Physics Teacher Education

On-line Student Advisement

Last updated 9/07/2012

WARNING: Reading the information contained in this web page is NOT an adequate substitute for a formal advisement meeting with the Physics Teaching program coordinator.

PLEASE NOTE: The following information constitutes advice only. It does not officially outline or detail graduation/certification requirements. For complete details see the Undergraduate Catalog for your catalog year. (Course Registration information can be obtained through http://www.registrar.ilstu.edu/crd/registrationinfo.shtml and the Undergraduate Catalog can be obtained in electronic form from http://www.ilstu.edu/home/catalog/undergraduate/.)

WARNING: If at any time you have unanswered questions or you feel the information presented here is not up to date (a very real possibility considering the large number of ongoing changes in teacher certification requirements), don't hesitate to contact the Physics Teacher Education coordinator, Ken Wester, for clarification. The Undergraduate Catalog for the student's catalog year is authoritative.

Freshman to Senior Year Student Advising Syllabus (August 2011)

Transfer Student Advising Syllabus (August 2011)

Advisement Index

ACT/SAT in lieu of Test of Academic Proficiency (TAP) (Posted 9/7/12)

*Criminal Background Check Requirement (Posted 8/19/11)

* Student Teaching Gateway 2 Deadlines (Posted 4/22/09)

* Plans of Study for Various Calendar Years (Posted 7/23/2012)

* Gateway Requirements / PBA Implementation Grid (Posted 7/23/2012)

* Gateway/Graduation Requirements Checklist (Posted 7/23/2012)

* Loan Forgiveness for Science Teachers (Posted 3/04/08)

* Additional Designations (Posted 9/21/11)

* Bloodborne Pathogens Requirement (Posted 4/17/07)

* Scholarships, Awards, Internships for PTE Majors - A Comprehensive Listing (Update 11/30/06)

* Second Bachelor's Degree and the Knowles Scholarship (Posted 11/05/06)

* Check Articulation for Community College Courses (Posted 11/03/06)

* Cecilia J. Lauby Teacher Education Center (Posted 11/03/06)

* Progress Toward Completing PBA Requirements using SIAS (Posted 11/03/06)

* Foreign Language Requirement and Placement Tests (Posted 10/30/06)

* Prerequisites for C&I 212, 214, and 216 (Posted 9/26/06)

* Alignment of C&I Courses with Assessment of Professional Teaching (APT) Test (Posted 9/13/06)

* Guide to Requirements for Certification, Endorsement and Assignment of Teachers, School Service Personnel, and Administrators - July 2005 (Posted 2/11/06)

* Detailed Information about the Science Content Test (Posted 12/28/05)

* Teacher Education Orientation (Posted 10/27/05)

* New Transfer Policies (Posted 9/08/05)

* Golden Apple Scholarships for prospective teachers who are graduating high school seniors and college sophomores. (Posted 8/04/05)

* Institutional Gateway Checklist for Teacher Education (Posted 1/06/05)

* Advice for New University Students (Posted 9/02/04)

* New Policy on TB Tests and Criminal Background Checks (Posted 9/02/04)

* Advice for New University Students (Posted 8/30/04)

* New Policy on CLEP Tests (Posted 3/05/03; see immediately below)

* Illinois General Assembly Scholarships (Posted 4/06/04)

* Carpe Diem Foundation of Illinois Scholarships (Posted 4/06/04)

* DeBolt Teacher Shortage Grant Renamed (Posted 1/17/03)

* ICTS Web Site (Posted 10/03/02)

* Upcoming Changes in Certification Law (Posted 3/14/02)

* Repeating Courses: Changes in Policy (Posted 5/06/02)

	* Declaration of Teaching Major	* Selection of Course Work
	* Meeting with Physics Education Coordinator	* Plan of Study
	* Admission to Teacher Education/Professional Studies	* Academic Progress
	* Enhanced Basic Skills Test	* Transfer Students
	* Criminal Offenses & Teacher Certification	* Second Degree Students
	* Prerequisites for C & I Education Courses
	* Overrides for C & I 214/215/216	* Certification Testing
	* Prerequisites for Physics Courses	* Physics Methods Courses
	* Graduation & Certification Requirements	* Clinical Experiences and CECP
	* Teacher Certification and Endorsements	* Student Teaching
	* Application for Graduation	* Proficiency Credit
	* Requesting Teacher Certification	* Additional Endorsements
	* Substitutions/waivers	* Carrying Academic Minors (updated 3/03/08)
	* P.T.E. Bulletin Board	* Physics Teaching Course Requirements
	* Course Loads and Enrollment Status	* Sample Physics Teaching Sequences
	* Grades	* University Studies/ISU General Education
	* New General Education Program ('98-'99)	* Non-western Course Requirement
	* Illinois Teaching Certificates
	* Graduating with Dept./Univ. Honors	* Financial Assistance/Grants/Awards

Student Teaching Gateway 2 Deadlines (4/21/09)

The Council for Teacher Education voted to approve the following student teaching deadlines at their meeting on April 21, 2009:
 
All teacher candidates must meet all Admission to Student Teaching, Gateway 2, requirements by July 15 if they are to student teach in the fall semester.
All teacher candidates must meet all Admission to Student Teaching, Gateway 2, requirement by December 15 if they are to student teach in the spring semester.
 
These are firm dates, and there will be no exceptions.  This will go into effect for the student teachers expecting to student teach this fall (autumn 2009). The CECP student teaching coordinators will be sharing a “deficiency” list with each teacher education program coordinator that will show PBA requirements their fall student teaching candidates have not met at this time in the very near future.  Program coordinators and advisors may also check each individual student’s status on the EDDM screen on the mainframe.
 
