Teaching Certification

The University Center of Lake County provides several options for students who wish to become certified teachers.  The paths to certification vary based on:

whether the candidate has already earned a bachelor’s degree

the subject the candidate wishes to teach

school level (early childhood, elementary, middle school, high school).

In almost all cases, however, the prospective student should begin by taking and passing the Test of Academic Proficiency (formerly known as the Illinois Test of Basic Skills).

Kendall College’s BA in Early Childhood Education for pre-kindergarten through third grade (with an 04 certification).

Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s BS in Elementary Education for elementary or middle school level (with an 03 certification). 

University of Illinois at Springfield now offers several online bachelor’s degree programs with secondary (09) certification.  Majors include English, History, Liberal Studies, and Mathematics. 

All programs described above can also accept students who already hold degrees.  Click on the links in the section above for more information.

Dominican University offers an MA in Teaching program.

Dominican University also offers a program for prospective special education teachers MS in Special Education that leads to LBSI certification.  It can admit students in Fall, Spring, or Summer.

Prospective teachers who would like to learn more about certification requirements should visit the Illinois State Board of Education website.  Those who wish to learn more about Lake County’s teacher hiring needs should visit the Lake County Regional Office of Education website.  The ROE also certifies degree-holders to work as substitute teachers; career-changers might take advantage of that opportunity to explore their interest in becoming a teacher.  The University Center’s Related Resources page also includes a number of resources useful to current or prospective teachers.