How Do I Become a Teacher?

In order to become certified in Illinois, individuals must complete a state approved certificate preparation program (or hold a valid and comparable out-of-state certificate), meet all coursework and testing requirements, and meet all other requirements detailed in Illinois statute and rules.

Traditional Certification
A traditional teacher certification track is when individuals attend school full-time and earn a teaching certificate upon completing a degree. In Illinois, individuals must complete a state-approved certificate preparation program (or hold a valid and comparable out-of-state certificate), meet all coursework and testing requirements, and meet all other requirements detailed in Illinois statute and rules in order to become a certified teacher. Learn more about general certification requirements at the Illinois State Board of Education.

Some traditional certification programs are designed so that you can complete a bachelor’s degree and earn a teaching license while keeping a full-time job. We recommend the National Teacher Education Center (NTEC) where you will receive real-world experience in the classroom via a required student-teaching assignment in either Special Education or Elementary Education. After successfully completing the program of your choice, you will be eligible to continue on for a Bilingual or ESL endorsement with an extra semester of coursework.

National Teacher Education Center also offers the opportunity to earn your master’s degree and a teaching license in the evenings while continuing to work at your current job. All master’s programs have an option for a Bilingual, ESL, or Reading endorsement.

Both programs are offered in a blended format, with online instruction and face-to-face seminars offered at convenient locations near you. The blended format allows you a flexible schedule during the day, so you can maintain your current employment.

Alternative Certification
Individuals who already hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university and have related work experience may be interested in one of Illinois’ Alternate Certification Programs. Candidates in an alternative certification program can earn teaching license while working as a full-time, paid teacher in an Illinois classroom if they:

• complete one semester of coursework prior to entering the classroom
• pass the Illinois Test of Basic Skills
• pass the content knowledge test relevant to their area of certification, and
• complete a practice teaching assignment.

Candidates who meet these requirements earn a provisional teaching license and are deemed highly qualified under Illinois law. This allows schools to hire candidates on a provisional license and pay them as full-time teacher.

Qualified candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution or the verified overseas equivalent.

In general, alternative certification programs may prepare teachers in any area. However, for the most part they are used to meet the need for more teachers in shortage areas like:

• special education
• bilingual education
• high school math, and
• high school science
• foreign language.

It is also possible to complete an alternative certification program in other areas (e.g., elementary education) but these are not shortage areas and as a result schools generally hire candidates from the supply of traditionally certified teachers.

Alternative certification programs are offered by a number of providers. We recommend the programs offered by Quincy University through the National Teacher Education Center (NTEC).