and the Illinois State Board of Education. In this liaison role, the Council is responsible for ensuring that state-mandated licensure and program requirements are met. The Council also oversees the review and approval of Illinois State Board of Education-approved professional development activities offered by Illinois personnel for licensed educators.
Requirements
Licensure requirements may change at any time in response to new mandates from the Illinois State Board of Education or the Illinois General Assembly.
Admissions
Applicants to educator preparation programs must satisfy the admission criteria established by the college and department that offer their chosen curricula.
Admission to an educator preparation program does not imply eligibility for Illinois licensure. Certain criminal convictions - specified in Articles 10-21.9 and 21B-80 of the School Code of Illinois - may temporarily or permanently disqualify an individual from obtaining a teaching license or working in Illinois public schools. Questions regarding these restrictions should be directed to the Council on Teacher Education.
Continuation in an Educator Preparation Program
GPA Requirements
- Undergraduate candidates must maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 (A=4.0)
- Graduate candidates must maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 (A=4.0)
The Council on Teacher Education reviews each student's academic record at the end of the fall and spring semesters. Students whose GPAs fall below the minimum receive a warning letter indicating that continuation in the program, enrollment in student teaching or internships, and recommendation for licensure are at risk. If the minimum GPA is not restored in the subsequent term, the Council may remove the student from the licensure program.
Professional Dispositions and Behaviors
Teaching effectiveness depends not only on academic performance but also on professional dispositions and behaviors. Faculty evaluations of these characteristics inform decisions about program continuation and licensure recommendations.
Health and Well-Being
Recognizing that physical and mental health can influence teaching effectiveness, faculty and advisors may refer students to campus counseling and medical services as needed; students may choose to access these services. In exceptional cases, the Council may require evidence of a student's physical and mental health fitness for continued participation in an educator preparation program.
Criminal Background Investigation
Illinois law requires school districts to conduct background checks on all students participating in field experiences. Accordingly, each educator preparation student must authorize school districts in which they are completing field experience placements to initiate a criminal background check, which may include fingerprinting. Students are responsible for any associated fees. A school district may not host a student with a licensure-disqualifying offense on record.
Student Teaching and Internships
Student teaching and internship placements require enrollment in a designated course specified by the educator preparation program, successful completion of all academic and professional prerequisites, and faculty recommendation. Programs make every effort to secure placements; however, school districts determine whether to accept a student, and placements cannot be guaranteed. Because student teaching and most internships require a full-time commitment, students should plan ahead to meet scheduling and financial obligations, including any additional expenses such as transportation to and from placement sites.
Students admitted to an approved licensure program progress toward licensure by completing all required coursework, field experiences, and state licensure tests. All professional education and content-area courses counting toward licensure, endorsements, or approvals must be completed with a grade of C- or higher.
During their final term, students apply for licensure through their Council on Teacher Education portal. After the Council processes this application, students must claim and register their license through the Illinois State Board of Education's Educator Licensure Information System (ELIS). Students should be aware that licensure requirements may change at any time by action of the Illinois State Board of Education or the legislature; if they delay claiming their license, they may be required to meet updated requirements before becoming licensed.
Students who complete degree requirements but do not meet all licensure requirements, may, at their program's discretion, still be awarded a degree without being recommended for licensure. Students who believe that a decision affecting their progression or recommendation for licensure was made unfairly or in error may file a complaint or purse a grievance through the Council's established procedures.
State Approved Licensure Programs
Undergraduate
College of Agriculture, Consumer and Environmental Sciences
- Agricultural Education, Grades 5-12
- Family and Consumer Sciences, Grades 5-12
College of Applied Health Sciences
- Physical Education, Grades PK-12
College of Education
- Early Childhood Education, Birth-Grade 2 (Includes Early Childhood Special Education Approval)
- Elementary Education, Grades 1-6
- Learning Behavior Specialist I, Grade K - Age 22
- Middle Grades Education, Grades 5-8
- Options include English Language Arts, Math, Social Science, and Science
- Secondary Education Mathematics, Grades 9-12
- Teacher Education Minor in Secondary School Teaching, Grades 9-12
- Computer Science + Education, Grades 5-12
College of Engineering
- Physics, Grades 9-12
College of Fine and Applied Arts
- Music Education, Grades PK-12
-
Visual Arts Education, Grades PK-12
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
- English Language Arts, Grades 9-12
- Mathematics, Grades 9-12
- Science: Biology, Grades 9-12
- Science: Chemistry, Grades 9-12
- Science: Earth and Space Science, Grades 9-12
- Social Science: History, Grades 9-12
- World Language: French, Grades PK-12
- World Language: German, Grades PK-12
- World Language: Spanish, Grades PK-12
- World Language: Japanese, Grades PK-12
Graduate
College of Agriculture, Consumer and Environmental Sciences
- Agricultural Education, Grades 5-12
College of Applied Health Sciences
- Physical Education, Grades PK-12
- Speech-Language Pathologist, Grades PK-22
College of Education
- Early Childhood Education, Birth-Grade 2 (Includes Early Childhood Special Education Approval)
- Elementary Education, Grades 1-6
- Learning Behavior Specialist I, Grade K - Age 22
- Learning Behavior Specialist II, Multiple Disabilities, Grades PK - Age 22
- Middle Grades Education, Grades 5-8
- Options include English Language Arts, Math, and Science
- Secondary Education, Grades 9-12
- Options include English Language Arts, Math, Social Science: History, and Science: Biology, Chemistry, or Physics
- Principal, Grades PK-12
- Superintendent, Grades PK-12
College of Fine and Applied Arts
- Music Education, Grades PK-12
-
Visual Arts Education, Grades PK-12
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
- World Language: German, Grades PK-12
- World Language: Spanish, Grades PK-12
- World Language: Japanese, Grades PK-12
- Latin, Grades PK-12
School of Information Sciences
- Library Information Specialist, Grades PK-12
School of Social Work
- School Social Worker, Grades PK-12