Department of Mathematical Sciences

Preparing to Teach Secondary School Mathematics, Grades 9-12

The NIU Mathematical Sciences department has a long tradition of excellence in teacher preparation. This program prepares students to become licensed teachers of Mathematics in the State of Illinois. This initial licensure is for teaching grades 9 through 12. Our graduates are employed in schools around the state. We are also proud of our high quality teacher training faculty members, who offer students the practical, subject area, and theoretical knowledge they need to succeed as professionals in Mathematics.

Undergraduate students may pursue educator licensure as a Mathematics major or postgraduate. Graduate-level students can meet licensure requirements as students-at-large or in a graduate program. Students must be admitted to Northern Illinois University in order to participate in the licensure programs.

Prospective secondary teachers should confer with their advisors in Mathematical Sciences by the sophomore year and continue to do so each semester. Undergraduate majors apply for admission to educator licensure in Mathematics at the end of the junior year, except in the case of transfer students, who normally apply at the end of their second semester at NIU. Each student should make a careful plan of courses to ensure all requirements for the program will be met. For many students, it is possible to add courses for an endorsement in an additional area.

Guidelines for Meeting Licensure Requirements:

  1. Mathematics Major The B.S. Major in Mathematical Sciences with Mathematics Education emphasis is a 77 semester hour program. See Undergraduate Catalog for General Education Requirements.
  1. Second Teaching Area Endorsement A second teaching area is optional. See an advisor for endorsement requirements or check ISBE requirements through the State of Illinois. Candidates for Illinois endorsements in other content areas must pass the ILTS Content Area Test in each endorsement area
  1. Social Issues Experience (usually completed senior year) Documented completion of any First Aid/CPR course offered by the American Red Cross, at a hospital/community center, etc., or experience with drug abuse education or a demonstrated social issue experience in schools. First Aid/CPR certification must be valid during student teaching semester.
  1. Society & Culture (3 hour course) EPFE 201. Course will satisfy general education requirement.
  1. Writing Infused Course Requirements (2 courses): See Undergraduate Catalog or advisor in Zulauf 201 for more details.
  1. Testing Requirements You must pass theTest of Academic Proficiency (TAP) ofthe Illinois Licensure Testing System (ILTS) before you can enroll in ILAS 301. You must pass theTAP and also the Math Content Area Test (ILTS 115) before you can enroll in MATH 401 and MATH 412 and before you can be formally admitted to the Mathematics Educator Licensure Program. Information, study guides and registration materials are online, The edTPA must be passed during the student teaching semester.
  1. Professional Education Courses (13 hours) EPS 406, SESE 457, LTIC 420 and ETRA 422. See Advising Worksheet for more details.
  1. Clinical Experiences Students must complete 100 clock hours of clinical experiences before student teaching. Clinicals involve observation and tutoring in high school mathematics classes and classroom teaching experiences.
  2. For ILAS 201, ILAS 301, MATH 401, and MATH 413, students must have a completed Criminal Background Check (CBC) and documentation of a current negative TB test submitted to the Coordinator of Educator Licensure in Mathematics. The procedure for obtaining a CBC is determined by each respective school district where students are placed.
  3. ILAS 201 (1 hour course; 30 clock hours) recommend 2nd semester sophomore or 1st semester junior year.
  4. ILAS 301 (2 hour course; 40 clock hours) recommend junior year, concurrently with EPS 406.
  5. MATH 401 (1-2 hour course; 40+ clock hours) recommend concurrently with MATH 412 and ETRA 422.
  6. ILAS 201 and ILAS 301 applications are due the first Wednesday in October for Spring semester enrollment and the first Wednesday in March for Fall semester enrollment. Applications may be downloaded from under Educator Licensure, Applications.
  7. MATH 401/MATH 413 Student Teaching Applications may also be downloaded from the math website. Applications are initially due the second week of the semester immediately prior to the semester you take MATH 401.
  8. Many courses, such as ILAS 201, ILAS 301, MATH 401, MATH 411, and MATH 412, require a permit to register. Sign-up sheets will be available in the Department of Mathematical Sciences, Watson 320.
  9. Applicants with teaching experience in grades 6-12, as verified by an employer, may not need to complete all of the pre-student teaching clinical experiences, at the discretion of the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences (CLAS).

Note: The state of Illinois is changing its requirements for educator licensure in Mathematics. Please keep in contact with your advisor in the Mathematics department to see how we adapt our programs to meet these new requirements while continuing to provide an outstanding mix of pedagogy and content knowledge.

Coordinators of Teacher Licensure

Renee Olsen, aul Stevenson,

Department of Mathematical SciencesDepartment of Mathematical Sciences

Watson 352, 815-753-5390 Watson 351, 815-753-6749