Lynn Steffen
Assistant Director of Certification and Data

Return to Advisement Manual Index

Loan Forgiveness for Science Teachers (3/04/2008)

The Higher Education Reconciliation Act of 2005 ("HERA") makes permanent certain teacher loan forgiveness provisions included in the Taxpayer-Teacher Protection Act of 2004, which President Bush signed on October 30, 2004. The HERA authorizes up to $17,500 in student loan forgiveness for certain full-time secondary school teachers of mathematics or science who meet the "highly qualified" teacher definition under the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB). (See the enclosed application for a definition of a "highly qualified" teacher.) The HERA also authorizes up to $17,500 in student loan forgiveness for certain highly qualified full-time elementary and secondary school special education teachers whose primary responsibility is to provide special education to children with disabilities (as those terms are defined in Section 602 of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act). To qualify, a special education teacher must be teaching children with disabilities that correspond to the teacher’s special education training and must have demonstrated knowledge and teaching skills in the content areas of the elementary or secondary school curriculum in which he or she is teaching. See the above link for HERA for details.

Additional Designations (12/10/13)

Here is the necessary information about adding second teaching field endorsements (designations) at the time of entitlement (graduation).  Science fields (physics, chemistry, biology, earth & space science, environmental science) always require 32 hours with a minimum of 12 hours in the designated area, some portion of the coursework completed in two additional designations (life science required) and passage of the content test.  Of the 32 semester hours of science, only 1 course can be a science methods course.

If science education majors wish to pick up an additional endorsement in math, they must complete 24 hours of coursework in math (lowest level counting is MAT 145, 12 hours must be 200+ level courses) and pass the content test. As above, students must complete additional designation tests prior to graduation for the designation to be noted on transcripts and teaching certificates. Suggested courses include MAT 175, 260, 211, or 250.

For those receiving middle level endorsements, the rule is passage of TCH 233 and PSY 302 plus.  Middle level endorsements do not require a content test except for Reading Teacher.  Any student receiving a Reading Teacher endorsement must pass the additional content test.
 

Return to Advisement Manual Index

Carrying Academic Minors (3/03/08)

Science education majors may choose to carry science education minors, though this is not required. Science education minors, by completing requirements for the major, are already permitted to teach biology, chemistry, physics, earth & space science, and environmental science at the introductory level. Minors do not automatically provide for additional designations (see above) if one is not already a science teaching major in one of the five disciplines. It is not possible to earn a physics teaching endorsement separate from the science teaching certificate; Illinois only confers the science teaching certificate with designations.

Non-science education majors cannot earn a science teaching certificate by merely carrying a science education minor. The science certificate requires broad field preparation of 32 hours minimum, with course work in not less than three different areas of science and 12 hours in one particular area. In addition, the content area test must also be passed. Education majors in other fields (say Math) might want to consider carrying a double major.

Return to Advisement Manual Index

Bloodborne Pathogens Requirement (4/17/07)

In the Fall of 2006 the Council for Teacher Education voted to require that all teacher education candidates complete safety training related to bloodborne pathogens as an Admission to Professional Studies requirement. In order to successfully complete this requirement, teacher education candidates are first expected to view the following training video and/or read the video transcript. Once this is completed the teacher education candidate is expected to successfully pass a ten question quiz on bloodborne pathogens with a 100 percent score.

Teacher education candidates may read the directions, and link to the video, transcript, and quiz at the following web site:  <http://www.coe.ilstu.edu/teacheredcenter/cecp/teacher_ed_reqs/bloodbornepathogens/index.shtml>

Teacher education candidates that already have Admission to Professional Studies have had the requirement waived.  This does not preclude instructors or programs from requiring this training prior to students doing clinicals or student teaching in PreK-12 schools.

To check your Professional Studies status:

Logon to iCampus and enter "My Info". Check your current status by examining the content of the following two links:

• Progress Toward My Degree (from which you can generate an academic progress report for use during your advisement meetings), and
• Teacher Education PBA Requirements (which tells you where you stand relative to the four sets Professional Studies gateways).

Return to Advisement Manual Index

Gateway Requirements/PBA Implementation Grid (effective August 2011)

See how Professional Studies' institutional gateway requirements are met by downloading the Gateway Requirements / PBA Implementation Grid.

(Last updated 8/19/11).

Return to Advisement Manual Index

Foreign Language Requirement and Placement Tests

Students need not be fluent in order to take language 115/116 courses.  If a student were fluent, why should s/he even take a 100-level course?  Nonetheless, these courses tend to be "full immersion" courses; that is, the instructor speaks only in the target language.  This can be (and is) frustrating, but it is proven to be a successful way to learn a language.  Most students should expect not to understand a lot to begin with.  As the semester progresses, they should understand more and more.

If students do not know what level they should place themselves is not the old "2 years of HS - take FOR 112, 3 years of HS - take FOR 115", etc. Instead, students should take an online self placement test according to the above rule (2 years of HS, ok, take the 112 online self-placement test and see the score to decide level).  Many students have different educational backgrounds in HS language, thus 2 years at one high school might have been rigorous in grammar while 4 years in another high school might have been more about culture and less about grammar.  

Here is the link to the FOR online self-placement test: <http://www.llc.ilstu.edu/undergrad/placement_test.htm>

Pre-requisites for C&I 212, 214 & 216

C&I 212 Issues in Secondary Education

If you have not met the following pre-requisites, please contact your departmental advisor.

• “C” or better in COM 110
• “C” or better in ENG 101
• Declared Education Major
• 2.5 GPA or higher

C&I 214 Reading in the Content Areas of Secondary Education and

C&I 216 Instructional and Evaluative Methods in Secondary Education

If you have not met the following pre-requisites, please contact your departmental advisor:

• “C” or better in PSY 215 (C&I 210 if K-12)
• “C” or better in C&I 212 or C&I 215
• Declared Education Major
• 2.5 GPA or higher
• Admission to Professional Studies (you can check your Admission to Professional Studies on SIAS.  Instructions can be found at www.coe.ilstu.edu/teacheredcenter/cecp. If you are not admitted, check with your departmental advisor.)

There will be a combo of C&I 214/216 for the Spring of 2007.  The course number is C&I 289.75 and is 6 credit hours.  Students will still need to register for a lab (pre-requisite are the same as for C&I 214 and 216).

Return to Advisement Manual Index

Teacher Education Orientation

As an education major in catalog year 05-06 and later, you are REQUIRED to attend a Teacher Education Orientation session to learn the steps and procedures for completing the Performance Based Assessment requirements.

The Council for Teacher Education adopted the PBA system to ensure that all teacher candidates possesses the knowledge, skills and dispositions required for successful teaching careers.

