Undergraduate Catalog 2024-2025

Degree Requirements

Teacher licensure is gained by completing a sequence of professional courses leading to completion of an approved initial teacher preparation program in the State of Illinois. In the first two years, students complete a program of general education. During the third and fourth years, students complete work in the major teaching field and in professional education coursework.

Students wishing to teach at the secondary level (grades 9-12) major in one of the following:

• Biological Sciences
• Chemistry
• English
• Geography
• History
• Mathematics
• Political Science
• Theater and Dance

Students wishing to teach at the PK-12 level major in the following:

• Foreign Language

• Obtain a Bachelor of Arts in a major field through the academic discipline in the College of Arts and Sciences and Professional Educator Licensure (9-12) through the Department of Teaching and Learning in the School of Education Health and Human Behavior. *This option requires that students take a full year of a foreign language. Example: Bachelor of Arts in history with PEL 9-12
• Obtain a Bachelor of Science in a major field through the academic discipline in the College of Arts and Sciences and Professional Educator Licensure (9-12) through the Department of Teaching and Learning in the School of Education Health and Human Behavior. Example: Bachelor of Science in history with PEL 9-12

For both options, students major in one of the seven content areas listed above, and the content area degree is granted by the College of Arts and Sciences. Some disciplines do not offer both degree options identified above. Some majors require a minor. In order to choose the degree option that best suits their needs and career aspirations, students should consult with an advisor in the College of Arts and Sciences who is responsible for monitoring general education requirements, as well as an advisor in the School of Education, Health and Human Behavior who is responsible for monitoring professional education and licensure requirements. Consulting with your faculty mentor in your major content area is also required.

Regardless of the degree option chosen, in order to pursue PEL (9-12), students must apply to the teacher education program through the School of Education, Health and Human Behavior, and successfully complete a series of professional education courses, field placements, student teaching and pass the CPAST assessment (or current state licensure assessment), meeting the score set by the State of Illinois. Students need to be advised both by their major advisor and by a secondary education program advisor from the School of Education, Health and Human Behavior student services as soon as possible.

If students are interested in teaching Art or Music, they should consult the content-specific program pages for details to these specific subjects.  Art and Music program courses are specific to the major content department in CAS.

Student Teaching

Students should not attempt to take, and should not be advised to take, additional courses other than CI 455 and CI 456 in their final semester. Student teaching is, on average, a 60-hour per week responsibility that should not be taken lightly. No student will be permitted to enroll in major field or professional education courses (other than senior project) during their student teaching without written permission of the secondary education program director in the Department of Teaching and Learning. Student teaching is available in the spring semester.

General Education and Degree Requirements

Some programs may take more than eight semesters for completion of licensure requirements depending on the teaching fields selected.

Foundations Courses - referred to in entrance requirements above

• ENG 101
• ENG 102
• ACS 101 or ACS 103
• RA 101
• QR 101

Major in Teaching Field (36-76 hours)

See departmental outlines for specific information for each major. Students are required to complete a teaching methods course within the major.

Minor, Second Teaching Field, or Supporting Courses (up to 32 hours)

Depending on the major, students may be required to complete a minor for broad field licensure. Others may take courses that support their major but do not constitute a complete minor. Please consult the content major advisor for details.

Endorsements

Students have the opportunity to add endorsements (additional teaching fields) to their professional educator license. Please see the School of Education, Health and Human Behavior advisors for specific available options.

Professional Education

A grade of C or better is required in all professional education courses.

• CIED 302, 303, 304, 310, 311, 312, 313, 314, 323, 455, 456
• IT 300
• SPE 400

Additional University Requirement

The University requires students to submit a senior project. This requirement is an integral part of the program. Details are available from the student’s major advisor.

Retention

Students must maintain a 2.5 GPA overall and earn no less than a C in all professional education, major and general education courses required for the intended major and minor. Students who do not meet these requirements will receive one written warning and will be removed from the secondary education program. Students in this program will be monitored for their knowledge, skills, and dispositions towards Culturally Responsive Pedagogy, as well as Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity. Students who do not meet these requirements will receive support through a disposition form, and later, through a disposition alert form, which could lead to removal from the secondary education program.

Statement of Inclusion

The Secondary Education Program is aligned with the Culturally Responsive Teaching and Leading Standards established by the State of Illinois, and it is a program founded in concepts of Anti-Racism and Social Justice. SIUE is an institution that strives for inclusion and equity, and within it, the School of Education Health and Human Behavior, the Department of Teaching and Learning, and the Secondary Ed Program deliver curriculum and instruction that aims to address bias so that we can create a more inclusive environment among our colleagues and our teacher candidates. The Secondary education Program will not tolerate behavior from students enrolled in the program that does not align with these professional and institutional standards.

Students dismissed from secondary teacher licensure for academic deficiencies may appeal.