Individuals who have already earned a bachelor's degree may obtain teacher licensure by completing a post-baccalaureate teacher education program at EIU. Completing a post-baccalaureate program does not lead to either an undergraduate or a graduate degree.
Programs are offered in early childhood education (Birth-Grade 2); elementary education (Grades 1-6); middle level education (Grades 5-8); career and technical education (Grades 5-12); secondary education (Grades 9-12); special education (Kindergarten through age 21); and foreign language, physical education, music, and art (Grades PK-12).
A list of programs currently offered at EIU may be found at www.eiu.edu/edprep/programs.php
The program at EIU is delivered primarily face to face, on campus at EIU during daytime, weekday hours; EIU does not offer online teacher education programs.
Individuals may begin a program during any semester (fall, spring, or summer). The final semester, which consists of full-time student teaching, must be completed during the fall or spring semester. The exact number of semesters needed to complete the program can only be estimated once a prospective candidate has completed the transcript evaluation process describe below. However, candidates should expect at least four semesters will be needed, and possibly more.
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 student’s undergraduate GPA will be used for the purpose of selection.
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 prior to formal admission to the program. (Higher GPAs may be required by some departments.)
Here are the steps involved in getting started on a program:
1. Send a written request to the address below, stating which program you would like to complete, and including your name, address. Social Security Number, phone number, and email address. Also note the name of each institution that will be sending transcripts on your behalf.
2. Include a check, payable to EIU, for $10.00 (EIU graduates) or $35.00 (non-EIU graduates) to cover the cost of transcript evaluation.
3. Have official transcripts from each institution you have attended sent directly to address below. You do not need to request EIU transcripts; we will access them internally on your behalf. Note that these transcripts are in addition to any you may send to EIU for admission to the university itself.
4. The evaluation process can take four to six weeks; when the process is completed, a copy of the evaluation will be mailed to you.
5. To enroll in a program, you will need to apply to EIU through the Graduate School (www.eiu.edu/graduate); you will apply for "Teacher certification only (no degree)" status.
Information on each teacher education program may be found in the EIU Undergraduate Catalog, which may be found online at https://catalog.eiu.edu/index.php; the EIU Educator Preparation website also has information and a number of helpful resources.
Financial aid information, as well as information about tuition and fees, may be found at: www.eiu.edu/finaid/.
If you have specific questions you would like answered, please contact College of Education Associate Dean Dr. Christy Hooser (cmhooser@eiu.edu)
Please address all correspondence regarding post-baccalaureate teacher education programs to:
Dr. Christy Hooser (cmhooser@eiu.edu)
College of Education
Eastern Illinois University
600 Lincoln Avenue, Charleston, IL 61920
(217) 581-2524 / FAX: (217) 581-2518