CERTIFICATION COURSE REQUIREMENTS

NATURAL SCIENCE
Chemistry

All science candidates, regardless of disciplinary major, are required to demonstrate competence in the common core science standards.  Thus, while science candidates major in one of the above disciplines, you may be required to take coursework across the sciences.

Upon completing an approved program and taking all ISBE tests, you will earn a Secondary Certificate (Type 09) with an endorsement in science with a designation in your major (biology, chemistry, or physics).   This certificate and endorsement will allow you to teach lower level courses across the sciences:  biology, chemistry, earth and space science, environmental science, and physics. You may, however, only teach honors and AP courses in your designation, that is, the subject of your major.

The program of courses in Chemistry assures a depth of experience as well as a breadth of exposure to concepts of inorganic, organic, physical and analytical chemistry. The required laboratory components assure that the student has gained an appreciation of the subject matter from a practical as well as a theoretical viewpoint. Required coursework in math and physics, as well as the recommended courses in biology, assure that the student has both the skills and experience to deal with aspects of chemistry related to other physical and life science topics.

Professional Education Requirements

The courses below must be taken in the sequence listed. Refer to the IWU catalog for course prerequisites. None of the courses below may be taken concurrently.

*ACM Urban Education (UEP) participants may student teach spring semester senior year, with approval.
**Ninth semester graduates and spring semester UEP candidates only may take Educ 401 during the spring semester of the junior year, with department approval.

Middle School Endorsement Option

Candidates wishing to teach subject specific grades 6-8 must complete Teaching and Learning in the Middle School (Educ 260). Coursework on early adolescent development is included in Educational Studies 255 and 260. Candidates wishing to student teach in grades 6-8 should take Educ 260 prior to student teaching, but not concurrent with Educational Studies 362.

General Education

While Illinois Wesleyan University general education requirements are the same as those required by all students in the College of Liberal Arts, the following courses are recommended for science certification candidates, in order to meet ISBE Content Area Standards.

Major Requirements

ISBE Standards

All science majors must demonstrate proficiency in the core science standards. as well as the content area standards specific to one’s designation (major) . The APT test, Grades 6-12 (103) is required prior to recommendation for certification. Registration can be completed here.

You may qualify to teach honors/AP courses in other designations by completing the requirements outlined on page 40. Note:  It is not possible to earn endorsements in environmental or earth science without completing an approved program in biology, chemistry, or physics.

Requirements for Additional Endorsement Designations in Science

Biology

• Completion of an approved program in biology, chemistry or physics
• Educ 362 and 362A1
• Bio 101 and 102
• Chem 201 and 202
• Bio 306 or 315
• Bio 217, 219, or 316
• Additional biology 300 or above
• 1 unit from earth and space science, environmental science or physics
• ISBE Content Area test in Science: Biology (105)

Chemistry

• Completion of an approved program in biology, chemistry or physics
• Educ 362 and 362A2
• 6 units in chemistry, including 3 in upper level coursework
• 2 units from 2 other designated areas (biology, earth and space science, environmental science, and/or physics)
• ISBE Content Area test in Science: Chemistry (106)

Earth and Space Science

• Completion of an approved program in biology, chemistry or physics
• Educ 362 and 362A3
• 6 units in earth and space science, including 3 in upper level coursework
• 2 units from 2 other designated areas (biology, chemistry, environmental science, and/or physics)
• ISBE Content Area test in Science: Earth and Space Science (108)

Environmental Science

• Completion of an approved program in biology, chemistry or physics
• Educ 362 and 362A1
• 6 units in environmental science, including 3 in upper level coursework
• 2 units from 2 other designated areas (biology, chemistry, earth and space science, and/or physics)
• ISBE Content Area test in Science: Environmental Science (112)

Physics

• Completion of an approved program in biology, chemistry or physics
• Educ 362 and 362A3
• 6 units in physics, including 3 in upper level coursework
• 2 units from 2 other designated areas (biology, chemistry, earth and space science, and/or environmental science)
• ISBE Content Area test in Science: Physics (116)

Coursework for the above endorsements may be taken at other institutions with the approval of your major advisor and the Director of Teacher Education.

Second Subject Teaching Endorsements

Natural Science candidates may earn a second subject endorsement in Health Education by

• Completing a major or 8 units in Health, including upper level coursework.
• ISBE Content Area exam in Health Education (142).

The completion of endorsements is noted during the entitlement process completed by the Educational Studies office.

Natural science candidates may earn other subject endorsements only by completing the appropriate approved program. Refer to www.iwu.edu/~edstu for specific program requirements.

You may add endorsements to your certificate after graduation and any time during your teaching career by completing state requirements . The application form can be found here.