Explore the programs below for Fall 2026, including program information and contact details. If you have questions or would like to learn more about a specific program, please contact the program representative listed.
Bachelor of Science in Education: Early Childhood Education leads to teacher licensure with an Early Childhood (birth through grade 2) endorsement.
Graduates are employed as teachers in pre-primary and primary classrooms as well as private preschool centers.
The Bachelor of Science in Education: Elementary Education leads to teacher licensure with an Elementary (grades 1-6) endorsement.
Graduates are prepared to teach reading, writing, science, mathematics, social studies, critical thinking skills, and problem solving strategies to elementary school students in self-contained classrooms. The major leads to certification in Illinois with an emphasis to teach students in self-contained first through sixth grade classrooms.
Candidates who complete EIU's Elementary Education program are highly knowledgeable, reflective teachers that use research-based strategies to enable all students to be successful.
Updated March 7, 2026
Eastern Illinois University special education programs are designed to provide students with a strong foundation of knowledge and skills that support future specialization. Through these programs, students develop the professional expertise and leadership abilities needed to design and implement effective educational programs for individuals with exceptionalities.
Graduates are also prepared to collaborate with schools, families and community agencies to help coordinate services and support for individuals with diverse learning needs.
This course sequence qualifies teachers to teach children with disabilities from birth to age 5, and qualifies teachers with an LBS I certificate to teach children with special needs, ages 3 through 5.
Updated July 2, 2021
Eastern Illinois University special education programs are designed to provide students with a strong foundation of knowledge and skills that support future specialization. Through these programs, students develop the professional expertise and leadership abilities needed to design and implement effective educational programs for individuals with exceptionalities.
Graduates are also prepared to collaborate with schools, families and community agencies to help coordinate services and support for individuals with diverse learning needs.
Updated July 2, 2021
The Bachelor of Science in Education in Middle Level Education prepares students for teacher licensure in middle grades education (grades 5-8).
Students earn endorsements in literacy/language arts along with a second teaching area of their choice: middle grades social science, middle grades general science or middle grades mathematics.
Graduates are prepared to support and teach young adolescents as they transition from childhood to adulthood, with a focus on the unique academic, social and developmental needs of middle school students.
Updated March 7, 2026
The Bachelor of Science in Education in Middle Level Education prepares students for teacher licensure in middle grades education (grades 5-8). Students earn endorsements in literacy/language arts along with a second teaching area of their choice: middle grades social science, middle grades general science or middle grades mathematics.
Graduates are prepared to support and teach young adolescents as they transition from childhood to adulthood, with a focus on the unique academic, social and developmental needs of middle school students.
Updated March 7, 2026
The Bachelor of Science in Education in Middle Level Education prepares students for teacher licensure in middle grades education (grades 5-8). Students earn endorsements in literacy/language arts along with a second teaching area of their choice: middle grades social science, middle grades general science or middle grades mathematics.
Graduates are prepared to support and teach young adolescents as they transition from childhood to adulthood, with a focus on the unique academic, social and developmental needs of middle school students.
Updated March 7, 2026
The Bachelor of Science in Education in Middle Level Education prepares students for teacher licensure in middle grades education (grades 5-8). Students earn endorsements in literacy/language arts along with a second teaching area of their choice: middle grades social science, middle grades general science or middle grades mathematics.
Graduates are prepared to support and teach young adolescents as they transition from childhood to adulthood, with a focus on the unique academic, social and developmental needs of middle school students.
Updated March 7, 2026
EIU's English Language Arts teacher licensure program has consistently been recognized as among the best programs for preparing English Language Arts teachers, not just in the state of Illinois but nationally.
In addition to traditional writing and literary and cultural studies courses, the major features three English Language Arts methods courses (the most of any program in the state), as well as courses in young adult literature, multicultural literature, digital writing, and genres studies that prepare candidates to meet the needs and interests of today's secondary students. The National Council of Teachers of English lists EIU’s program as an “exemplar program for training Secondary English Teachers.”
The Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics for Teacher Licensure degree prepares students for a career in secondary education. This program builds on strong components of mathematics and mathematics education, all taught in our department. The program includes field experiences, methods courses, and student teaching. You will learn essential mathematics and effective teaching pedagogy which will enable you to enter one of the highest in demand fields.
