Teacher Education Programs, M.S.T.

Admission is competitive and space is limited. Meeting minimum criteria does not guarantee admission. All applicants should have an alternative enrollment plan in the event that admission is not offered.

Application:

To apply for admission, students need to submit the following by the deadline:

• Application for admission to the University

• Supplemental application (contact Carol Hall to get a copy of this application).

• Well ordered, 3- to 4-page, typed essay, double spaced with font size no smaller than 10 point.  Address the following points in your essay:

  • Describe personal experiences that led you to pursue a career in education in the specific area in which you applied.

  • Discuss how your experiences or lack thereof have influenced your ideas of cultural/racial/ ethnic diversity (language, people with disabilities, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, etc.)

  • Identify and discuss some experiences that influenced your ideas about the importance of developing inquiring and reflective minds, effective application of technology in the schools, and the teacher's role in fostering a commitment to community service (social, political and religious organizations, i.e., boy scouts, girl scouts, walkathons, UNICEF collections, etc.)

• Current resume

Eligibility:

• All applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements:

  • Competitive UIUC and/or cumulative GPA.

  • Demonstration of high-level written communication (quality of writing, thoughtfulness about education, reflective thinking).

  • Evidence of formal or informal experience working with children or youth comparable to the age-level of students served in the program for which application is made.

  • All applicants must pass the Illinois Certification Testing System Test of Basic Skills prior to admission. Applicants must take the test no later than October 29, 2006, to be considered for admission fall 2007.

• The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign requires field placement in school districts as part of various education curricula and certificate programs. Illinois school districts are required by state law to conduct criminal background investigations for applicants for certified and non-certified positions with a school district. School districts are required that applicants for field placements be subjected to a criminal background review prior to placement in the school districts. Certain convictions are a bar to employment with a school district and are fully set out in the Illinois School Code, 105 ILCS 5/10-21.9, as amended. All convictions will be reviewed for compatibility with placement in a school district. As part of this application, you will be required to consent to a criminal background review and, where necessary, consent to submit your fingerprints to the Illinois State Police. Failure to consent to the background investigation will result in your not being able to complete a public school certification program and in the cancellation of any admission to the program. For further information on this requirement, call the Council on Teacher Education at 217/ 333-2804.
  

• Eligibility requirements for specific programs (courses cited are UIUC offerings:)

  • Elementary and *Early Childhood Education: Completion of an undergraduate degree with coursework in the humanities, sciences, and social sciences. Undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 (A=4.00) or better. Three letters of recommendation

  • Secondary Education: Undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 (A=4.00) or better. Three letters of recommendation.

    • *Biology: Passing score on the Illinois Certification Testing System (ICTS) test in Biology and completion of a sufficient amount of coursework in biological science

    • *Chemistry: Passing score on the ICTS test in Chemistry and completion of a sufficient amount of coursework in chemistry

    • *Earth and Space Science: Passing score on the ICTS test in Earth and Space Science and completion of a sufficient amount of coursework in earth science

    • English Language Arts: Passing score on the ICTS test in Language Arts and completion of a sufficient amount of coursework in English

    • *Mathematics: Passing score on the ICTS test in Mathematics and completion of a sufficient amount of coursework in mathematics

    • *Physics: Passing score on the ICTS test in Physics and completion of a sufficient amount of coursework in physics

    • Social Science History: Passing score on the ICTS test in Social Science and completion of a sufficient amount of coursework in social science (a strong background in history is expected)

*The sciences, mathematics, and early childhood also require GRE scores.