Educator Licensure

Our educator licensure program prepares you to teach mathematics in grades 9-12 in the state of Illinois. Students may also qualify to teach grades 6-8 by passing the appropriate content exam.

Undergraduate students may pursue educator licensure as part of the mathematics education emphasis or as postgraduate students. Graduate students may complete licensure requirements as students-at-large or as part of a graduate program, subject to program policy.

The program includes 46-47 credit hours typically completed over four semesters alongside upper-level mathematics coursework. Students attending part time or completing additional requirements may take longer to finish the program.

Learn more about Illinois educator licensure requirements.

Why Study Mathematics Education at NIU?

• The mathematics education emphasis prepares teachers to teach the full spectrum of high school mathematics, including Advanced Placement courses.
• Our professors teach a wide variety of instructional methods and the theory behind them. Most have public school teaching experience.
• Students work closely with advisors and educator licensure coordinators throughout the program.
• Mathematics education majors complete clinical experiences and student teaching in some of Illinois' best school districts.
• Graduates of the program teach throughout northern Illinois, including the Chicago suburbs and collar counties.
• The core requirements of the emphasis also prepare students for graduate study in mathematics and careers beyond teaching.

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Eligibility

Students are admitted to the secondary mathematics educator licensure program after meeting the following requirements:

• Establish an advising file with the program and complete satisfactory progress reviews each semester.
• Complete at least 12 semester hours at NIU with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.50.
• Earn a minimum GPA of 2.25 in all courses counted toward the major and a grade of C or better in all mathematics courses.
• Earn a minimum GPA of 2.25 in mathematics courses above MATH 231.
• Complete at least 20 clock hours of approved early clinical experiences.
• Receive approval from the secondary mathematics educator licensure program.

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Program Requirements

Students admitted to the licensure program must:

• Maintain a GPA of 2.50 in all coursework completed at NIU.
• Maintain a minimum GPA of 2.25 in courses counted toward the major.
• Maintain a minimum GPA of 2.25 in mathematics courses above MATH 231.
• Complete a satisfactory progress review each semester with the coordinator of educator licensure.
• Pass the ILTS Mathematics Content Exam before applying for student teaching.
• Pass the Teacher Performance Assessment (edTPA) before completing the program.

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Courses and Clinical Experiences

A complete listing of discipline course requirements is available in the undergraduate catalog.

Note: Update the link above so it points to the undergraduate catalog for Emphasis 2: Mathematics Education.

The Illinois State Board of Education requires at least 100 clock hours of clinical experiences before student teaching. Students typically complete the following sequence:

• ILAS 201 - Introductory Clinical Experience
• ILAS 301 - Second Clinical Experience
• MATH 401 - Clinical Secondary School Experience in Mathematics
• MATH 413 - Student Teaching

Students must apply in advance for clinical courses. Information and application materials are available on the CLAS educator licensure website.

Students must earn a grade of C or better in all required professional education coursework, including courses in human development and learning, teaching English language learners and teaching exceptional children.

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Additional Endorsements

The program also meets the requirements for the middle school mathematics endorsement. Students can add the endorsement by passing the middle grades mathematics content exam.

There are also two endorsements in mathematics available for those who already hold licensure in another area.

Students may earn additional endorsements by completing 18 credit hours in the content area and passing the appropriate content exam.

For those with primary licensure in another area but a strong background in mathematics, an endorsement in mathematics may be obtained either for grades 9-12 or grades 6-8 while completing a minor in mathematical sciences. These programs typically require approximately 18-24 credit hours of coursework after the three-semester calculus sequence.

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Advising and Transfer Students

Students interested in secondary mathematics licensure are encouraged to meet with an advisor to discuss academic planning and program requirements.

• Review the departmental licensure requirements before transferring coursework from a community college.
• Students may complete the calculus sequence and computer programming coursework at a community college before transferring to NIU.
• Students planning to take MATH 240 during their first semester at NIU should consider enrolling in ILAS 201 during that semester.

If you plan to take ILAS 201 during your first semester at NIU, contact a coordinator of educator licensure by the fifth week of the semester before transferring.