This major is intended for students who want to teach all of the social sciences (history, economics, geography, political science, psychology and sociology/anthropology) at the high school level, although it is solid preparation for a host of other careers from museum educator to librarian to curriculum designer.
Students take courses that encompass the diversity of human experience in the past and in other social studies disciplines.
Students enter high school classrooms as early as freshman year, and throughout the program we embed rich clinical and professional development experiences that mean students are well prepared for student teaching and with a network of creative and passionate social studies teachers.
Students engage in unique and rewarding professional development and classroom experiences and have the opportunity to earn awards and scholarships just for history majors.
The Bachelor of Science with Teacher Licensure (Biological Sciences Specialization) degree program prepares students for a career as a secondary science teacher with emphasis in the biological sciences.
The Bachelor of Science with Teacher Licensure (Chemistry Specialization) degree program prepares students for a career as a secondary science teacher with emphasis in chemistry.
In addition, it prepares students to teach high school chemistry at all levels from introductory through Advanced Placement (AP).
Updated March 7, 2026
The Bachelor of Science with Teacher Licensure (Physics Specialization) degree program prepares students for a career as a secondary science teacher with emphasis in physics.
The physics specialization provides a broad based empirical introduction to the quantitative study of the foundations and applications of physics including the areas of mechanics, electromagnetism, thermodynamics and modern physics for the student who will teach AP, honors, or upper division high school physics.
Updated March 7, 2026
Students who graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Career & Technical Education with an emphasis in Business Education are prepared and certified to teach classes in accounting, basic/general business, and information systems.
Examples of courses include business law, economics, consumer education, management, computer applications, web page design, and communications. Business education students receive endorsements in all possible business areas except computer programming.
Students who graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Career & Technical Education with an emphasis in Technology Education are prepared and certified to teach classes in communication technology, production technology, transportation technology, and energy utilization technology.
More familiar course titles might include electronics, computer technology, printing, desktop publishing, drafting, building construction, and manufacturing.
With a long history of both teacher education and a vibrant music program, EIU has earned recognition for preparing outstanding music teachers. Students gain immediate experience through observing and teaching in music classrooms during each semester of enrollment and all concentrations lead to the same licensure, with broad-based preparation in all areas of music education.
However, each of the concentrations has unique professional development experiences, designed to help the prospective teacher achieve his/her professional and musical goals.
EIU offers three concentrations for music education students to choose from: Instrumental Music, Vocal/Choral Music, and General Music. You can choose the concentration that best meets your interests and teaching goals.
Updated March 7, 2026
At EIU Art Education, we are proudly committed to equipping tomorrow’s teachers with contemporary knowledge, transformational experiences, and a community of peers and faculty that share a love of art and teaching.
In our program, you will be challenged to reach your highest potential, and to develop your own voice and practice as an artist and educator. Art Education’s homes in the Doudna Fine Arts Center and Tarble Museum of Art provide state of the art facilities for world-class faculty and students.
Updated March 7, 2026
Our teacher education program is nationally recognized and accredited by ACTFL/CAEP, the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation and the American Council for the Teaching of Foreign Languages.
Students will take language and culture courses in our program while also taking education courses in the College of Education. Experienced faculty will guide and advise you when preparing for the ACTFL Oral Proficiency Interview and Illinois Content Area Test for licensure. Our teaching methods follow the standards of the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages to give you both linguistic and cultural proficiency.
Updated March 7, 2026
Our teacher education program is nationally recognized and accredited by ACTFL/CAEP, the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation and the American Council for the Teaching of Foreign Languages.
Students will take language and culture courses in our program while also taking education courses in the College of Education. Experienced faculty will guide and advise you when preparing for the ACTFL Oral Proficiency Interview and Illinois Content Area Test for licensure. Our teaching methods follow the standards of the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages to give you both linguistic and cultural proficiency.
Our teacher education program is nationally recognized and accredited by ACTFL/CAEP, the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation and the American Council for the Teaching of Foreign Languages.
Students will take language and culture courses in our program while also taking education courses in the College of Education. Experienced faculty will guide and advise you when preparing for the ACTFL Oral Proficiency Interview and Illinois Content Area Test for licensure. Our teaching methods follow the standards of the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages to give you both linguistic and cultural proficiency.
