School of Education

The School of Education offers undergraduate programs in professional education, psychology, and speech pathology and audiology. Professional education programs prepare students for teaching positions in early childhood, elementary, health education, secondary, special, and physical education. The Department of Psychology offers both a comprehensive major and a program for students who wish to pursue graduate study in Psychology. Speech Pathology and Audiology majors pursue a program of study for the purpose of helping individuals with communication disorders. Through any of the undergraduate programs, students may also become qualified to enter graduate studies in the School of Education.

Admission and Advisement
Procedures for admission to different programs in the School of Education vary; therefore, students should consult the appropriate department chair for specific information. Teacher education students must be officially admitted to a program in the designated department to secure a student teaching assignment, be graduated in teacher education, and qualify for a teaching certificate. For admission to any program in teacher education, a student must present a grade point average of at least 2.5, must receive a grade of C or better in both English 101 and 102, and pass a test of basic skills.

Undergraduate advisers work with students interested in pursuing any of the programs offered by the School of Education. Students should consult with advisers to obtain information about employment opportunities, courses in their field, certification requirements, and aptitudes associated with successful professional practice. Students may arrange to see advisers by requesting appointments in the office of the appropriate department in the School of Education. Undergraduate advisers for certification in Early Childhood, Elementary, Secondary, and Special Education are located in the Office of Clinical Experiences, Certification and Advisement.

Degrees and Certificates
The School of Education grants the Bachelor of Science degree with majors in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Health Education, Physical Education, and Special Education. The Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees with majors in Psychology and Speech Pathology and Audiology are also offered. Upon successful completion of a teacher education program, students qualify for the teaching certificate in the State of Illinois and may also qualify for teaching certificates in other states. Students taking degrees in other majors may qualify for a secondary teaching certificate by completing an approved program in teacher education. Speech pathology majors who wish to pursue work in public schools must first obtain a masters degree. Those interested in this option should consult with the appropriate adviser.

Accreditation
The following undergraduate teacher education programs have received approval from the Illinois State Board of Education and are accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education. Students should check with their advisers regarding the differences between Special K-12 certificates and other certificate programs.

Pre-Student Teaching Clinical Experiences
The Illinois State Board of Education requires a minimum of 100 clock hours of pre-student-teaching clinical experiences in the area for which a student seeks certification. This experience, which must be completed prior to student teaching, is arranged through the Office of Clinical Experiences, Certification, and Advisement, Founders Hall, room 1122.

Student Teaching
Student teaching is the culminating experience in professional teacher education programs. It is required in order to meet the degree requirements of the School of Education, the certification requirements of the states of Illinois and Missouri, and the standards of the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education.

Student teaching requires full-day involvement in a public school. Accordingly, students should avoid taking other courses or employment during student teaching and should schedule it at a time when they will be free of other demands upon their time and energy. Requests for course overload during student teaching must be approved by the department chair and the Associate Dean for Instruction of the School of Education. Student teaching is not available during the summer term.

Application Process for Student Teaching
The student teaching application procedure begins during the year prior to the assignment. Each department which has a program leading to teacher certification has established policies regarding the application for student teaching. Students should secure student teaching information from an adviser in the appropriate department of the School of Education. Junior and senior transfer students should contact an adviser for application information during or before orientation. Student teaching application packets may be obtained from the Office of Clinical Experiences, Certification and Advisement (OCECA), Founders Hall, room 1122. Students should check with that office for application deadline dates. The School of Education maintains the responsibility for student teaching assignments. Placements will be made by the School of Education in districts which have contracts on file with OCECA.

Prerequisites
Following are the prerequisites for registering for and receiving an assignment for student teaching:

1. All prospective teachers, regardless of teaching field or academic major, must be admitted to and follow an approved teacher education program. Students must, therefore, consult with a School of Education adviser to make certain they are meeting requirements of an approved program well in advance of student teaching.
2. Student teaching assignments are made after admission to the School of Education and the completion of at least 96 hours. Students must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5 in advance of the student teaching assignment. Transfer students must be in residence for one semester prior to beginning student teaching.
3. Students must have a 3.0 grade point average or higher in professional education coursework. No grade lower than a C is acceptable in professional education courses.
4. Students must complete all required major and professional education courses, as well as all pre-student-teaching clinical experiences.
5. In compliance with University policy, record of a physical examination taken no more than 90 days prior to the student teaching assignment must be on file in University Health Service. A report of a tuberculosis skin test or X-ray taken within the same period is also required.
6. In addition to the physical examination record, the student teaching application packet includes a student profile sheet, record of eligibility, and Illinois certification application. All forms must be completed with assistance from other University personnel and submitted by the posted due date.