Masters Plus Teaching Certification Degree

If you are not a certified teacher and want to pursue teacher certification and a Masters degree, we invite you to apply to our Masters plus Teaching Certification program. We offer Masters plus Certification in:

• Early Childhood Education (birth through Grade 3)
• Elementary Education (Grades K-9)
• Secondary Education (Grades 6-12)

Students in the Masters Plus Teaching Certification Program follow the same sequence of professional education courses as undergraduate students, in addition to completing the courses required for a Masters in Education (EdM) degree.

Early Childhood Education

This program prepares teachers for preschool, kindergarten, and the early primary grades (one through three) of the elementary school. Graduates of the program qualify for the early childhood certificate with early childhood special education approval. Illinois law and Council on Teacher Education policy require that all candidates for admission to a teacher preparation program pass the Illinois Certification Testing System test of Basic Skills prior to admission.

In order to complete the requirements for Early Childhood certification as well as for the Ed.M. degree, candidates can expect to spend at least two full years.

Elementary Education

This program prepares teachers for grades kindergarten through nine. Illinois law and Council on Teacher Education policy require that all candidates for admission to a teacher preparation program pass the Illinois Certification Testing System test for Basic Skills prior to admission. The final and only deadline to apply for this program is December 1, to start in the fall term of the following year.  

In order to complete the requirements for Elementary certification as well as for the Ed.M. degree, candidates can expect to spend at least two full years.

If you are interested in finding out more about the Early Childhood or Elementary Masters plus Teaching Certification programs, please contact:

Nancy MacGregor

Masters + Teaching Certification Advisor

Department of Curriculum and Instruction

217-333-3852

gmac@illinois.edu

Secondary Education

You can become certified to teach in either Science, Mathematics, Social Studies, or English at the middle school and high school levels. You must have appropriate content knowledge in the area in which you wish to become certified. Illinois law and Council on Teacher Education policy require that all candidates for admission to a teacher preparation program pass the Illinois Certification Testing System test of Basic Skills prior to admission and pass the appropriate content area test. The final and only deadline to apply for this program is December 1, to start in the fall term of the following year.

In order to complete the requirements for Secondary certification as well as for the Ed.M. degree, candidates can expect to spend at least two full years.

If you are interested in finding out more about the Secondary Masters plus Teaching Certification program, please contact:

Myranda Lyons

Graduate Programs Secretary

Department of Curriculum and Instruction

217-244-3391

mjlyons@illinois.edu

Interested in Applying?

The deadline to apply for the Masters Plus Teaching Certification Programs is December 1. This is the final, only, and firm deadline for the program.  Please have all application materials turned in by this date.  The programs begin the following fall term.

For more information on applying to the Masters Plus Teaching Certification Programs, please see our application page for more information.