Updated March 7, 2026
The mission of the Physical Education Teacher Education Program is to graduate entry-level professional physical educators who possess a personal and professional commitment to physical education, and will demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and dispositions to promote learning in the area of physical education. The program is nationally accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (and one of the top programs for physical education majors in the state of Illinois.
Updated March 7, 2026
This teacher licensure minor provides an overview of the computer science content and pedagogy needed to be successfully endorsed to teach computer science, provided you have a teacher licensure major in another field.
Note: Completion of a teacher licensure minor does not guarantee that the individual will be granted an endorsement to teach in that field. Individuals must meet all requirements (including state tests) as set forth by the Illinois State Board of Education to be granted an endorsement in a second teaching field.
The teacher licensure minor provides an overview of the history content and pedagogy needed to be successfully endorsed to teach history, provided you have a teacher licensure major in another field.
Note: Completion of a teacher licensure minor does not guarantee that the individual will be granted an endorsement to teach in that field. Individuals must meet all requirements (including state tests) as set forth by the Illinois State Board of Education to be granted an endorsement in a second teaching field.
This teacher licensure minor provides an overview of the physical education content and pedagogy needed to be successfully endorsed to teach physical education, provided you have a teacher licensure major in another field.
Note: Completion of a teacher licensure minor does not guarantee that the individual will be granted an endorsement to teach in that field. Individuals must meet all requirements (including state tests) as set forth by the Illinois State Board of Education to be granted an endorsement in a second teaching field.
This teacher licensure minor provides an overview of the mathematics content and pedagogy needed to be successfully endorsed to teach mathematics, provided you have a teacher licensure major in another field.
Note: Completion of a teacher licensure minor does not guarantee that the individual will be granted an endorsement to teach in that field. Individuals must meet all requirements (including state tests) as set forth by the Illinois State Board of Education to be granted an endorsement in a second teaching field.
The teacher licensure minor provides an overview of the public health content and pedagogy needed to be successfully endorsed to teach public health, provided you have a teacher licensure major in another field.
Note: Completion of a teacher licensure minor does not guarantee that the individual will be granted an endorsement to teach in that field. Individuals must meet all requirements (including state tests) as set forth by the Illinois State Board of Education to be granted an endorsement in a second teaching field.
This teacher licensure minor provides an overview of languages content and pedagogy needed to be successfully endorsed to teach languages, provided you have a teacher licensure major in another field.
Note: Completion of a teacher licensure minor does not guarantee that the individual will be granted an endorsement to teach in that field. Individuals must meet all requirements (including state tests) as set forth by the Illinois State Board of Education to be granted an endorsement in a second teaching field.
The Master of Science in Education in Educational Leadership, Teacher Leader Option is designed to meet the needs of those educators interested in entry leadership positions in PK-12 schools: grade level leader, team leader, department chair, curriculum director/coordinator, athletic director, dean of students, etc.
Updated March 7, 2026
The Master of Science in Education in Educational Leadership, Principal Option is designed to meet the needs of those educators interested in leadership positions as assistant principals or principals in PK-12 schools. This program will earn the Principal Endorsement on the Illinois Educator’s License.
Updated March 7, 2026
Updated March 7, 2026
The mission of the graduate program in Special Education is to prepare graduates for advanced professional practice with individuals with exceptional learning needs.
Note: For admission to the Master's in Special Education program, candidates must have earned an LBS I, licensure to teach special education in another state, or hold an endorsement in special education. This program does NOT result in initial licensure.
The mission of the graduate program in Special Education is to prepare graduates for advanced professional practice with individuals with exceptional learning needs.
Note: For admission to the Master's in Special Education program, candidates must have earned an LBS I, licensure to teach special education in another state, or hold an endorsement in special education. This program does NOT result in initial licensure.
The mission of the graduate program in Special Education is to prepare graduates for advanced professional practice with individuals with exceptional learning needs.
Note: For admission to the Master's in Special Education program, candidates must have earned an LBS I, licensure to teach special education in another state, or hold an endorsement in special education. This program does NOT result in initial licensure.