YOU MUST:

• Select an orientation session. For a schedule, go to http://www.coe.ilstu.edu/eRegistration and select Teacher Education Orientation.
• Register for an orientation session session through the above web site.
• Attend a session within your first semester at ISU.

If you are currently an upper classman, and know all about such things as LiveText, Instructional Technology Passport System, and all the other gateway requirements, then you probably have had the requirement waived. If you are a freshman or an transfer student, you'll almost certainly have this requirement as part of your "Admission to Professional Studies" gateway. If uncertain, contact me and I'll check for you.

Return to Main Menu

New Transfer Policies

TRANSFER ADMISSION STANDARDS:
Highest admission priority will be granted to transfer students with the strongest academic records. Of those transfer students admitted for the 2004-2005 academic year, the average grade point average was just above a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. For admission consideration, all transfer students must present official transcripts from all colleges attended and must provide verification of good academic standing at the last school attended.  

New Credit Hour Admission Procedure, Effective Summer/Fall 2006:
Transfer students with 24 or more or more completed semester hours at the time of application must submit college transcripts.  Transfer students with fewer than 24 completed semester hours at the time of application are required to submit college transcripts, high schools transcripts, and ACT or SAT test scores. In addition, non-credit course work will not be considered when calculating the number of hours earned.

Calculation of Admission Grade Point Average: 
Illinois State generally uses all grades shown on all college transcripts to determine an admission grade point average. However, for repeated courses, only the last grade for the same course will be used in calculating the grade point average for admission. In addition, non-credit course grades will not be used for admission purposes.

Return to Advisement Manual Index

Advice for New University Students:

See Carl Wenning's Advice for Physics Teacher Education Majors.

Return to Advisement Manual Index

TB Tests and Criminal Background Checks:

After September 3, 2004, a TB test and a Criminal Background Check will no longer be required for Admission to Professional Studies. Successfully passing the TB test and Criminal Background Check will only be required for Admission to Student Teaching. This means that teacher candidates will need one TB test and one Criminal Background Check the semester before student teaching begins. Criminal background checks and TB tests must not "expire" during student teaching. Both are good for one year from the point of the check. If you have any questions, stop in at the Teacher Education Center, DeGarmo Hall Room 56, or phone at (309) 438-5416.

Return to Advisement Manual Index

CLEP Testing - FOR STUDENTS WHO HAVE TAKEN THE CLEP GENERAL EXAMINATIONS JULY 1, 2001, OR AFTER.

A student will be awarded 6 semester hours credit toward graduation and General Education requirements for a score of 56 on the Humanities, a score of 65 on the Natural Sciences, and a score of 56 on the Social Sciences and History general examinations passed.

Credit will be awarded as follows:

Humanities
3 hours Fine Arts (Outer Core)
and 3 hours Language in the Humanities (Middle Core)

Natural Sciences *
3 hours Biological Sciences (Inner Core)
and 3 hours Physical Sciences (Inner Core)

Social Sciences and History
3 hours Individuals and Society (Middle Core)
and 3 hours U. S. Traditions (Middle Core)

* If CLEP credit is received in both Biological and Physical Sciences, the General Education lab requirement will be waived.

NOTE: Credit is not available for the English Composition or Mathematics General Examination.

Return to Advisement Manual Index

Repeating Courses: Changes in Policy

The University's current repeat policy permits a student to repeat a course only once, and both grades are used in computing the GPA. Under the change in policy, the first grade will continue to be posted on the transcript, but only the second grade will be used in computing the GPA. 

As with all changes of this type, there is a significant number of changes that must be made in university computer systems to change the way in which the GPA is calculated. The change will become effective with the publication of the 2003-2004 catalog (i. e., Summer, 2003). Because of how the the program is structured, the change will apply to all students who repeat a class after the effective date of that catalog, whether they are under that catalog or not. Hence, if a student repeats a class in the Fall of 2003 that they originally took in the spring of 2001, as an example), then only the second grade will be used in computing their GPA, not the grade from 2001. 

Courses repeated prior to Summer of 2003 will follow the current policy.

(Posted 5/06/02)

Return to Advisement Manual Index

Recent Changes in Teacher Education Requirements

The relevant information for you is.......

1. Teacher candidates who will be student teaching beginning with Spring 2003 and beyond will be required to pass the state content area test prior to student teaching.
2. After 5/15/02 the Speech Check will no longer be required for Admission to Professional Studies (formerly Admission to Teacher Education). You may continue to refer students to the Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology.
3. Beginning in the fall of 02, students will be required to pass a criminal background check for Admission to Professional Studies and another criminal background check for Admission to Student Teaching. Each background check will be $12.
4. Beginning in the fall of 02, students will need to submit the form entitled "Assessment of Legal and Ethical Conduct." for Admission to Professional Studies.
5. Also, beginning in the fall of 02, students will need to present proof of a negative TB test for Admission to Professional Studies and then annually thereafter. (Students may acquire a free TB test at the McLean County Department of Health. $5 if taken at the Health Center on campus.)
6. Also, beginning in the fall of 02, students will need to pass numbers 1-4 in the Technology Passport System for Admission to Professional Studies. Assessments for 1-4 will be taken care of in the students first year inner core coursework.
7. Last, but not least, in the spring of 03, students will need to hand in the sheet entitled "Documentation of Experiences with Youth" for Admission to Professional Studies.
8. The Council for Teacher Education has approved a motion to drop the use of the PPST for Admission to Teacher Education at Illinois State University and begin the use of the State of Illinois Enhanced Basic Skills Test. This action will save students the cost of the PPST and save a step later as the State moves to implement the enhanced basic skills test for certification. The council has determined that the date of activation for this new requirement will be May 15th, 2002, or essentially, the end of the spring semester. For any teacher candidate needing to complete Admission to Teacher Education prior to the end of this spring semester, that individual should continue plans to take the PPST for Admission to Teacher Education purposes.

Be certain to visit the "Teaching Redbirds" web page maintained by the Teacher Education office (Clinical Experiences and Certification Processes, CECP) for the most up-to-date information. With lots of changes taking place, it is imperative that you do so regularly.

