The has consistently reported teacher shortages, particularly in critical areas such as STEM subjects, which include science and biology. These shortages have been documented over multiple years and have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, further highlighting the ongoing challenge of attracting and retaining qualified science teachers.
Outstanding Preparation
At 黑料社 University, the Biology Education certificate program leads to a post-baccalaureate certificate that prepares students who already have an undergraduate degree in biology for a rewarding career as a teacher at the secondary level.
The sequence of coursework is approved by the Illinois State Board of Education and leads to an initial secondary license in Biology. You can also obtain an endorsement for teaching in middle school.
To be recommended for an Illinois State Board of Education teaching certificate, you must present evidence of having passed the Test of Academic Proficiency (formerly Basic Skills), Subject Matter Knowledge, and Assessment of Professional Teaching examinations of the Illinois Certification Testing System.
You must complete a student teaching requirement in biology and must meet other requirements for licensure through approved programs in the Teacher Education and Certification section of the .
Program Fact Sheet
Degree Requirements
Students must meet all university requirements for a license, and in addition, students must complete the general education requirement for teacher licensure Initial High School License listed in the Teacher Education section of this catalog.
In addition, students must:
- have a cumulative G.P.A. of 2.75 or higher;
- earn a grade of 鈥淐鈥 or better in all general education courses;
- have a G.P.A. of 2.75 or higher for all general education courses;
- have a G.P.A. of 3.0 or higher in all biology, chemistry, physics, and earth/space science courses with a grade of 鈥淐鈥 or better;
- have a G.P.A. of 3.0 or higher in all biology, chemistry, physics, and earth/space science courses with a grade of 鈥淐鈥 or better;
- earn a grade of 鈥淏鈥 or better in , , , and ;
- earn a grade of 鈥淏鈥 or better in ;
- complete a minimum of 100 clock hours of supervised pre-student teaching experiences;
- provide evidence of successful completion of the Illinois and U.S. Constitution examinations;
- complete at least one three-hour course in nonwestern or third world cultures;
- show evidence of having passed the edTPA;
- meet any additional requirements listed in the Teacher Licensure section of this catalog;
- and
receive a positive recommendation from the Secondary Education Student Progress Committee.
Professional Education (minimum of 24 Hours at GovState)
The following courses can be taken at either the lower-division or upper-division level:
- Foundations of Education (3)
- Survey of Students with Exceptionalities (3)
- Survey of Students with Exceptionalities (3)
The following courses must be taken at the upper-division level:
- Educational Psychology II: Learning, Assessment and Classroom Management (3)
- Student Teaching: Senior Capstone (12)
- Principles of Science Education (3)
- Secondary Microteaching 1 (1)
- Teaching Secondary School Science (3)
- 6302 Secondary Microteaching 2 (1)
- Special Topics in Biology (3)
Additional Requirements
Students may need to complete additional general education or Biology courses if their bachelor's degree requirements do not meet the requirements of the approved 黑料社 University program for the endorsement in Biology Education.
Minimum Total - 30 Hours
Novalla Coleman
Academic Advisor
Office C-3385
Phone: 708.534.8393
Email: ncoleman3@govst.edu
Biology Education Certificate Faculty
Natalie Coleman
Coordinator of Secondary Science Education Programs
Phone: 708.534.4521
Email: ncoleman7@govst.edu