Teacher Certification Program for
Post-Baccalaureate Students

A Program for Returning Students Seeking Teacher Certification

Teacher Certification Program for Post-Baccalaureate Students: (Hereafter known as TCP)

This is an overview of NEIU's teacher certification programs.  It contains both professional and general education requirements established by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE).  Most applicants already will have completed many required general education courses in their undergraduate studies.  During the application process all transcripts will be reviewed to assess which requirements have been met.
 
 
Early Childhood Education  
Type 04 Certificate  Birth-Grade 3 
Elementary Education  
Type 03 Certificate  Grades K-9 
Secondary Education  
Type 09 Certificate Grades 6-12 
Music, Spanish and French  
Type 10 Certification  Grades K-12

SCHEDULE OF COURSES:

Course work consists of blocks of undergraduate courses and does not lead to a master's degree.  Program courses are offered during daytime or evening hours and occasionally on Saturday mornings.  Clinical experiences require blocks of time during the day.  Student teaching requires one full semester (five days a week, all day).

STATE TEACHER EXAMINATIONS:

Program students must also pass the ISBE's Basic Skills Test, subject area test, and the Assessment of Professional Teaching Test.  Information on these tests is available from the Program Advisors.

T.C.P. ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS:
Bachelor's degree from a recognized teacher education institution.
Minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.5 (4.0 scale).  Students with an advanced degree are excused from this requirement.
General test of the Graduate Record Exam if cumulative GPA is below a 3.0 (4.0 scale) (See T.C.P. application  for exemptions). Applicants with a  master's degree from an accredited institution are exempt.
Pass the Illinois Basic Skills Exam and send us a copy of the scores

 
T.C.P. ADMISSION PROCESS:
Submit completed T.C.P. and university applications along with transcripts, GRE scores, and a copy of your Illinois Basic Skills Test scores.
Your credentials will be evaluated for general education course work, courses in programs that are equivalent to Northeastern's under graduate programs, and any other transferable course work, after you have been accepted to the program.
Upon program admission you will be notified and assigned an advisor.

    COLLEGE OF EDUCATION AND TEACHER EDUCATION PROGRAM ADMISSIONS:

All certification candidates must meet the requirements for admission to the College of Education.  In addition, individual teacher education programs may have their own admission requirements.

COLLEGE OF EDUCATION ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR TCP CANDIDATES:

After you have been admitted to the TCP Program, your next step is to be admitted to the College of Education (COE). 
Admission to the College of Education is required before you enroll in more than six credits of Educational Foundations 
(EDFN) coursework in your professional sequence.
Below are listed the COE Admission requirements for TCP candidates and the documents you must submit for admission:
Requirement
Documentation Needed
1. TCP Admission:
Basic Skills Passing Score and 2.5 cumulative GPA/4.0		 Submit copy of your TCP acceptance letter to the COE Office, CLS 4044
2.  COE Application Form Obtain copy from COE website www.neiu.edu/~edudept/
Complete and submit to CLS 4044
3.  TCP evaluation of General Education Credits. "C" or better in each of the following: ENGL 101 and college level math meeting NEIU mathematics competency (see program advisor). Submit copy of your TCP Evaluation of General Education credits to the COE Office, CLS 4044
4.  Background Check from Argus Services, Inc. Obtain form from COE website www.neiu.edu/~edudept/ Submit application and fee to Argus Service, Inc.  After receiving response from Argus, submit sealed copy of background check to COE Office lock box (outside CLS 4044)
5.  One letter of recommendation from any university professor. Obtain form from COE website www.neiu.edu/~edudept/ follow directions on recommendation form.
6.  Maximum of six credits in EDFN courses as specified by program (ECED, ELED, SCED) The COE will access your academic records at NEIU.
7.  "C" or better in all professional sequence and major courses at NEIU The COE will access your academic records at NEIU
Please submit items 1, 2 and 3 together at the same time.  It is your responsibility to check to see that your application file is complete.  You will be notified in writing when you have been accepted into the College of Education.


