Frequently Asked Questions
- How long has the program been offered?
- What are the prerequisites for admission to the program?
- What areas of certification are available through the program?
- Do I have to pass the Illinois Basic Skills and Content Area Tests to be admitted into the program?
- Do the five years of work experience all have to come after I completed my baccalaureate degree?
- How do I get a commitment from a school district to complete the internship?
- How much does the program cost, and is financial aid available?
- What classes will I take, and when will they meet?
- Do the summer classes have to be taken on campus at EIU?
- Is campus housing available/required for the eight-week summer session?
- How do I get an application?
- When are applications due?
- What if my transcripts come from institutions outside the U.S.?
- How do I get more information about the program?
- If your question is not answered there, contact the program coordinator.
How long has the program been offered?
We secured approval from the Illinois State Teacher Certification Board on Feb. 7, 2003, and enrolled the first cohort in May 2003.
What are the prerequisites for admission to the program?
Candidates applying for program admission must have completed the following:
- Earned a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a grade point average of 2.65 or higher on a 4.0 scale. The bachelor's degree must be in a major (or its equivalent) in the intended area of certification.
- Secured employment in an area requiring application of the individual’s education. This employment shall have covered a period of at least five years.
- Passed the Illinois Basic Skills test and applicable subject matter test required by the state for certification in the candidate’s intended teaching endorsement area. Information and online registration are available at www.icts.nesinc.com.
- Secured a commitment from a school district to be hired (and paid as a full-time teacher) for the internship. Click here for links to job fairs and online postings of teaching positions.
What areas of certification are available through the program?
Candidates may become certified in one of the following six areas (foreign languages is a K-12 certificate; all others are at the high school level):
- Math
- Science
- Foreign Languages
- Family and Consumer Sciences Education
- Business Education
- Technology Education (Industrial Technology)
NOTE: If you are looking for alternative certification in other content areas or at the elementary or middle grades level, you may find a list of all approved Illinois certification programs on the Illinois State Board of Education website. Look for alternative certification under the institutions you are interested in to see what they offer.
Do I have to pass the Illinois Basic Skills and Content Area Tests to be admitted into the program?
Yes, you will need to pass two tests: the Basic Skills Test and the Subject Matter Test for the area in which you intend to become certified. Please note that you must provide evidence of passing both tests by the application deadline. When you register, please make sure you designate EIU as the institution to which you would like scores reported. You may register online and download study guides containing sample questions here.
Click here for help in preparing for the Illinois Basic Skills Test.
Do the five years of work experience all have to come after I completed my baccalaureate degree?
No. However, the experience does need to be in your intended certification area. The intent is to certify individuals who can bring real-world experience into the classroom. Candidates will need to be able to document five years of relevant work experience, but some of that experience could come before the candidate earned the baccalaureate degree.
How do I get a commitment from a school district to complete the internship?
Candidates are encouraged to check vacancy bulletins to see which school districts might be looking for teachers in the appropriate teaching area. Keep in mind that the school district is hiring a full-time teacher and paying a salary accordingly. Therefore, a process similar to that pursued for being hired for a job is likely to follow.
While we do not take a formal role in internship placements, we do take some steps to help. A mailing is sent to all Illinois superintendents and high school principals telling them about the program and letting them know they may be contacted about internships. Also, if a district indicates it has a need for help in a specific area but lacks any candidates, we will put prospective candidates and districts in touch with each other.
How much does the program cost, and is financial aid available?
Using tuition and fees in effect for the 2009-2010 academic year, cost of the program is estimated at the following amounts (contact the program coordinator for current tuition and fee rates):
Rates
Tuition: $292.95 per hour
Continuing Education Fee: $44.00 per hour
Textbook Rental Fee: $9.95 per hour
Total: $292.95 per hour
Summer Tuition and Fees: Candidates enroll for 16 or 17 semester hours for a total ranging from approximately $4,400 to $4,700.
Fall/Spring Tuition and Fees: Candidates enroll for six semester hours of internship each term for a total of slightly less than $1,700.00.
Summer After the Internship: Candidates enroll for one semester hour for a total of aproximately $293.
Tuition and fees for the entire program total about $8,200 to $8,500.
Financial aid in the form of student loans might be available, depending upon a given candidate's situations. Inquiries should be directed to the EIU Office of Student Financial Aid. Candidates admitted to the program must also purchase a license to use LiveText software; once admitted to the program, candidates will receive more information about cost and procedures for securing this license.
What classes will I take, and when will they meet?
Click here for a course schedule and descriptions in PDF format. Adobe Acrobat Reader is required.
Do the summer classes have to be taken on campus at EIU?
Although the program begins with a web-based course that never meets face to face, the eight-week summer classes meet on EIU's campus from mid-June to early August. Dates for the 2011-2012 program are June 13 - August 5, 2011. Candidates should generally plan to be in class throughout the eight-week session from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Is campus housing available/required for the eight-week summer session?
We have arranged university housing, which is an option available to anyone in the program but is not required. Keep in mind that classes run weekdays from early morning until evening for eight weeks. Approximate cost for housing, which consists of a furnished two-bedroom apartment, is $1,000. Double-occupancy housing may be available if you would like to share the costs with another candidate.
If you would like to apply for campus housing, you will find a box to check on the application form. Note that housing for the Summer 2010 session may be impacted by maintenance. Candidates interested in securing university apartments for summer 2010 should contact Nancy Stone-Johnson at 217-581-8000 or nlstonejohnson@eiu.edu.
How do I get an application?
Applications are available on our program website. Click here for a PDF copy.
When are applications due?
The deadline for submitting applications for the 2011-2012 program is April 30, 2011. Please note candidates must provide evidence of passing both the Illinois Basic Skills Test and applicable content area test required by the state for certification in the intended teaching endorsement area by the application deadline. Candidates who have have met all other requirements have until May 31, 2011, to secure an intership position. Contact the program coordinator for more details.
What if my transcripts come from institutions outside the U.S.?
Individuals possessing higher education credit from outside the United States must have their transcripts evaluated to determine course/credit equivalencies. The Illinois State Board of Education maintains a list of agencies that are identified Approved Sources for Foreign Credential Evaluations. Click here for details.
How do I get more information about the program?
First, check around our program website . . .
If your question is not answered there, please contact us.
Department of Student Teaching and Clinical Experiences
2418 Buzzard Hall
Eastern Illinois University
600 Lincoln Avenue
Charleston, IL 61920-3099
V: 217/581-2620; F: 217/581-7915
E-mail: steaching@eiu.edu
http://www.eiu.edu/eiuttp/
