This Elementary Education alternative licensure program enables candidates to hold a paid position as the teacher of record while pursuing an Illinois Professional Educator License (PEL).
The Illinois Administrative Code (23 Illinois Administrative Code 25, Section 25.60) provides an alternate route for non-licensed college graduates to obtain a PEL in Illinois. Similar to any other licensure program, alternative licensure programs follow rigorous guidelines that include accelerated coursework, field experiences, teaching experiences, and licensure testing. Candidates enroll in seven semesters of program coursework including two intensive summer sessions as they complete a 42 credit hour program leading to a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT).
The Elementary Education alternative licensure program simultaneously combines accelerated coursework with classroom experiences and one-to-one mentoring. Candidates in this program will have the guidance and support of a mentor teacher, a University coordinator and a site coach throughout the two years of required provisional teaching.
This program is designed for those who already hold a bachelor's degree in one of the following specifically approved content areas: reading, English/language arts, mathematics, physical science or one of the social sciences. Potential candidates who do not hold a bachelor's degree in one of these approved content areas will be required to submit transcripts to the state superintendent to be reviewed for equivalency.
Program Benchmarks
Full/ Regular Admission
- GPA: Minimum Undergraduate 3.0
- Bachelor's degree from accredited university with the following content course requirements:
- a degree in English/language Arts, mathematics, one of the physical sciences, or one of the social sciences, OR
- the equivalent of a degree -- 32 credit hours in English/language arts, mathematics, one of the physical sciences, or one of the social sciences, OR
- 32 credit hours in a combination of the 4 core content areas - English/language arts, mathematics, physical sciences, and social sciences
- Pass Elementary Education Content Area Test (Grades 1-6) (305)
- Admission Interview
- Obtain a State of Illinois Provisional Alternative Educator License
| Exit | Year 1 | Year 2 |
|---|---|---|
| GPA: Maintain 3.0 or above; all coursework grades must be "C" or above. | GPA: Maintain 3.0 or above; all coursework grades must be "C" or above. | GPA: Maintain 3.0 or above; all coursework grades must be "C" or above. |
|
Complete: VIRTUS training, |
||
| Successfully complete all Year 1 coursework | Successfully complete all Year 2 coursework | Successful completion of all program coursework with a cumulative 3.0 GPA or higher |
| Complete an Elementary Education program self-pre-assessment of Professional Dispositions | ||
| Satisfactory assessments of professional dispositions. | Satisfactory assessments of professional dispositions. | |
| Pass the edTPA by the end of fall II semester | Completion of SXU graduation requirements | |
| Target performance on the formative Danielson evaluation | Target performance on the summative Danielson evaluation | Rating of "proficient" or higher at the conclusion of the comprehensive assessment required under subsection (c)(7) by which candidates are recommended for the PEL |
| Curriculum competency evaluation rating of 3 or above in each of the 7 content areas (ACEI) | Curriculum competency evaluation rating of 3 or above in each of the 7 content areas (ACEI) | |
| Recommended for second year of residency by principal of school and university coordinator |
Post-Graduation Exit survey and Alumni survey |
Sequence of Professional Education Courses
Courses are designed for hybrid/blended delivery; all face-to-face class meetings are scheduled for evenings. Total of 42 credit hours.
Spring 1
- Education Orientation (online) (0)
- Methods of Teaching English as a Second Language (3)
- Cycle of Effective Teaching (2)
- Pre-residency Field Experience Block (1)
Summer 1
- Methods of Reading and Reading in the Content Area (3)
- Survey of Students with Exceptionalities (3)
Fall 1
- Methods of Teaching Mathematics in the Elementary School (2)
- Child Growth and Development (2)
- Residency 1 (2)
Spring 2
- Reading and Writing in the Content Area (2)
- edTPA Seminar (2)
- Residency 1 (2)
Summer 2
- Principles and Methods of Teaching Science, Health and PE in the Elementary School (3)
- Principles and Methods of Teaching Social Science and Fine Arts in the Elementary School (3)
Fall 2
- Assessment and Diagnosis of Reading Problems (2)
- Introduction to Educational Technology (2)
- Residency 2 (2)
Spring 3
- Capstone/Research Seminar (4)
- Residency 2 (2)
Requirements in this program are subject to change within the time span of one's University career due to changing requirements at national, state and local levels.