Admission of Students Seeking Professional Educator Licensure
Admission to a professional education program is a joint decision made by the academic discipline in the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) and the School of Education, Health and Human Behavior (SEHHB). Therefore, as soon as they know they would like to pursue this option, it is essential that students desiring teacher licensure meet with an advisor in the School of Education, Health and Human Behavior student services for information about admission requirements to courses leading to the professional educator licensure. Scheduling these required courses involves early and frequent coordination between the student, CAS advisor, department faculty mentor, and SEHHB advisor. An overall GPA of 2.5 is required for admission to the teacher licensure program. Overall GPAs will be calculated based on all college courses taken at all institutions. All political science courses must be at a grade of 3.0 or higher to student teach. No course with a grade less than a "C" will be applied to meet professional educator licensure requirements.
Students seeking professional educator licensure (PEL) must meet specific general education and professional education requirements, and must pass state and licensure tests prior to admission, during their program, and in order to gain the PEL. State requirements change, and the latest details about these requirements can be found in the SEHHB section of the undergraduate academic catalog or by making an appointment with an SEHHB advisor.
Requirements for Students Seeking Professional Educator Licensure
Students who intend to teach at the secondary level may complete the Bachelor of Science with a major in political science. The major constitutes the teaching field of concentration. Students pursuing this degree also must complete the strong minor in social science education as follows:
- ANTH 111B – Human Culture & Communication
- SOC 111 – Introduction to Sociology
- ECON 111 – Macroeconomics
- ECON 112 – Microeconomics
- GEOG 201 – World Regions
- GEOG 205 – Human Geography
- GEOG 210 – Physical Geography
- HIST 112A – World History
- HIST 112B – World History
- HIST 130A or 130B – History of Black America
- HIST 323 – History/Pedagogy
The following are required of all students including transfer students and those who already have a bachelor’s degree:
- Licensure requires a 2.75 GPA in political science courses, including those completed at past institutions
- Completion of the strong minor in social sciences
- Completion of social sciences/pedagogy before student teaching
Returning students who hold a degree in political science must complete POLS 430, review for teacher licensure.
Sample Curriculum for the Bachelor of Science in Political Science, Professional Educator Licensure
Year 1 (Fall Semester)
(3) ENG 101 English Composition I
(3) ACS 101 Public Speaking
(3) GEOG 201 World Regions (BSS, EGC)
(3) SOC 111 Intro to Sociology (BSS)
(3) POLS 112 Introduction to American National Government and Politics (BSS, EUSC)
(1) FST 101 Succeeding & Engaging at SIUE
16 - Total Credits
Year 1 (Spring Semester)
(3) POLS 111 Intro to Political Science (BSS)
(3) ENG 102 English Composition II
(3) RA 101 Reasoning and Argumentation
(3) Breadth Fine & Performing Arts (BFPA)
(3) GEOG 205 Human Geography (BSS, EL)
(3) GEOG 210 Physical Geography (BPS, EL)
18 - Total Credits
Year 2 (Fall Semester)
(3) QR 101, MATH 150 or Higher
(3) ECON 111 Principles of Macroeconomics (BSS)
(3) Breadth Life Science (BLS)/Health Experience (EH)
(3) ANTH 111B Human Culture & Communication (BSS, EGC, EL)
(3) POLS (Subfield #1)
(3) POLS Elective
18 - Total Credits
Year 2 (Spring Semester)
(3) HIST 130A or HIST 130B History of Black America
(3) HIST 112A World History (BHUM, EGC)
(3) POLS (Subfield #2)
(3) POLS (Subfield #3)
(3) ECON 112 Principles of Microeconomics (BSS)
(3) POLS Elective
18 - Total Credits
Year 3 (Fall Semester)
(1) CIED 302 Field Experience II
(3) POLS 300 Introduction to Political Analysis
(3) CIED 310 Planning for Diverse Learners
(3) IT 300 Digital Learning and Communications (BICS)
(3) CIED 312 Language and Communication
(3) POLS (Subfield #4)
(3) Interdisciplinary Studies (IS)
19 - Total Credits
Year 3 (Spring Semester)
(3) POLS 400 Political Science Senior Assignment
(3) POLS Elective
(3) HIST 112B World History (BHUM, EGC)
(1) CIED 303 Field Experience III
(3) CIED 323 Adolescent Content Literacy
(3) SPE 400 The Exceptional Child
16 - Total Credits
Year 4 (Fall Semester)
(3) CIED 313 Introduction to Assessment
(3) CIED 311 Differentiated Instruction
(3) CIED 314 Learning Environments
(1) CIED 304 Field Experience IV
(3) HIST 323 History/Pedagogy
13 - Total Credits
Year 4 (Spring Semester)
(2) CIED 456 9-12 Seminar
(10) CIED 455J 9-12 Student Teaching-Political Science
12 - Total Credits
Total Hours 130
Transfer Students: To maximize your transfer experience, complete the bold course requirements pre-transfer and satisfy either the Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI) General Ed Core or receive an AA, AS or AAT (early childhood, special ed or math) degree from an IAI community college. If minor requirements are shown, discuss careful course selection with the academic advising contact listed. Visit the transfer credit website to find course equivalency guides.