Return to Advisement Manual Index

Illinois Teaching Certificates

When a Physics Teacher Education major completes the required program of student, he or she will receive an "initial" teaching certificate in SCIENCE with a designation in PHYSICS. This means that the teacher is allowed by Illinois teacher certification law to teach ANY science at the introductory level (e.g., courses in biology, chemistry, earth & space science, and environmental science for which there are no prerequisite courses), and PHYSICS at all levels - including AP.

The Illinois secondary teaching certificate has reciprocity within a group of 38 INTASC member states. It can be "updated" to include other states as well be completing a minimum amount of testing and/or course work in that state.

CAUTION: While teacher certification is valid in the 38 INTASC member states, the science designation will not allow graduates to teach all science subjects in all states. While an ISU graduate would be permitted to teach biology in Illinois, (s)he would not likely be permitted to teach biology in another state. For instance, the state of Arizona requires 18 semester hours of biology course work to teach biology; hence, and ISU graduate with a science designation would not be permitted to teach biology in Arizona.

The certificate is valid for teaching grades 9-12 only. Students wishing to teach at middle school must earn a middle school endorsement which can be done by completing PSY 302 - Adolescent Psychology and C&I 233 - Middle Level Education and the Young Adolescent.

Visit the Illinois State Board of Education web site at http://www.isbe.net/certification/default.htm for full details about the Illinois teacher certification law and requirements.

(Updated August 27, 2009)

Return to Advisement Manual Index

Non-western/Global Studies Course Requirement - WARNING: MORE COURSES ARE NOW AVAILABLE. CONSULT TO UNDERGRADUATE CATALOG.

ILLINOIS TEACHER CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENT
IN NON-WESTERN OR THIRD-WORLD CULTURES

To obtain a certificate to teach in Illinois public elementary and secondary schools, students must complete, as part of their general education program, at least one three semester credit course in "non-Western or Third-World cultures" in either the Humanities/Fine Arts or the Social/Behavioral Sciences. The Slate Teacher Certification Board has defined "non-Western and Third-World cultures" as: 'The study of social, political and cultural development in Third World cultures. Coursework includes the study of the people and cultures of Asia, Africa, and Central and South America." This requirement includes coursework comprising the study of American descendants of persons from these listed regions and Native Americans, their various cultural heritages and their influence on the development of the United States.

Completion of any of the following courses in the General Education Core Curriculum will fulfill this requirement. Individual colleges and universities may also offer other acceptable courses. The letters and numbers preceding each course listing are not course numbers -- they are merely IAI codes. See your advisor for assistance in selecting specific course work.

Humanities and Fine Arts Courses

History.

H2 903N: NON-WESTERN CIVILIZATIONS (3 credits)

Literature:

H3 908N: NON-WESTERN LITERATURE IN TRANSLATION (3 credits)

H3 910D: AMERICAN ETHNIC LITERATURE (3 credits)

Philosophy:

H4 903N: NON-WESTERN PHILOSOPHY (3 credits)

Religious Studies:

H5 904N: COMPARATIVE RELIGIONS (3 credits) [If majority non-Western]

Performing Arts:

F1 903N: NON-WESTERN MUSIC (3 credits)

F1 905D: ETHNIC TRADITIONS IN AMERICAN MUSIC (3 credits)

F1 906D: ETHNIC TRADITIONS IN AMERICAN THEATER (3 credits)

Visual Arts:

F2 903N: NON-WESTERN ART (3 credits)

F2 906D: ETHNIC TRADITIONS IN AMERICAN ART (3 credits)

Interdisciplinary Humanities/Fine Arts:

HF 904N: NON-WESTERN HUMANITIES (3 credits)

Social and Behavioral Science

History:

S2 904N, 905N: HISTORY OF THE NON-WESTERN WORLD I, II (3 credits each)

S2 906N, 907N: HISTORY OF AFRICA I, II (3 credits each)

S2 908N, 909N: HISTORY OF ASIA AND THE PACIFIC I, II (3 credits each)

S2 910N, 911N: HISTORY OF LATIN AMERICA I, II (3 credits each)

S2 914N, 915N: HISTORY OF CHINA 1, 11 (3 credits each)

S2 916N, 917N: HISTORY OF SOUTH ASIA I, II (3 credits each)

S2 918N, 919N: HISTORY OF THE MIDDLE EAST I, II (3 credits each)

Human Geography:

S4 902N: GEOGRAPHY OF THE DEVELOPING (OR NON-WESTERN) WORLD (3 credits)

Political Science:

S5 906N: NON-WESTERN COMPARATIVE GOVERNMENT (3 credits)

Return to Advisement Manual Index

Declaration of Teaching Major:

Declaration of the Physics Teacher Education (PTE) major is made either during the university enrollment process or during a subsequent appointment with the PTE program coordinator. Following this declaration of intent, the coordinator will direct Physics Department office staff to complete the necessary computer work for the student to become a officially declared PTE major.

Return to Advisement Manual Index

Meeting with Physics Teaching Coordinator:

Officially declared PTE majors will be assigned a PTE advisor following the completion of 30 semester hours. It is essential that declared PTE majors meet with their advisor each semester prior to registration. Undeclared majors with less than 30 hours are both invited and encouraged to meet with the PTE advisor. The PTE program coordinator is Kenneth Wester.

Return to Advisement Manual Index

Admission to Teacher Education/Professional Studies:

See the following PDF for information about institutional gateways. Gateway Information.

(Last updated 7/23/2012)

Return to Advisement Manual Index

Enhanced Basic Skills Test

Visit this site (http://www.icts.nesinc.com) to learn all you need to know about the required Enhance Basic Skills Test. You may also visit the Illinois State Board of Education Web site at www.isbe.net/teachers.htm to learn more. You may also consult your advisor.

(Updated 7/24/2007)

Return to Advisement Manual Index

Criminal Offenses and Teacher Certification:

Contact your CECP Coordinator, Danielle Devin, immediately prior to applying for admission to TED if either of the following circumstances applies:

1. you are not a citizen of the United States and/or
2. you have been convicted of a felony.

The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) School Code states that certain sex and narcotic offenses prohibit certification and school teaching in the state of Illinois.

