Illinois School Code: 105 ILCS 5/21-5c Alternative Route to Teacher Certification
Certification Program:
A one-year nonrenewable provisional alternative teaching certificate will be issued when the participant meets all of the following criteria:
- Graduated from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree (GPA of 2.75).
- Employed for at least five years in an area requiring application of the participant’s education.
- Passed the Illinois basic skills and subject matter knowledge tests.
The participants must complete the following:
First Phase: Successfully completed an intensive course of study in education theory, instructional methods and practice.
Second Phase: Full-time teaching position for one school year with the advice and assistance of a mentor teacher.
Third Phase: A comprehensive assessment of the participant’s teaching performance by school officials and program participants and recommendation for certification by the higher education institution.
A nonrenewable Initial Teaching Certificate, valid for four years, will be issued following completion of the three phases. After completing four years of teaching, individuals may apply for the Standard Teaching Certificate.
SIUC’s Alternative Route to Teacher Certification Program is designed for individuals seeking the Illinois Type 09 Standard Teaching License. The program is designed for students who possess content area expertise and work experience in the area in which they seek teacher certification.
The alternative route to certification program is an intensive standards-based program that recognizes the unique strengths of each candidate. As a result, teacher candidates in the alternative route program are expected to meet the same standards required of all beginning teachers. The alternative route program is not a “fast-track” program.
The Illinois Professional Education Standards--for all Illinois teachers and for each secondary content area--that applicants are required to meet are explained at this site: http://www.isbe.state.il.us/profprep/pcstandardrules.htm
The Department of Workforce Education and Development at SIUC offers alternative certification programs in these career and technical education teaching areas:
- Agricultural Education
- Business, Marketing, and Computer Education
- Family and Consumer Sciences
- Health Careers
- Technology Education (Industrial Technology)
