Prerequisites to Enter a College of Education Major in Elementary, Early Childhood, or Special Education or a Minor in Secondary School Teaching

• All applicants must pass the Illinois Certification Testing System Test of Basic Skills prior to admission.   Applicants must take the Basic Skills test no later than the last exam administered in the fall semester  (typically given in November) preceding the February 1 application date. Register for the test online.

1. All applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements:
   • Junior standing (60 hours completed by term of entry) for Elementary, Early Childhood or Minor in Secondary School Teaching
   • Sophomore standing (30 hours completed by the term of entry) for Special Education
   • Competitive UIUC and cumulative GPA (Applicants must have at least a 2.5 (A=4.000) UIUC and cumulative grade point average at the time of application.)
   • Satisfactory completion of Composition I
   • Three years of one language other than English in high school or the second level course in college must be completed by desired term of entry
   • Evidence of having 50 hours of formal experience working with children or youth comparable to the age-level of students served in the program for which application is made.
   • Pass the Illinois Certification Testing System Test of Basic Skills prior to application to the program
2. The following courses have been identified by the respective departments as prerequisites for entry into the teaching options of their majors. Completion of the courses before entry serves two principal purposes: it provides evidence of an applicant's prospects for success in the advanced portion of the program, and it helps to ensure completion of the entire program in a timely manner. Applicants who have not completed or are not enrolled in the prerequisite courses at the time of application may be at a competitive disadvantage for admission to highly selective programs.

Elementary or Early Childhood Education (subject to change)

PSYC 100, one of the following: HIST 170, 171, 172 or 173; 3 hours of literature; EPS 201 or 202; EPSY 236 or PSYC 216; Credit in Math 012 or 016 or a course beyond the level of college algebra. (Credit in college algebra or a course beyond that level must be earned at the time of application.)

Special Education

Applicants must have fulfilled a majority of the general education requirements prior to beginning the professional course sequence. (Contact the Pre-Teacher Education Advisor for additional information at (217) 333-2800.) Applicant's 50 hours of formal experience must be with students who have disabilities. This experience should be described in the essay.

Secondary Teaching Options:

NOTE: Priority for admission to secondary areas is given to applicants who can complete the requirements of the LAS Major and the Minor in Secondary School Teaching in 10 semesters, including previous course work.

• Minimum 2.5 grade point average required in UIUC major courses at the time of application.
• Completion of coursework in desired LAS major as follows:
• Science: Biology: MATH 220 or 221; CHEM 102 and 103, 104 and 105, 232 and 233; IB 150; MCB 150; one required 200-level IB course; one required 200-level MCB course; EPSY 201, EPS 201 or 202
• Science: Chemistry: Select one of the following sequences: MATH 220 or 221 and 230 or 231; CHEM 102, 103, 104, 105, 222, 223, 232 and 233; EPSY 201; EPS 201 or 202 OR MATH 220 or 221 and 230 or 231; CHEM 202, 203, 204, 205, 236 and 237; EPSY 201; EPS 201 or 202
• Science: Earth and Space Science: CHEM 102 and 103; MATH 220 or 221 or 234; GEOL 107, 108 or 208, and 333 or 432; EPSY 201; EPS 201 or 202
• English Language Arts: ENGL 200 (preferred)/110; or ENGL 101 and 102; or ENGL 101 and 103; at least nine hours chosen from ENGL 209, 210, 255, 256 or 301; EPSY 201; EPS 201
• Mathematics: MATH 220 or 221, 230 or 231 and 241 or 242 or 243 and completion of three advanced mathematics courses; EPSY 201; EPS 201 or 202
• Science: Physics: CHEM 102 and 103 (or CHEM 202 and 203); MATH 220 or 221, 230 or 231, 241 or 242, 380 and 385; PHYS 211, 212, 213 and 214; EPSY 201; EPS 201 or 202
• Social Science: History: HIST 141, 142, and 171 or 172; one additional history course; EPSY 201; EPS 201; PS 101; SOC 100; STAT 100; plus one course from ANTH 143, ECON 102, or ECON 103