Please note that several recent changes to the statutes governing school personnel were made in the 1996 legislative session. The section of the School Code which requires school districts to conduct criminal background investigations of employees and the section governing suspension and revocation of certificates were both amended to include convictions for committing attempted first-degree murder, first-degree murder, and a Class X Felony as grounds for denial of employment and revocation of certification.Thes convictions are in addition to the previously listed sex and narcotic convictions which are automatic bars to employment or possession of certification.

If you are uncertain of whether or not convictions for certain crimes might preclude the issuance of a certification in your case, both Bob Bigham and Sue Bentz can assist you with information and advice. They can be reached at (217) 782-2805.

In addition, please note that the suspension and revocation of certificates statute was also amended to add to the definition of unprofessional conduct-- that conduct which violates the standards, ethics or rules applicable to the security, administration, monitoring, or reporting of state assessments.

Return to Advisement Manual Index

Prerequisites for C & I Education Courses:

Please note the following prerequisites for C&I 214, 215, and 216.

a. Prerequisites for C&I 214 and C&I 215

"C" or better in English 101
"C" or better in Communication 110
Cumulative GPA - 2.00 or better
Education Major
(Concurrent registration in C&I 214 and 215 recommended.)

b. Prerequisites for C&I 216

"C" or better in C&I 215
"C" or better in PSY 215
Cumulative GPA - 2.00 or better
Education Major ALL sections of PPST passed (regular or computer-based testing)

Return to Advisement Manual Index

Overrides for C&I 212/214/216:

It is often difficult for students to enroll for C&I 212/214/216 until the semesters immediately prior to student teaching. In many cases, majors often will not be admitted to C&I 216 until the semester immediately prior to student teaching. In any case, you should attempt enrollment earlier. Therefore, you are strongly encouraged to enroll for C&I 212/214/216 as early as possible. You many need an override to get into any or all of these courses due to the limited number of seats in the various sections.

In order to assist you get overrides to enroll in "closed" section of C&I 212/214/216, PTE majors should contact the program advisor to obtain a"Secondary Education Student Request to Override" form. The information the student provides on the form will allow the C&I department to process requests in a timely manner and to serve students with urgent needs for course work consistently. These overrides are normally approved only for the two or three semesters immediately prior to student teaching.

Return to Advisement Manual Index

Prerequisites for Physics Courses

Please note that there are, in some cases, several prerequisites for a given physics course. Note, for instance, that PHY 112 has a math requirement (MAT 147). When preparing academic plans, students should be familiar with all prerequisites and arrange their schedules accordingly.

Transfer students will sometimes find that the spring availability of PHY 217 and the autumn availability of PHY 220 and PHY 240 can make for a difficult autumn semester immediately prior to student teaching if PHY 220, PHY 240, PHY 311, and C&I 216 fall in the same semester. Students contemplating such a difficult semester might want to consider taking PHY 220 earlier without satisfying the prerequisite of PHY 217. Such an approach is feasible so long as students have good math backgrounds, and are willing to spend extra time on the math components of the course to keep up.This has been done successfully before, and good students shouldn't have much difficulty taking this approach. Students taking PHY 220 without the math prerequisite should keep an eye on the last date to drop the course should the math prove too difficult.

Return to Advisement Manual Index

Gateway/Graduation Requirements Checklist

Download the the Gateway/Graduation Requirements Checklist

(Updated 3/25/08)

Return to Advisement Manual Index

Teacher Certification Levels

Teacher certification exists as a three-tier system in Illinois: (a) Initial License, (b) Standard License, and (c) Master Teacher Certificate.

To obtain the Initial License, candidates are required to graduate from an accredited teacher education program at one of the State's universities. An alternative route to secondary teacher certification does exist for those with several years of practical life experiences. This requires that candidates complete a Master's degree.

Teachers who hold the Initial License must progress to the Standard License after three years.

To obtain the Master Teacher Certificate, students must earn National Board (NBPTS) certification.

The Illinois State Board of Education maintains extensive Web-based information relating to teacher certification law. Access information through their extensive Table of Contents.

Plans of Study:

Each student should prepare a Plan of Study in cooperation with the PTE program advisor. The plan will give you a better idea of which courses are to be taken semester-by-semester through graduation. The program advisor will help to make certain that there are no flaws that might result in a delay of graduation. As students make plans for several years of course work, experience has shown that they are prone to making gross errors from time to time, such as scheduling a course during the wrong semester or planning on student teaching during the fall semester when these courses are not available.

Periodically, there are changes in course offerings that are not correctly reflected in even the most current Undergraduate Catalog. At other times students decide to take a course thinking that it will satisfy a requirement only to find out that it does not do so. Such errors can cause delays in graduation if not caught. Therefore, it is imperative that students prepare a Plan of Study in cooperation with PTE program advisor as early in the college career as possible. Deviation from the approved plan of study could imperil timely graduation.

Suggested plans of study for those starting with MAT 144 or MAT 145 are available for download:

• Catalog year 10-12 and before

Suggest

(Updated 7/23/2012)

Return to Advisement Manual Index

Academic Progress:

It is the student's responsibility to make certain that he or she is making appropriate academic progress and to see to it that all certification,university, and departmental requirements will be met by the anticipated time of graduation. This is a serious responsibility. Students should be intimately familiar with all requirements of graduation and certification as stated in the CECP teacher education booklet, University Catalog, and as indicated by the PTE advisor. Students should regularly obtain and thoroughly examine an Academic Progress Summary which can be obtained at no cost through the Student Services & Referral Center in Moulton Hall, room 107. In order to facilitate appropriate academic progress, students should prepare and share with their advisor a semester-by-semester plan of study. If you need assistance with this effort, be certain to see your advisor.

Progress can also be ascertained through the "Progress Woward My Degree" link in iCampus under "My Info."

