Friday, January 9, 2015

GSU’s Offers a Biology Education Certificate



GSU’s Biology graduate programs include a M.S. in Environmental Biology and a Biology Education post-baccalaureate certificate.  The certificate program is designed for those students who already hold an undergraduate degree in Biology and are now interested in pursuing a rewarding career as a teacher at the secondary level.

Over the last six years, the U.S Department of Education has continued to warn about a national shortage of science teachers, including biology teachers. (Source: "Designated Teacher Shortage Areas," Illinois State Board of Education) GSU’s certificate program is one way we are helping to improve the shortage. 

The sequence of course work for the Biology Education certificate is approved by the Illinois State Board of Education and leads to an initial secondary license in Biology.  If interested, you can also obtain an endorsement for teaching at the middle school level. 

To be recommended for an Illinois State Board of Education teaching certificate, you must present evidence of having passed the Test of Academic Proficiency (formerly Basic Skills), Subject Matter Knowledge and Assessment of Professional Teaching examinations of the Illinois Certification Testing System.  In addition you will need to complete a student teaching requirement in biology as well as the other requirements for licensure through approved programs in the Teacher Education and Certification section of the GSU catalog. 

Along with our Biology Education certificate program, we also have programs that prepare future teachers at the middle and high school level in Chemistry Education, English Education and Mathematics Education.  All candidates must have previously completed an undergraduate degree in one of those particular fields and is now seeking to obtain a teaching license.

In a moving quote from Nelson Mandela, the South African anti-apartheid revolutionary, politician and philanthropist, he states, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”   Please see our website for the complete details and requirements regarding GSU’s Biology Education certificate. 

In every college we have outstanding programs and world-class professors; all focused on delivering academic excellence in a small-class setting.  Academic excellence and innovation are natural partners. At Governors State University you’ll find an abundance of both.  We look forward to helping you achieve your educational and career goals.


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