The School of Education offers Post Baccalaureate licensure programs at the Elementary, Middle, and Secondary levels.
Getting Started
You can follow the additional steps on our Getting Started in the Teacher Education Program page to be formally admitted.
Illinois State Board of Education Licensure
- Elementary Grades 1-6
- Middle Grades Education 5-8: English Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Science
- Secondary Grades 9-12: English, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, History, Political Science, or Sociology/Anthropology
All twelve programs are approved by the Illinois State Board of Education.
Paths to Licensure
Minor in Secondary Education
The Department of Teacher Education at UIS offers a minor in education that leads to licensure at the secondary level when combined with an appropriate academic major, fulfillment of general education requirements, and fulfillment of campus requirements. Candidates seeking a bachelor’s degree and a minor secondary licensure should expect that their total program of study can usually be completed within the four year time frame but may exceed the minimum number of hours required for graduation. Secondary education candidates may major in one of several programs leading to licensure in the areas of English, mathematics, science, or social science. The Initial Program Adviser can recommend appropriate majors. (See Curriculum for the Secondary Minor in Teacher Education for further information.)
Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Licensure
The program is also open to those who already hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university in the United States and wish to enter the field of teaching. To obtain elementary or secondary licensure, candidates must meet all TEP Entrance Requirements and fulfill the same sequence of courses that candidates seeking the major in elementary or minor in secondary education are required to complete. Candidates seeking licensure in secondary education may also have their transcripts reviewed by faculty in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences to determine if and what additional course work must be completed before a recommendation for licensure can be made. Assuming that all prerequisites are met, candidates can expect to spend a minimum of four semesters completing licensure requirements.
Post-Baccalaureate Course Requirements
Teacher Education Online
The Department of Teacher Education has an online component for those who wish to become licensed teachers or add endorsements to their licenses but prefer the flexibility of online learning. The Department has online course work leading to licensure or endorsement in Secondary School Mathematics, English, Science (Biology and Chemistry), and Social Science (History, Political Science, Sociology, and Anthropology). Illinois licensed teachers seeking an endorsement should obtain a deficiency letter prior to beginning course work. The course work and other requirements of these programs are primarily the same as the on campus programs, but courses are taught almost completely online. Each course requires two to three visits to campus per semester.
Subsequent Teaching Licensure
Teachers who have received their licensure through programs in the Department of Teacher Education at UIS may earn additional / subsequent licenses in Elementary Education or Secondary English, mathematics, science (biology or chemistry), or social studies (history, political science, or sociology / anthropology). Teachers interested in subsequent licenses should email the School of Education: education@uis.edu.