Return to Advisement Manual Index

Transfer Students (somewhat out of date; do not rely on this information):

Students who transfer to ISU from a qualified post-secondary institution without an Associate's degree may complete ISU's general education program requirements in a number of ways:

1. They may opt to complete ISU's General Education program. In choosing to do so, they will fulfil the requirements.
2. They may opt to complete ISU's General Education program though the iTranfer Gen. Ed. (Illinois Transfer General Education) program. (See iTransfer Web page for details about the Illinois Transfer General Education requirements.) Students who take this route also must satisfy the generally concurrent 47-semester-hour IGE requirement promulgated by the Illinois State Board of Education. According to the Associate Vice President for Instruction and Dean of Undergraduate Studies (in a letter dated June 2, 1998), "Students who transfer into Illinois State University from community colleges or other colleges or universities must continue to meet the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) course-by-course [IGE] requirements as designated in the Administrative Rules and the Illinois Articulation Agreement."

Transfer students who come to ISU without previously attending a qualified post-secondary institution and without an Associate's degree must complete ISU's general education program.

Students who transfer to ISU with more than 30 semester hours of credit need not take ISU's Foundations of Inquiry (IDS 100) course.

Students who satisfy ISU General Education program automatically satisfy the ISBE's IGE requirements.

Transfer students who come to ISU with an Associate's degree at an approved Illinois public community college are admitted with junior standing and with all University Studies requirements completed -- with the possible exception of the "Non-Western" course requirement. After approving a student for admission, the Office of Admissions/Undergraduate Evaluations will send the student a statement specifying how course work is to be applied toward graduation requirements. However, ISBE Teacher education requirements in general education must still be met, and this may cause a delay in graduation for some who matriculate with few suitable general education courses.

Students who have not taken a "Non-Western" or "Global Studies" course as part of their general education program for the Associates Degree, must complete this requirement at Illinois State University as a graduation requirement. See the Undergraduate Catalog for information about completing this requirement.

Application to the ISU Professional Education program (a.k.a. Teacher Education) will not be processed until transfer students have completed 12 graded semester hours at ISU.

Transfer students must meet all departmental, graduation, and ISBE requirements.

There are limits on the number of semester-hour credits (66) that may be transferred from two-year and/or community colleges. Course credit from two-year colleges will not be used for the University requirement of 42 senior college hours regardless of the number earned at that two-year and/or community college. Ninety (90) semester hours may be transferred into ISU from accredited four-year institutions. Please see the "Transfer Students" part of the Undergraduate Catalog for details.

Updated April 6, 2001

Transfer Students: Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI) Program

Essentially all transfer students will be in the IAI program, which substitutes for the ISU Gen Ed program (see www.iTransfer.org or ISU catalog p. 73-75)

Boundary Conditions:

• A maximum of 66 transfer credit hours may be counted toward an ISU degree.
• No more than 2 courses from the same discipline can count toward any IAI category.
• Students must still satisfy the ISU requirement of 42 senior semester hours (courses in the 200-399 range). No community college courses carry senior hours (even if they have numbers above 200).
• ISU residency requirement: students must take 30 of their last 60 hours at ISU Exception: 3-2 Engineering students need only take 30 hours total at ISU, they don't have to be in their last 60.
• Students must still satisfy ISU's Global Studies requirement. Some of the courses that satisfy both IAI credit and ISU Global Studies credit are the following: GEO 135, HIS 103., HIS 125, HIS 127, MS 128. See the course catalog for an updated listing of courses.

For Advisors: The SDPL student records screen will show how ISU Evaluations Office placed their transferred courses: Look for the column labeled 1AF, which tells the IAI category for each transferred course.

STUDENTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR APPROPRIATELY SELECTING COURSES FROM THE ISU GENERAL EDUCATION CURRICULUM TO SATISFY I.A.I. TRANSFER REQUIREMENTS. PLEASE SEE THE ITRANSFER WEB PAGE FOR SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS.

Return to Advisement Manual Index

Second Degree Students (could be out of date - do not rely on this information):

Students entering ISU in pursuit of teacher certification in physics who already hold a Bachelor's Degree need to satisfy the same departmental, graduation, and ISBE certification requirements as other undergraduates. The University does not offer a Master's degree program in physics teaching.

Graduate students from other departments may wish to pick up a physics teaching endorsement while at ISU. This is normally done by satisfying the general requirements of the Physics Department, and the 47-hour general education requirements of the ISBE. Alternate methods for obtaining an endorsement in physics are possible. Please see the physics teaching program coordinator for details about the various routes to certification.

Second degree students need not take the University's Writing Exam.

Second degree students MAY have to take the University's Constitution Exam even if they have transfer credit for POS 105. It will depend upon the institution from which the credit was generated. Credit generated from Heartland Community College as equivalent to ISU's POS 105, and student receiving such transfer credit need not take the Constitution Exam.

Beginning with the 1999-2000 catalog, Second Bachelors are required to meet the Global Studies requirement and the New Bachelor of Science requirement (one additional three-hour natural science, mathematics, statistics or technology course). See the Undergraduate Catalog for details.

Return to Advisement Manual Index

Certification Testing

If you will be graduating after July 1, 2003, please be aware of the fact that you will be required to take three (3) certification examinations that are more extensive that those currently administered. These certification examinations generally are taken late in the college career and are required in order to be certified. The situation is as follows:

• Enhanced Basic Skills Test - must be passed prior to admission to professional studies
• Science Content Examination (Physics Designation) - must be passed prior to admission to student teaching
• Pedagogical Content Knowledge Examination (APT) - normally taken during student teaching

Return to Advisement Manual Index

Illinois Certification Testing System (ICTS) Web Site:

Examinees may now register online for teacher, school service personnel and administrative certification tests; view and download study guides; and, beginning with the December 7, 2002 test administration, access their test results. The site address is: www.icts.nesinc.com/. This site may also be accessed via the Illinois State Board of Education Professional Certification and Testing Division's web page at www.isbe.net/teachers.This new service will provide certification candidates with easy access to teacher certification testing materials and registration activities. (updated 10/03/02)

Return to Advisement Manual Index

Clinical Experiences and CECP:

Before a physics student is qualified to student teach, the student must successfully complete 100+ hours of clinical experience. Clinical experience generally consists of hours spent in observation and interaction in actual school classrooms. The Office of Clinical Experiences and Certification Processes maintains records of these hours.

Twenty-five (25) hours of clinical experiences are completed in PHY 209. Ten (10) hours of clinical experience are obtained in PHY 311. Ten (35?) additional hours are required as part of PHY 353. Clinical experiences in Physics Teacher Education are highly structured. Information about each of these clinical experiences may be found in the respective course syllabi.

