Biology Education Certificate

This is a post-baccalaureate certificate to prepare graduates of Biology programs for teacher licensure in Biology at the secondary education level which is offered through the College of Arts and Sciences  .

Teacher Licensure

This sequence of courses is approved by the Illinois State Board of Education and leads to the Initial Secondary High School License in Biology. To be recommended for certification by Governors State University, students must earn a grade “B” or better in EDUC-4999 Student Teaching: Senior Capstone : Biology.

Recommendation for an Illinois State Board of Education teaching license, requires passage of the Subject-Matter Knowledge examination of the Illinois Licensure Testing System, and the national education Teaching Performance Assessment (edTPA).

Students must meet other requirements for licensure through approved programs listed in the Licensure of Teachers and Other School Professionals  section in this catalog. This requirement is likely to include additional general education and content courses.

Students may obtain an endorsement that prepares them for teaching in the middle school. Students choosing to pursue the middle school endorsement must take three credit-hours in methods related to middle school. Students should contact their academic advisor for specific course requirements.

Admission to Biology Education

In addition to meeting all university admissions requirements for certificate students, applicants must meet the following requirements to be admitted to the Biology Education certificate:

1. have a bachelor’s or higher in Biology from a regionally accredited college or university;
2. have a cumulative average G.P.A. of 2.75 or higher in all lower division courses applied to the degree program; and
3. submit a word-processed essay not to exceed 300 words explaining why the applicant wishes to be a teacher.

Continuation in the Certificate

In order to continue in the certificate after the first term of enrollment, students must complete EDUC-2310  (or equivalent) with a grade of “B” or better.

All candidates for Illinois teacher licensure at Governors State University are required to submit to a criminal background check prior to their initial field experience in the schools. For more information on this testing visit www.certifiedbackground.com. Consult with your advisor for information concerning the related GSU policies and procedures.

Student Progress

The faculty monitors and evaluates student progress continually. The section, Licensure of Teachers and Other School Professionals , in this catalog provides a general description of the standards used to evaluate student progress. A more detailed statement of the standards and processes followed by the secondary education faculty is available in the Secondary Education Student Handbook available via the student portal on the GSU website.

Conditional Continuation

The faculty may permit a student to continue conditionally. In such cases, faculty reviews of the student’s records identify evidence that the student will likely be successful in the program. The status of all students allowed to continue under conditions is reviewed by the faculty each term, and the students are informed in writing of the conditions necessary for them to be transferred to good standing status. When conditions are met, the student is informed in writing of the transfer to good standing status. A student may not be admitted to student teaching without being in good standing status.

Student Handbook

The Student Handbook Undergraduate Degrees in Secondary Education referred to in this catalog is available online at http://www.govst.edu/Academics/Colleges_and_Programs/College_of_Arts_and_Sciences/Secondary_Education_Programs_in_Biology,_Chemistry,_English_and_Mathematics/

Admission to Student Teaching

Before enrolling in EDUC - 4999 Student Teaching: Senior Capstone (12) , an application for admission to student teaching must be submitted to the Director of Educator Preparation in the College of Education. The application must be submitted by December 1 for the fall term and March 1 for the spring term preceding the academic year in which the student intends to teach. Student teaching is not offered in the summer term. This application for student teaching will certify that the student applying has or will have met the following requirements:

1. completed at least 48 hours of general education requirements with a G.P.A. of 2.75 or higher in courses taken at Governors State University;
2. completed professional education course requirements, except student teaching, including a minimum of 100 clock-hours of field experience with a G.P.A. of 3.0 or higher, with a grade of “C” or better in each course, and EDUC-6330 , EDUC-6340 , and BIOL-6080  with a grade of “B” or better;
3. must have completed methods courses no more than two years prior to the commencement of student teaching;
4. have no more than six hours remaining to be completed in the major in which the student is enrolled with a G.P.A. of 3.0 or higher and completed all courses with a grade of “C” or better;
5. met all state requirements applicable to the subject matter area(s) in which the student will teach as outlined in Section IX, Staff Qualifications of the Illinois State Board of Education publication, Minimum Requirements for State Licensure;
6. submitted evidence of having passed the Biology content area exam of the Illinois Licensure Testing System; and
7. received a positive recommendation from the Secondary Education Student Progress Committee.