CERTIFICATION COURSE REQUIREMENTS
NATURAL SCIENCE
Physics
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.
Professional Education Requirements
The courses below must be taken in the sequence listed. Refer to the IWU catalog for course prerequisites and restrictions on concurrent enrollment.
| First year, spring semester or sophomore year, fall semester | Educ 225 | Education and Social Justice (CSI) |
| Sophomore year, fall or spring | Educ 255 | Child Study and Assessment (WI) |
| Educ 257 | The Exceptional Child (U) | |
| Sophomore year, spring or junior year, fall | Educ 260 | Middle School Philosophy (elective; required for middle school endorsement) |
| Junior year, spring | Educ 363 | Curriculum and Pedagogy in the Natural Sciences |
| Educ 365 | Reading, Writing, and Communication in the Content Areas | |
| Senior year, fall * | Educ 490 | Student Teaching Seminar |
| Educ 495 | Student Teaching: Secondary Science | |
| Senior year spring ** | Educ 498 | Educational Inquiry |
*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.
Analysis of Values
| Anthropology 360 | Race, racism, and anthropology |
| Env Studies 100 | Environment and Society |
| Env Studies 262 | Ethical Dilemmas in Environmental Politics |
| Phil 214 | Philosophy of Education |
| Phil 225 | Medical Ethics |
| Phil 302 | Ethics and the Environment |
| Bio/Phil 300 | Biology and Ethics (W) |
| Soc 122 | Social Problems and Values |
Contemporary Social Institutions
| Psci 260 | American Environmental Politics |
| Env Studies/Psci 361 | Globalization and the Environment (G) |
Intellectual Traditions
| Phil 106 | God and Science |
| Phil 107 | Introduction to the Philosophy of Natural Science |
Physical Science Issues
| Phys 239 | Problems of Nuclear Disarmament (G) |
Life Science Issues
| Env Studies /Bio 227 | Environmental Issues |
Cultural and Historical Change
| Env Studies 248 | American Environmental History |
Major Requirements
Specific course requirements are listed in the TEP Handbook (http://www.iwu.edu/edstudies/handbooks/), but students should consult with an advisor in their major department.
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.
Students preparing for teaching careers in physics do so through the University’s approved program in the Physics Department. The physics program is designed so that all students obtain a broad and firm footing in physics, mathematics, and chemistry.
Physics and chemistry courses may meet IWU/ISBE general education requirement in physical science.
Phys 105 Mechanics
Phys 106 Electricity, Magnetism, and Optics
Phys 207 Modern Physics and Thermodynamics
Phys 304 Mathematical Methods of Physics
Phys 399 Experimental Physics
Phys 405 or 406 Theoretical Mechanics or Electricity and Magnetism
Phys 3 electives, chosen in consultation with and by approval of the major advisor
(Physics 310 recommended)
ISBE Core Science Standards requre additional courses, specifically two semester of chemistry (Chem 201 & 202, or 321) and biology (Biol 101, 102 or 107, 108). Coursework in Environmental Science and Geology 101 is also recommended. Consult with your Physics major and Educational Studies advisors as to the best options.
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.