State of Illinois Teacher Certification
The Illinois State Board of Education requires three areas of course work for teacher certification: General Education Courses, Subject Area Courses, and Teacher Preparation Courses.
General Education Courses
All teacher certification candidates are required to take the College BASE Exam. The College BASE tests four subject areas: English, mathematics, science, and social studies. The exam measures knowledge of general education coursework. Depending on performance on the exam, candidates may be required to take additional general education courses to fulfill State of Illinois requirements.
Subject Area Courses
All teacher candidates are required to have a certain number of semester hours in a subject area approved by the Illinois State Board of Education. Specific requirements are based on the certification being pursued. Any deficiencies in the academic area of concentration or content area must be completed prior to student teaching.
- Early Childhood and Elementary Certification: 18 semester hours
- Secondary Certification: Minimum of 36 semester hours
- K-12 Certification: Minimum of 36 semester hours
Teacher Preparation Courses
There are core courses required, in addition to methods courses, which will serve as your foundation for a career in teaching. The education sequence will teach you how to be an effective educator and include content in all educational areas including curriculum, instruction, assessment, technology, and psychology. Depending on the type of certification you wish to pursue, your education coursework will consist of between 33 and 43 semester hours, which does not include any coursework needed to complete an academic area of concentration or content area.
Academic Planning Guides
The actual courses required in each of these areas varies by the program or degree you choose. For more information on required course work refer to the Academic Planning Guide specific to the program.
Academic Planning Guides for Undergraduate Programs
Academic Planning Guides for Graduate Programs
Teacher Approvals and Endorsements
- Bilingual Endorsement
- English as a Second Language (ESL) Endorsement
- LBS1 Special Education Approval (Limited)
- Middle School Endorsement