The Office of Clinical Experiences and Certification Processes (CECP) maintains an extensive web site filled with all sort of useful information and online forms. That office can be accessed at the following URL: http://www.coe.ilstu.edu/cecp/

Return to Advisement Manual Index

Student Teaching:

A student will be admitted to student teaching only after a number of requirements are met. These requirements are outlined in the current Undergraduate Catalog. Additionally (as noted in section 2.e.), students must have exhibited satisfactory performance during pre-student teaching clinical experiences and satisfied any grade deficiencies prior to admission to student teaching. Application for student teaching is to be made with CECP.

Extent of Student Teaching

New Policy (applicable to student teachers beginning spring 2003):

Teacher Education at Illinois State University is accredited by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) and our national accrediting body, National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). These accrediting agencies require that we have a performance based assessment system in place for our teacher education programs.

At the April 2, 2002, meeting, CTE passed the following motion:

Teacher candidates who will be student teaching beginning with Spring 2003 and beyond will be required to pass the state content area test prior to student teaching.

This will assure that our student teachers, who work directly with children and who must demonstrate positive impact on student achievement, are well prepared in their content areas. Please note that a bill making this a requirement for all teacher education programs is before the legislature right now, and is highly likely to pass in either its present form or a slightly altered form.

CTE will be meeting again this week to consider several other motions for action. Please make sure to continue to click on the "Teaching Redbirds" button at this web site [http://www.coe.ilstu.edu/cecp/] for notification of these new requirements. It is important to be informed as quickly as possible to facilitate the adjustment of your plans to meet these new requirements on time. Thank you for your patience through this time of change!

Click here for more information about student teaching.

Return to Advisement Manual Index

Application for Graduation:

All regular undergraduate students who have completed 88 or more semester hours will, by the end of that semester, receive information about applying for graduation from the Undergraduate Evaluations Office. Your application for a Bachelor's Degree must be on file and the graduation fee paid before a senior evaluation is processed.

Return to Advisement Manual Index

Requesting Teacher Certification:

This information is now fully addressed in PHY 353.

Return to Advisement Manual Index

Substitutions/waivers:

Substitution for certain teaching requirements are possible, and waivers for teaching requirements are some times granted. For instance, those with military experience or who are certified emergency medical technicians (EMT) may have met the ISBE requirement relating to Health and Human Development. Contact your PTE advisor to discuss any concerns you might have regarding substitutions or waivers for course work requirements.

Return to Advisement Manual Index

Course Loads and Enrollment Status:

The normal maximum course load for autumn and spring semester is 17 hours. For summer this is reduced to 11 hours due to the shortened session. If you wish to take more course work than the normal maximum, consult with your advisor about permission for overloads. Permission to carry overload credit can be granted only by the chairperson of the Physics Department.

A full-time undergraduate student carries between 12 and 17 semester hours during spring and autumn semesters. Full-time summer enrollment is proportionately less. Note that PTE majors normally carry only 8 to 9 semester hours during student teaching which is less than full time.

First-term freshmen with ACT composite scores of 19 or less and students on academic probation may not carry more then 14 credits per semester (autumn and spring). Students who work more than 10 hours per week should consider reducing their course load correspondingly.

Return to Advisement Manual Index

Grades:

How important are good grades in the Physics Teacher Education program? In a word, very. The student must achieve and maintain a minimum overall GPA of 2.50 to be eligible for initial and continuing enrollment in the teacher education program. Students with GPAs of less than 2.50 are ineligible for teacher education enrollment and some course work required for student teaching.

In addition to an overall GPA of 2.50, the student must maintain a minimum 2.50 GPA for all course work fulfilling major requirements for student teaching. The major GPA includes physics courses and the Professional Education sequence.

How important are good grades for getting a job? Students who have poor grades are frequently barred from the best teaching sites. Program graduates with poor grades rarely are able to get jobs in the larger school districts where the pay and working conditions are better. Novice teachers with poor grades often have to work in smaller school districts where there is less support, less equipment, less pay, and less of about just everything else. Our best students have been getting top dollar as first year teachers. So, if you want a top-flight job as a beginning teacher, put in the added effort now to earn the best grades possible.

Return to Advisement Manual Index

Proficiency credit:

A limited amount of proficiency credit is applicable toward the 47 hours of course work required by the state for teacher certification. Three hours of proficiency credit IS acceptable in each of the following areas: biological sciences, physical sciences, and history. Proficiency credit is NOT acceptable in the following areas: English and mathematics. Proficiency credit can only fulfill the lecture portion of the Mathematics and Science group (2) requirement.

Return to Advisement Manual Index

Physics Teaching Course Work Requirements (2008-2009):

Description. (Note: See Undergraduate Catalog for other years.)

Students compete the following program of study will be certified to teach science at the high school level with a designation in physics. In addition to these courses,students must satisfy University Studies, University-Wide Teacher Education program requirements, CAS language requirements, Professional Studies Requirements, and the University's graduation requirements.

Required Courses Hours

PHY 107 Frontiers of Physics 2
PHY 110 Physics for Science and Engineering I 4
PHY 111 Physics for Science and Engineering II 4
PHY 112 Physics for Science and Engineering III 4

PHY 205 Origin of the Universe 3
PHY 217 Methods of Theoretical Physics 3
PHY 220 Mechanics I 3
PHY 240 Electricity & Magnetism I 3 OR PHY 284 Quantum Mechanics 3 (requires MAT 175)
PHY 270 Experimental Physics 2
PHY 209 Introduction to Teaching High School Physics 1
PHY 302 Computer Applications in High School Physics 1
PHY 310 Readings for Teaching High School Physics 3
PHY 311 Teaching High School Physics 1
PHY 312 Teaching Physics from the Historical Perspective 3
PHY 353 Student Teaching Seminar 1

CHE 140 General Chemistry I 4
CHE 141 General Chemistry II 4

BSC 101 Concepts in Biology 3
GEO 100 Earth Science Systems 4

COM 110 Fundamentals of Speech 3

MAT 145 Calculus I 4
MAT 146 Calculus II 4
MAT147 Calculus III 4

PSY 110 Explaining Human Behavior 3
PSY 215 Education Psychology 3

ENG 101 Language & Composition I 3

C&I 212 Secondary School Reading 2
C&I 214 Curriculum & Organization 3
C&I 216 Secondary Education 3

STT 399.72 Student Teaching in Physics 8

Additional courses to complete General Education requirement.

