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.

To be recommended for an Illinois State Board of Education teaching license, the student 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 Licensure Testing System.

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, 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 (3) hours in  Early Adolescent Educational Psychology and three (3) hours in  Curriculum and Methods for Middle Schools. Students should contact the Office of Secondary Education for specific course numbers.

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 2.5 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 meet the following requirements:

1. complete EDUC-2310  (or equivalent) with a grade of “B” or better;
2. submit evidence of having passed the Test of Academic Proficiency (formerly Basic Skills) of the Illinois Licensure Testing System; and
3. submit scores from the ETS Proficiency Profile.

Some schools and/or school districts require criminal background checks in advance of any field experience undertaken by teacher preparation candidates in school settings. Candidates may be required to comply with these requirements. 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 Undergraduate 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 Field Experiences in the College of Education. The application must be submitted by December 1 for the fall term and January 31 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  and EDUC-6340  with a grade of “B” or better;
3. must have completed methods course 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.