Approval to student teach is a multiple-step process, including earning "Departmental
Approval to Student Teach." The College of Education will send the applying student's
name to the major department for Department 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.
In addition, students must document passage of Illinois Certification 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 application. Failure to complete
the application materials by the deadline may result in a one-year delay in student
teaching.
University Application to Student Teach
Every student planning to student teach must formally apply. You will apply a year
before you student teach. Look for an email from the Dean's Office concerning that
application process.
Department Application/Approval to Student Teach
In addition to completing a packet to meet requirements for the Student Teaching Department,
each student must also meet requirements established by their major department.
You and your advisor will complete this process during the semester before student
teaching.
Attention:ALL professional education coursework must be completed with a "C" or better prior
to student teaching. Plan ahead. If you have any questions, please consult with your
academic advisor come to the Teaching, Learning, & Foundations department office for
additional information.
Minimum Grade Requirement in Courses for Teacher Certification Programs
All students graduating with a teacher certification major must receive a grade of
"C" or better in all courses, regardless of 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 certificate must be completed with a grade of
"C" or better.
Illinois Certification Tests - Content-Area
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. Contact the Certifying Dean
in the College of Education for deadlines.
Application for Teaching Certificates
Students should begin the process of applying for their teaching certificates early
in the term in which they will graduate or complete all requirements. Forms and instructions
will be distributed by the Student Teaching Coordinators.
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." Registration and fees are required as with 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.
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.
