Liberal Arts and Sciences: Teacher Education Curricula

NOTE: This document was generated from the 1995-1997 UIUC Programs of Study. Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, but be advised that requirements may have changed since this book was published. Errors may have also been introduced in the conversion to a WWW document. Thus for items of importance, it might be wise to seek confirmation from either the paper version or a live human being.

This section contains a description of the requirements for programs leading to the bachelor's degree in teacher education. More detailed information pertaining to specific course requirements for each area of specialization is provided by faculty advisers. It is essential that the student fulfill the specific course requirements of his or her program in order to be eligible for the bachelor's degree in teacher education. Only through regular communication with the teacher education adviser may the student be assured of the appropriateness of his or her semester program. Students are advised that certification requirements may be altered at any time by the State Teacher Certification Board or by the legislature. In such cases, students may be compelled to satisfy the new requirements to qualify for the University's recommendation for certification. Also see the Council on Teacher Education for information pertinent to all teacher education curricula.

General education requirements of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences must be fulfilled by students pursuing teacher education curricula in that college. If the requirements of the teaching major satisfy the general education requirements in an area, they will be noted in the curriculum statement. For more information, consult the certification officer (110 Education Building).

Requirements

GENERAL EDUCATION

The state of Illinois has mandated completion of certain general education requirements for all students applying for certification on or after July 1,1992. These state requirements are included in the degree requirements for the LAS teacher education programs as the programs were revised effective August 1991. Students should contact their advisers to be sure of degree and certification requirements in their particular areas.

Students in LAS undergraduate programs leading to secondary and special certification will be expected to complete the following distribution. Courses used to meet the requirement must be from the Council on Teacher Education-approved course list.

Distribution

Communication. RHET 105 or RHET 108, SPCOM 101 or a speech performance elective, and one writing intensive course (UIUC) (1 hour credit shown as writing on the transcript). Alternatively, students may complete RHET 105 or RHET 108, SPCOM 101 or a speech performance elective, and an additional rhetoric or writing course (equal to or greater than 2 hours), such as RHET 133 or RHET 143; or SPCOM 111-112 and an additional rhetoric or writing course (equal to or greater than 3 hours), such as RHET 133 or RHET 143.
Foreign Language. Students are expected to obtain knowledge of a foreign language equivalent to the completion of the fourth semester of college study in a language. The requirements can be satisfied in the same manner as the language requirement for the sciences and letters curriculum. See the LAS Foreign Language Requirement.
Literature. One course.
American History. One course.
American Government. One course.
One additional course chosen from literature and the arts, historical and philosophical perspectives, or social perspectives.
Non-Western Culture. One course.
Biological Science. One course.*
Physical Science. One course.*
One additional course in biological or physical science.*
Mathematics. One course.
PSYCH 100 or equivalent.
Health and Physical Development. 2 hours.

footnote *One of the science courses must have a laboratory. A minimum of 9 semester hours of science is required.

In addition, to satisfy state certification requirements, a student must show on his or her transcript at least 15 hours in humanities courses. By the state definition, humanities courses are those in American history, English, history, literature, foreign language (including first and second-year language courses for the foreign language requirement), art, music, theatre, linguistics, and philosophy. While most students in LAS teacher education programs will automatically have at least 15 hours of humanities under the state's definition, students should review their programs to ensure they do so. Any courses used for other requirements (foreign language, distribution requirements above, teaching major, teaching minors, etc.) may be counted in the 15 hours.

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