The Educational Studies Department is committed to carrying out the mission of the college emphasizing the discovery of connections, exploration of multiple perspectives, and an appreciation of the creative tension that exists among the principles of democracy, pluralism, equality, and freedom.

In addition to the college mission, the Teacher Education Program and all concerned stakeholders have developed and are committed to a more specific mission:

The mission of the Monmouth College Teacher Education Program is to ensure that candidates will cultivate the academic and pedagogic expertise they need to integrate their learning into conceptually rich, interdisciplinary, and meaningful curriculum and instruction to promote community partnerships and the educational success and well-being of all students.
Becoming a competent educator involves personal commitment and extensive professional preparation.

The conceptual framework that guides the development of certification candidates is centered around the intentional goals of Expertise, Integration, Responsiveness, Empowerment, and Community.
Most candidates enrolling in educational studies department courses pursue a teacher certification program leading to an initial Illinois Elementary Certificate, an initial Illinois Secondary Certificate, or an initial Illinois Special Certificate. Endorsements to the elementary and secondary certificates, permitting teaching at the middle school level, are also available. The requirements for each of these certification programs are detailed below.

Candidates completing a program approved by the State of Illinois, in most instances, qualify for certificates in other states. Advisors in the educational studies department are prepared to discuss the requirements of other states and the steps necessary to apply for certification.

Candidates for an Illinois teaching certificate must pass the appropriate state-administered competency tests in order to be admitted to the program, continue in the program and to obtain a certificate. Monmouth College teacher candidates have scored well on these tests, and during the last year of available data, 2004-2005, Illinois State Board of Education records show that 100% of the candidates who completed our program passed both the ICTS Basic Skills and Subject-Matter Content Field tests required for certification.

All Teacher Education Programs are reviewed periodically by the Illinois State Teacher Certification Board. The professional education sequence and related content area courses have been aligned with the Illinois Content Area Standards for Educators. The Monmouth College Teacher Education Program is currently accredited through the Spring of 2007 by the Illinois State Teacher Certification Board.

The Educational Studies Department currently offers a major in elementary education and course work leading to an initial Illinois teacher certificate.

Initial Illinois teaching certificates available through Monmouth College include: Elementary (type 03), Secondary (type 09), and K-12 Special (type 10).

A variety of optional endorsements to the initial certificate in specific content areas may be earned through the completion of additional course work; this includes the middle level endorsement.

Foundational Requirements
All candidates are required to complete these courses regardless of the certification area:
EDUC 100, 101, 210, & 215; TEDP 200, 201, & 202; POLS 103; PHED 180/250; and HIST 313/PHIL 211

Elementary Education Major & Certification Sequence (K-4 grade level)
In addition to the foundational requirements listed above candidates must complete: EDUC 220; TEDP 300, 301, 360, 361, 362, 365, 366, 400, 401, & 402; a TEDP/EDUC elective; and at least 24 semester hours in an approved content-area. Approved content-areas include: English, French, Latin, Mathematics, Music, Science, Social Science, Spanish, Speech/Theatre and Visual Arts.

Secondary Certification Sequence (9-12 grade level)
In addition to the foundational requirements listed above candidates must complete: TEDP 300, 301, 350, 400, 401, & 402; two TEDP/EDUC electives; a specific methods course in the chosen major; and completion of a major in an approved certification area. Approved content majors include: Biology, Chemistry, English, History, Mathematics, Music, Physical Education, Physics, Political Science, and Visual Arts.

Special Certification Sequence (K-12 grade level)
In addition to the foundational requirements listed above candidates must complete: TEDP 300, 301, 350, 351, 352, 400, 401, & 402; specific methods course(s) in the chosen major; and completion of a major in an approved certification area. Approved content majors include: French, Latin, Music, Physical Education, Spanish, and Visual Arts.

Bilingual and E.S.L. Approval
Monmouth offers, in conjunction with the Urban Education Program of the Associated Colleges of the Midwest, a program that leads to bilingual or ESL teacher approval. This credential is required of teachers who work with Spanish-speaking students making the transition to the English-language curriculum of the public schools. The program includes both course work and field experiences on campus and in Chicago.
The specific courses required of the teacher candidate vary depending upon the candidate’s language proficiency, major teaching field, and the certificate sought. Essentially, the candidate must qualify for one of the standard teaching certificates described above and meet specific requirements regarding cognate language courses and teaching-methods courses. Since the program varies with the candidate’s teaching interests and language facility, the candidate must consult an advisor in the education department as early as possible to plan his or her program.

Equipment/Facilities
An important component of the Teacher Education Program is the use of Monmouth-area schools as clinical sites. It is in these settings, working with experienced school teachers, that students have an excellent opportunity to enrich their understanding of the theories of learning and teaching that are discussed in education courses. These clinical settings also provide students with an opportunity to become engaged in the "real world" of teaching as they pursue a four-year program leading to certification. Videotaping and computer facilities on the college campus also provide students a chance to practice and learn the skills needed to become successful teachers.

Off-Campus Programs
Another dimension of the Teacher Education Program involves interacting in the real world of teaching in a variety of school settings that exist in the college's surrounding communities. Teacher candidates at Monmouth College may apply for involved student teaching placement in an urban environment. The Urban Education Program provides qualifying students with the opportunity to choose from a rich assortment of unique school programs that are available in the Chicago area for student teaching placement.

Career/Graduate School Opportunities
A career in education offers several opportunities. An individual can teach or may opt to work in a school setting but in a role other than that of teaching. For example, a teacher may decide to pursue a career as a principal, superintendent, school psychologist or counselor. A career in education typically involves pursuing a graduate school program. Many teachers pursue a graduate degree either to improve their teaching competency or to develop a new competency in education if they decide to leave the classroom in favor of one of the roles described above.

A career in education also provides a sound foundation to an individual who may decide upon a different career after having been a teacher. Our department is convinced that the preparation it provides for prospective teachers, and the experience its graduates receive in schools once they become teachers, provide an excellent foundation for those contemplating a career change into such areas as business or government. Effective teachers know how to plan, communicate, and evaluate. These competencies are needed and valued in other careers.

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