T.C.P. OFFICES
General T.C.P. Information Line 773-442-3087 ********
Dr. Frank Perino, Facilitator 773-442-5376  CLS-3042 
Raymond Zelazny, Program Advisor  773-442-5374  CLS-3089
Barbara Biernat, Secretary  773-442-5389  CLS-3034
Michael Bochnewych  773-442-5387  CLS-3089 

EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION &
ELEMENTARY EDUCATION:

Program Requirements - Elementary

Program Sequence            39 credit hours
Area of Concentration       18 credit hours

Program Requirements - Early Childhood

Program Sequence            43 credit hours
Area of Concentration       18 credit hours


Approved areas of concentration - Elementary & Early Childhood:
Anthropology Economics Music
Art (studio) English Philosophy
Asian Studies Foreign Language  Physics
Biology Geography  (excluding Envir. Studies) Political Science
Chemistry History Psychology
Dance  (ECED only) Linguistics (ELED, ECED) Sociology
Earth Science Mathematics Theater

Please click here for additional information on Early Childhood TCP program.
 

Please click here for additional information on Elementary Education

ISBE GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS - ELEMENTARY & EARLY CHILDHOOD:

A total of 53 credit hours of general education course work is required.  This includes six hours of written communication, three hours of oral communication, six hours of mathematics, 12 hours of biological and physical sciences (including one lab), courses in English, U.S. History, American government, a non-Western/Third World course, and course work in health and physical development.  The programs also require a course in art and in music.

SECONDARY EDUCATION
Program Requirements:
Professional Sequence:    28 credit hours

Major area:  Must meet Northeastern Illinois University's major 
requirements in one of the following academic areas:
Art
Mathematics
Biology
Physical Education
English
Music   K-12
History
Spanish K-12
Health Education
French  K-12

Please Click Here for Additional Information on Secondary Education TCP Program

ISBE General Education Requirements:

A total of 50 credit hours of general education course work is required. This includes six hours of written communication, three hours of oral communication, three hours of mathematics, 9 hours of biological and physical sciences (including one lab), courses in English, U.S. History, American government, a non-Western/Third World course, and course work in health and physical development.
FOR INFORMATION ON THE COURSE WORK IN YOUR MAJOR AREA, CONTACT:
Art Mark McKernin (773) 442-4943
Biology Dr. Joel P. Olfelt (773) 442-5718
English Dr. Tim Scherman (773) 442-5817
French K-12 Dr. McGoey (773) 442-4754
Health Education Dr. Michael Fagen (773) 442-5562
History Dr. June Sochen (773) 442-5606
Mathematics Zhonggang Zeng (773) 442-5763
Music Rose Sperrazza (773) 442-5900
Physical Education Betty Fields (773) 442-5567
Spanish Dr. Denise Cloonan (773) 442-4741

ADMISSION APPLICATION:
Two separate applications are required:

    NEIU Application (to become a student-at-large with degree)

    T.C.P. Application

Please click here for TCP Application


Applications may be picked up in the Classroom Building outside Room 3089 or 3042.

GRADUATE RECORD EXAMINATION INFORMATION:
You may request GRE test preparation materials by calling (800) 537-3160, or by visiting GRE online at:  http://www.gre.org.

You may register to take the GRE online by calling (800) GRE-CALL.

BASIC SKILLS EXAMINATION INFORMATION:
You can download the registration bulletin and study guides at
http://www.icts.nesinc.com

ASSESSMENT OF PROFESSIONAL TEACHING INFORMATION:
A final and 3rd exam must be taken before the completion of the TCP program.
To learn more about the APT Please click on the following link:
http://icarus.cc.uic.edu/stud_orgs/prof/ftc/apt.html

BILINGUAL/BICULTURAL ENTITLEMENT:

Elementary education students have the option of taking course work leading to an entitlement in Bilingual/Bicultural Education.  For information, contact Dr. Joaquin Villegas, BLBC Coordinator, Classroom  Building - CLS 3024.
Phone:  (773) 442-5381

MIDDLE SCHOOL ENDORSEMENT:

Contact your program area advisor regarding Middle School Endorsement.
 
 

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Created by Angela Bellamy-Wade
Last Updated February 2006