| Coordinator | Overview | Homepage | Resources |
History Teacher Certification Coordinator:
|
|
|
|
|
| Zulauf 701 | (815) 753-6655 | jbowersi@niu.edu | Northern Illinois
University Department of History DeKalb, IL 60115 |
Philosopy
Quality over quantity. Depth over breadth. Thoroughness
over expediency. These preferences serve as hallmarks of
NIU's secondary
teacher certification program in history and the social sciences.
The
program recommends for teaching certificates only those individuals who
demonstrate
both an exemplary understanding of their subject content and a
disposition
to view teaching and learning as a student-centered agenda.
Teacher
candidates are expected to challenge their students to critically
analyze
issues in history and the social sciences, to base their classroom
activities
around a constructivist philosophy, and to view planning as the key to
effective
instruction. The dispositions and skills associated with quality
teaching
are addressed in the 18 semester hours of professional education course
work,
the three pre-student teaching clinicals, and the sixteen-week student
teaching
experience required of all certification candidates.
Degrees/Coursework
Despite the recent emphasis, at both the state and national levels, on
broad
preparation in the "social studies" as opposed to specific preparation
in
one or more social science disciplines, NIU's history/social science
teacher
certification program requires students to earn (or already hold) a
degree
in one of seven disciplines: anthropology, economics, geography,
history,
political science, psychology, or sociology. Since at the 6-12
level
history is the most persistently taught of these subjects, most
students
in the program major in history. Those students who major in one
of
the other six disciplines are required to complete the equivalent of a
history
minor in order to earn teaching endorsements in both United States and
world
history. To meet the new Illinois content standards for social
science
teachers, which go into effect in 2003, all students in the program are
strongly
encouraged to take social science course work beyond their major and
history
minor, focusing most specifically on economics, geography, and
political
science.
Candidate Profile
History and the social sciences have not been identified as critical
needs
areas in terms of the much heralded impending teacher shortage.
Therefore,
the NIU program has made no provisions for alternate or alternative
routes
to certification. The program admits a vast array of candidates,
ranging
from traditional undergraduates to community college transfers to
postgraduates
seeking second degrees to career changers seeking new starts in the
world
of education. Credit can be granted for previously completed
academic
and professional work, but all candidates will have their academic
records
evaluated in relation to the programmatic standards.
* Since the program is competitive and there are limited spaces available in each class, interested individuals should contact the teacher certification office in the Department of History (815/753-5903) at their earliest convenience.
History Teacher Certification Homepage
Click on the screen capture below:
History Teacher Resources
* Click on logos to go to the websites
| Introduction | Disciplines | Clinicals | Student Teaching | Placement Office | Educator Links |
Page last updated: 1/16/04