Updated March 7, 2026
This program meets the requirements for the Certificate of Clinical Competence awarded by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, the Speech-Language Pathologist License awarded by the Illinois Division of Financial and Professional Regulation, and the K-12 Educator License (with Illinois State Board of Education endorsement).
Candidates meeting these requirements are eligible to practice speech-language pathology in both educational and medical settings.
Updated March 7, 2026
The Master of Science in School Psychology is required as the first step toward completion of the Specialist in School Psychology which is the requirement for the preparation of competent professional school psychologists who serve children, teachers, and parents in an age of societal, educational, and professional change.
Candidates who successfully complete the MS in School Psychology at Eastern Illinois University have the option to continue on and complete the Specialist Program or may consider the alternative of pursuing a doctoral degree.
Updated March 7, 2026
The Specialist in School Psychology is the requirement for the preparation of competent professional school psychologists who serve children, teachers, and parents in an age of societal, educational, and professional change.
The program is fully approved by the Illinois State Board of Education and fully recognized by the National Council Accreditation of Teacher Education. Students are guaranteed state certification upon successful completion of the specialist’s degree and the state certification exam.
In addition, the program has been approved by the National Association of School Psychologists, which guarantees candidates a national certification upon passing the examination for the Nationally Certified School Psychologists (NCSP).
Updated March 7, 2026
Students may choose graduate-level reading courses that lead to the Illinois Reading Teacher Endorsement, including a required practicum experience. Coursework covers topics such as the foundations of reading, content-area reading, reading assessment and diagnosis, developmental reading methods and remedial reading instruction.
The Reading Teacher Endorsement applies only to the same grade range as the candidate’s underlying Professional Educator License.
Please note that Eastern Illinois University does not offer coursework leading to the Reading Specialist Endorsement. While the Reading Specialist content test may be used to meet testing requirements for the Reading Teacher Endorsement, completing the coursework at EIU and passing the Reading Specialist content test does not qualify a candidate for the Reading Specialist Endorsement.
Updated March 7, 2026
Students may choose courses in this area that lead to the Illinois English as a Second Language (ESL) Teacher Endorsement, including a required graduate-level practicum experience. Coursework includes linguistics, the theoretical foundations of teaching ESL, assessment of bilingual students, ESL teaching methods and materials, and cross-cultural studies focused on supporting students with limited English proficiency.
Please note that the ESL endorsement applies only to the same grade range as the candidate’s underlying Professional Educator License.
Updated March 7, 2026
Prepares students for licensure in grades 1-6. This fully online program includes a year-long Residency experience and is designed for students who already hold a bachelor’s degree.
To be considered for admission, applicants must have completed at least 32 semester hours of coursework across the elementary core content areas: English, mathematics, science and social science.
Updated March 7, 2026
Prepares students for licensure in English, mathematics, science, history-social science, career and technical education (business, family & consumer science, technology), or world language education (French, German, Spanish) in grades 9-12.
This fully online program runs from June through May and includes a year-long Residency experience.
Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree in the specific content area in which they are seeking licensure.
Updated March 7, 2026
This program provides an accessible and efficient pathway to teacher licensure for candidates who already hold a qualifying undergraduate or graduate degree. Designed with flexibility in mind, the fully online format is ideal for place-bound and non-traditional students who may not be able to attend a traditional on-campus program.
This one-year program runs from June through May and leads to full licensure as a special education teacher. Students complete a year-long Residency experience and may choose unpaid, paid, or third-party-funded placements within their local communities. Applicants may hold a bachelor’s degree in any field to be considered for admission.
Accreditation is consistent with existing initial teacher licensure programs i.e., either through the Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation or an individual program’s Specialized Professional Association. Additionally, the program is approved by the Illinois State Board of Education for initial licensure.
Updated March 7, 2026
Feel free to reach out to program contacts below for information.
College of Education, Health & Human Services |
College of Liberal Arts & Sciences |
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School of Education
School of Human Development
Department of Kinesiology, Sport & Recreation
Department of Communication Disorders & Sciences Speech Language Pathology: Lynne Cameron |
School of English & World Languages
School of Engineering, Math, Computer Science & Physics
Department of Biological Sciences
Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry
Department of Geology / Geography
Department of History
School of Art + Design
School of Music
Department of Psychology
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