The United States Department of Education, for the last six years, has pointed out a national shortage of science teachers, including biology teachers.
Source:"Designated Teacher Shortage Areas," Illinois State Board of Education
Outstanding Preparation
At Governors State University, the Biology Education certificate program leads to a post-baccalaureate certificate that prepares students who already have an undergraduate degree in biology for a rewarding career as a teacher at the secondary level.
The sequence of coursework is approved by the Illinois State Board of Education and leads to an initial secondary license in Biology. You can also obtain an endorsement for teaching in middle school.
To be recommended for an Illinois State Board of Education teaching certificate, you must present evidence of having passed the Test of Academic Proficiency (formerly Basic Skills), Subject Matter Knowledge and Assessment of Professional Teaching examinations of the Illinois Certification Testing System.
You must complete a student teaching requirement in biology and must meet other requirements for licensure through approved programs in the Teacher Education and Certification section of the GSU catalog.
Program Fact Sheet
Degree Requirements
Students must meet all university requirements for a license, and in addition, students must complete the general education requirement for teacher licensure Initial High School License listed in the Teacher Education section of this catalog.
In addition, students must:
- have a cumulative G.P.A. of 2.75 or higher;
- earn a grade of "C" or better in all general education courses;
- have a G.P.A. of 2.75 or higher for all general education courses;
- have a G.P.A. of 3.0 or higher in all biology, chemistry, and physics courses;
- have a G.P.A. of 3.0 or higher for EDCP-6101, EDUC-3440, and SPED-6101, with a grade of "C" or better in each course;
- earn a grade of "B" or better in EDUC-2310, EDUC 6301, EDUC 6302, EDUC-6330, and EDUC-6340;
- earn a grade of "B" or better in EDUC-4999;
- complete a minimum of 100 clock-hours of supervised pre-student teaching experiences;
- provide evidence of successful completion of the Illinois and U.S. Constitution examinations;
- complete at least one three-hour course in nonwestern or third world cultures;
- meet any additional requirements listed in the Teacher Licensure section of this catalog; and
- receive a positive recommendation from the Secondary Education Student Progress Committee.
Professional Education (minimum of 24 Hours at GSU)
The following courses can be taken at either the lower-division or upper-division level:
The following courses must be taken at the upper-division level:
Additional Requirements
Students may need to complete additional general education or Biology courses if their bachelor degree requirements do not meet the requirements of the approved Governors State University program for the endorsement in Biology Education.
Minimum Total - 30 Hours
View the Complete Requirements in the Academic Catalog
Natalie Coleman
University Lecturer
708.534.4512
ncoleman7@govst.edu