I have a degree and want to teach
I already have a bachelor's degree and want to become a teacher.
Can I be a substitute teacher?
Chicago-area bilingual paraprofessionals earn an elementary education teaching certificate
Bilingual paraprofessionals may earn an elementary education teaching certificate with a bilingual approval. Learn about the program.
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So, you want to become an educator!
Illinois State University prepares more teachers and administrators than any university in Illinois. Nearly one of every eight teachers in the classrooms of Illinois public schools holds a degree from Illinois State. With a degree from Illinois State, students will be well-prepared to handle the day-to-day situations that teachers face.
The University is recognized nationally as the second-largest producer of teachers among American Association of Colleges of Teacher Education institutions. During the Fall 2007 semester, there were 4,633 teacher candidates (4,443 full-time and 190 part-time). There were 5,503 students enrolled in educational programs accredited by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) and the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).
What do you want to teach?
At Illinois State University you can learn to become a teacher in early childhood (preschool), elementary, middle, secondary, bilingual, and special education classrooms. In addition to our teacher education programs, we have nationally-recognized graduate programs to prepare school administrators and higher education teachers. Illinois State offers 41 degree programs, from the bachelor to the doctoral-level, as well as numerous certification programs for practicing teachers and administrators.
Wonder what your ISU teacher education experience will be like?
When you become a teacher education major at Illinois State University, you will begin your first year by taking a majority of classes in general education. Your academic advisor as a freshman student will be housed in University College. Generally, once you have completed 30 hours, you will be assigned an advisor in your major and will begin completing the classes in your teacher education program.
The classes that you take are aligned with specific requirements that you will need to become certified to teach in the State of Illinois. Some of these requirements include specific lesson plan assignments, technology requirements, and certification tests. You will begin to spend time in an actual classroom by your junior year, where you will be able to observe the practices that you are learning about in your coursework. You will get to experience diverse classroom settings, experience urban school settings, work with special needs populations, and expert teachers in your content field. By the end of your preparation to become a teacher, you will have spent at least 100 hours in actual classrooms with real students. The culmination of your teacher candidacy will be student teaching. Illinois State University offers two different paths for student teaching: a traditional 16 week student teaching placement or a year-long internship in the classroom.
Once you graduate, you will have met or exceeded all of the requirements of the State of Illinois for certification as a teacher. In addition to preparing you to become a teacher, Illinois State’s Career Center can assist you in your career search by helping you write your resume, sponsoring job fairs, and setting up interviews.
Curious about campus?
You can get a feel of life at Illinois State University by taking a panoramic tour, viewing photos of campus, and hearing stories about campus life from our students.
Make sure you visit ISU. Open houses, information sessions, and one-on-one meetings with an admission representative are available.
Ready to apply?
Get admission information, including application deadlines as well as the the admission review and selection process.
Scholarships
Scholarships are available you as a teacher education major through the College of Education. Applications are accepted in the spring of each semester.
The Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program provides a scholarship award plus tuition and fee waivers for up to two years to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) students studying either biology, chemistry or mathematics teacher preparation programs. In return, recipients will commit to teach at least two years in a Chicago Public School (CPS).
The Scholarship Resource Office can provide you with resources to locate scholarships, give you helpful hints on applying for scholarships, and answer your questions regarding the scholarship process.
Interested in graduate study?
In addition to our teacher education programs, ISU has nationally-recognized graduate programs to prepare school administrators and higher education teachers, as well as numerous certification programs for practicing teachers and administrators. Learn more continuing education opportunities.