Education
All Teacher Education programs are accredited by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE).
Faculty: Professors Bakken, Hunzicker; Associate Professors Jung, Lukowiak, Rios, Wherfel (chair), Yang; Assistant Professors Iacoponi, Lee, Nusser, Waychunas.
The Education Department values diversity, multicultural and multilingual perspectives, and an inquiry mindset when approaching the preparation of teachers and educational leaders. The mission of the Education Department at Bradley University is to prepare excellent teachers and educational leaders who are ready to educate and advocate for ALL students and families. We accomplish this through providing a multitude of diverse and personalized placements, comprehensive programs, and hands-on experiences that prepare students to be successful professionals upon graduation.
The Education Department offers programs leading to a bachelor’s degree and to an Illinois State Professional Educator License (PEL). Bachelor’s programs involve a wide range of teaching options including PreK-12 Art Education, Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, PreK-12 Music Education (Instrumental, Piano, or Vocal concentration), Middle Grades Education, High School Education (Biology, Chemistry, English, and History and Social Studies concentration), Special Education, and Spanish Education.
In addition to receiving your PEL, we offer multiple endorsement (certification) options such as, English as a Second Language (ESL), Multilingual learner, special education, early childhood, elementary and middle grades endorsements. These additional endorsements can be easily embedded into your degree program without adding additional semesters or summer school. The education department also offers a non-teacher license program, Education Studies and Education Studies minor. These programs are designed for students who want to work with children and adolescents or in educational spaces, but whose goal is not to become a certified classroom teacher.
Although the programs in the education department are designed to meet State of Illinois teacher licensure requirements, graduates will find that they are eligible for licensure in a variety of states. Currently, 52 states and jurisdictions have signed the Interstate Licensure Agreement with Illinois and will issue a comparable entry-level license for all teacher education degrees completed at Bradley University. Candidates must consult with the licensure officer for details. All programs are approved and accredited by the Illinois State Board of Education.
Admission Requirements and Program Completion
Candidates who enter the University in the AEP program or another major may change their major to any of the education programs only if their overall grade point average is a 2.50 or above. In addition, all education major must maintain an overall grade point average of 2.5. A grade of C or better in required for all education and content area coursework.
Student Teaching
Student teaching is an important culminating experience for each education program. It is the policy of the department that all student teaching placements be within a 25 mile radius of Bradley University. Candidates with questions about student teaching should see the Director of Clinical and Field Experiences. Student teaching must be taken for a pass/fail grade. All other field experience courses and seminars must be taken for a letter grade.
Degree and Licensure Requirements
Programs and class schedules are to be planned each semester in consultation with the student’s academic advisor. While a student ordinarily may graduate and be licensed under the University catalog requirements, the Illinois State Teacher Licensure Board may mandate changes in standards of approved teacher education programs. This may require candidates to modify or add to their original degree programs in order to be eligible for licensure upon completion of graduation requirements. As in any good program, revisions are being made continually; candidates should consult their education advisor about current program requirements. Although candidates are assigned an academic advisor, the ultimate responsibility for meeting the program requirements for graduation is that of the candidate. Candidates are responsible for their program. A minimum of 120 hours is needed for graduation.
Illinois Licensure Content Test(s) Required
Students may receive their diploma, but each teacher candidate must pass all applicable licensure test(s) for their major prior to licensure. As with other requirements, the number and type of tests required are subject to changes implemented by the state legislature and/or the Illinois State Board of Education at any time prior to licensure.
English as a Second Language Endorsement
For those candidates who are interested in pursuing the English as a Second Language endorsement, which would enable the graduate to teach and work with English Language Learners, the following courses are required with a mandated minimum of 100 field experience clock hours in an ESL classroom. There is no required content test for this endorsement. If you are interested in adding this endorsement please discuss with your academic advisor.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| EDU 234 | Language Development | 3.0 |
| EDU 235 | Methods of Teaching English Language Learners | 3.0 |
| EDU 236 | Assessment of English Language Learners | 3.0 |
| EDU 237 | Practicum for Teaching English Learners I | 1.0 |
| EDU 240 | Practicum for Teaching English Learners Part 2 | 2.0 |
| EDU 280 | Exploring Diversity: Learners, Families, And Communities | 3.0 |
| ENG 311 | Introduction to Language | 3.0 |
| or ENG 312 | Grammar for Teaching | |
Multilingual Learner Endorsement
For those candidates who are interested in pursuing the Multilingual Learner endorsement, which would enable the graduate to teach and work in multilingual classrooms. Those interested in this endorsement need to complete the ESL endorsement, pass EDU 241 and successfully pass the language proficiency content test. If you are interested in adding this endorsement, please contact Dr. Rios.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| EDU 234 | Language Development | 3.0 |
| EDU 235 | Methods of Teaching English Language Learners | 3.0 |
| EDU 236 | Assessment of English Language Learners | 3.0 |
| EDU 237 | Practicum for Teaching English Learners I | 1.0 |
| EDU 240 | Practicum for Teaching English Learners Part 2 | 2.0 |
| EDU 241 | Methods of Teaching Bilingual/Multilingual Learners | 3.0 |
| EDU 280 | Exploring Diversity: Learners, Families, And Communities | 3.0 |
| ENG 311 | Introduction to Language | 3.0 |
| or ENG 312 | Grammar for Teaching | |
Special Education Endorsement
For those candidates interested in the Special Education endorsement, which would enable you to teach and work with students with high and low-incidence disabilities, the following courses are required and successfully pass the Learning Behavior Specialist 1 Content Test #290. If you are interested in adding this endorsement please discuss with your academic advisor.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| EDU 230 | Adapting Curriculum to Support Inclusive Environments | 3.0 |
| or EDU 232 | Meeting the Needs of All Students within the Disciplines | |
| EDU 391 | Characteristics and Methods for Learners with Developmental Disabilities | 3.0 |
| EDU 393 | Characteristics and Methods for Learners with Emotional and Learning Disabilities | 3.0 |
| EDU 426 | Assessments for Learners with Exceptionalities | 3.0 |