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Subsequent Certification FAQs
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How can I get a subsequent teaching certificate through NLU?
If you hold a valid initial or standard Illinois Certificate you may enroll in a program to help you obtain a second Illinois teaching certificate in either Early Childhood Education (ECE), Elementary Education (ELE), Secondary Education (SEC), or Special Education (SPE). In order to register for this program you must submit a completed application to the National College of Education Foster G. McGaw graduate school, including official, sealed transcripts from all institutions you have attended. Your transcripts will be evaluated for general education and content requirements.
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Do I need to be admitted to take the first course?
You may take the first course prior to admission but you must have an application and all official transcripts on file with the University. To be admitted you must also meet the current admission criteria regarding deficiencies for the certification program to which you are applying. This means that ELE students, for example, must have 2 or fewer general education deficiencies in order to continue. Only admitted students registered for a minimum off our semester hours are eligible for financial aid.
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Do I need to take the Basic Skills Tests in order to be admitted?
If you were certified prior to July 1, 1988, you will need to pass the Basic Skills Test prior to being admitted.
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Are there any other ISBE tests that I will need?
You must have a passing score report for the subject area test for the subsequent certification area on file with the Clinical Placement Office prior to registering for the practicum class. You must also pass the appropriate grade level Assessment of Professional Teaching (APT) test prior to application for the subsequent certificate that you are seeking.
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Is financial aid available?
To be eligible for financial aid, you must be admitted to the Foster G. McGaw Graduate School and the subsequent certification program and be enrolled in a minimum of four semester hours each term. The first course, Portfolio Development for Subsequent Certification, is a four semester hour course.
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How long will it take for me to obtain my subsequent certificate?
The amount of time will vary depending on your educational background and experience. The first course, Portfolio Development for Subsequent Certification, will evaluate your educational background with regard to institutional, state, and national standards. In this course you will develop an individual electronic professional portfolio and professional development plan to complete the requirements for a subsequent certificate in one of the four areas.
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How many courses will I need to take?
All candidates will take the Portfolio Development for Subsequent Certification course. In this course, it will be determined which additional courses or experiences you must satisfy to be prepared for the Program Practicum course. The practicum course will be the culminating experience leading to recommendation for the desired subsequent certification. The semester hours of the practicum course will vary depending on a pre-practicum review of your background and experience.
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What will be the sequence of my coursework?
During the first quarter, you will put together an appropriate electronic professional portfolio and discuss the following topics: assessment,curriculum, human development, instructional practices for the subject area and/or age level of the certificate being sought. The completed electronic professional portfolio will include but may not be limited to an autobiography, a professional statement regarding new certification, transcripts, your philosophy of education, a professional development plan and appropriate artifacts to document all the required competencies. The artifacts will include your transcripts, all certificates, and all ISBE test results. Based on the evaluation of the portfolio, additional courses or experiences that you will need to satisfy the requirements necessary for a subsequent certificate will be determined.
First Quarter:
- ECE569 or ELE569 or SEC569 or SPE569 Portfolio Development for Subsequent Certification (4 SH)
Additional Quarters:
- Additional subject area courses, appropriate observations in schools or other settings, other requirements as determined by portfolio evaluation.
Final Quarter:
- ECE575 or ELE575 or SEC575 or SPE575 Program Practicum for Subsequent Certification (3-6 SH) Each candidate will be assigned a university advisor in the new certification area to facilitate and monitor progress through the focused program.
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Will I need to complete preclinical hours in addition to my coursework and practicum or as part of my coursework?
Depending on the courses you will need to take, you may be required to complete preclinical hours as part of those courses. In Practicum you will be required to complete between 75 and 150 hours in a classroom that reflects the subsequent certificate that you are seeking. You will be supervised in this experience by a university supervisor.
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How will I find practicum placements?
It is expected that you will be proactive in finding appropriate practicum placements given your unique situation. NLU’s Clinical Placement Office will assist in the process.
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Will I be able to continue with my current teaching position when I am doing a practicum?
Each candidate is unique and the answer depends on the amount of practicum experience you will need and your current position.
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Will this program lead to an initial certificate in the new area?
By completing this focused program you will document the knowledge, skills, and dispositions required for initial certification in the desired area.
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Last modified on: 2009-01-12 14:03:18 _co-mead.nl.edu_
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