Return to Advisement Manual Index

BACCALAUREATE DEGREE DOCUMENT

Approved by University Curriculum Committee, January 27, 1999

Approved by Academic Affairs, February 3, 1999

BACCALAUREATE DEGREE PROGRAMS AT ILLINOIS STATE UNIVERSITY

Undergraduate degrees available at Illinois State University include the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Science in Education, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Bachelor of Fine Arts, Bachelor of Music, and Bachelor of Music Education degrees. When applying for graduation, the student indicates the specific degree which he or she is qualified to receive. Other requirements are specified for each degree below.

A. Statement of Purpose for the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) Degree: The Bachelor of Arts degree provides for the acquisition of written and oral communication skills, creative thinking, abilities in the critical analyses of texts, the understanding of cultures, and a working knowledge of social, political, and historical contexts. The degree is typically pursued by those students whose academic emphasis in their major area of study is directed toward the humanities, arts, and selected areas of the social sciences disciplines.

Statement of Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) Degree: Students pursuing the Bachelor of Arts degree will acquire knowledge of a foreign language as demonstrated by successful completion of FOR 115 (or the equivalent).

B. Statement of Purpose for the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Degree: The Bachelor of Science degree provides for the acquisition of oral and written communication skills and the acquisition of analytical skills for examining and solving problems. The degree is typically pursued by those students whose academic emphasis in their major area of study is directed towards the natural sciences, mathematics, statistics or a technological field.

Statement of Requirements for the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Degree: Students pursuing the Bachelor of Science degree will acquire increased knowledge of the natural sciences, mathematics, statistics, and/or technology as demonstrated by the successful completion of a three-hour course, beyond those required for General Education. The course is to be selected from an approved list of courses from natural sciences, mathematics, statistics, and technology.

C. Statement of Purpose for the Bachelor of Science in Education (B.S.Ed.) Degree: The Bachelor of Science in Education degree encourages acquisition of communication skills, development of analytical skills for examining and solving problems, and the understanding of cultures with special emphasis on application to the art and science of teaching. The degree is typically pursued by those students interested in the teaching profession.

Statement of Requirements for the Bachelor of Science in Education (B.S. in Ed.) Degree: Students pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Education degree will acquire increased knowledge and develop skills related to professional standards established by NCATE through the successful completion of General Education requirements; professional education requirements; approved teacher education major requirements; and general requirements for graduation.

D. Statement of Purpose for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.) Degree: The Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree provides graduates with knowledge and skills in communication, critical thinking for analyzing and solving problems, and an understanding of the societal changes that impact on health care. Courses from the Humanities, Psychology, Physical and Social Sciences, as well as the use of technology, provide a foundation for scientific inquiry and application of nursing knowledge and theories to diverse populations and settings.

Statement of Requirements for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.) Degree: General Education requirements; general requirements for graduation; and nursing field of study requirements.

E. Statement of Purpose for the Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) Degree: The Bachelor of Fine Arts degree encourages the acquisition and display of talent in the theatre and art arenas, with special emphasis on aesthetic performance and understanding. The degree is typically pursued by individuals interested in the creative and fine arts.

Statement of Requirements for the Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) Degree: General Education requirements; general requirements for graduation; and Art or Theatre field of study requirements for B.F.A. degree.

F. Statement of Purpose for the Bachelor of Music (B.M.) Degree: The Bachelor of Music degree encourages the acquisition and display of talent in music, with special emphasis on aesthetic performance and understanding. This degree is typically pursued by individuals interested in music performance.

Statement of Requirements for the Bachelor of Music (B.M.) Degree: General Education requirements; general requirements for graduation; and music field of study requirements for B.M. degree.

G. Statement of Purpose for the Bachelor of Music Education (B.M.E.) Degree: The Bachelor of Music Education degree encourages the acquisition and display of talent in music, with the special emphasis on teaching music. This degree is typically pursued by individuals interested in teaching music.

Statement of Requirements for the Bachelor of Music Education (B.M.E.) Degree: General Education requirements; general requirements for graduation; music field of study requirements for B.M.E. degree; and professional education requirements.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR GRADUATION

The following graduation requirements apply to all students. Meeting graduation requirements is the individual responsibility of each student. The student and adviser should check the student's program of courses frequently to assure that the student is fulfilling the following graduation requirements (all references to hours are to semester credit hours.)

A. Total Hours: The actual hour requirement for an undergraduate degree varies by the program or combination of programs that a student elects. A student must have a minimum of 120 hours of credit acceptable toward graduation. Some courses may not count toward graduation. These restrictions are noted in the course descriptions. Some curricula or combinations of fields require additional hours. If all specified requirements are completed with fewer than 120 hours, a student must elect sufficient course work to total at least 120.

B. Specific B.A./B.S. Requirements: There are a variety of baccalaureate degrees. Students graduating from B.A. or B.S. degree programs must meet specific requirements beyond major and graduation requirements. Students pursuing the B.A. degree will acquire knowledge of a foreign language as demonstrated by successful completion of FOR 115 (or equivalent). Students pursuing the B.S. degree will complete one, three-hour natural science, mathematics, statistics, or technology course.

C. General Education: There are three ways to complete General Education requirements at Illinois State University. The first way is to complete Illinois State's General Education Program. The General Education Program requires 15 courses and 45 semester hours within a structured, three-tiered system. The Inner Core requires completion of 6 courses; the Middle Core requires completion of 5 courses; and the Outer Core, 4 courses.

The second way is to complete the Illinois Transferable General Education Core Curriculum available through the Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI). This program, designed for transfer students, is a statewide agreement between participating colleges and universities and some private schools that is designed to facilitate timely degree completion. The Illinois Transferable General Education Core Curriculum structure consists of 12 to 13 courses (37 to 41 semester credits) distributed among five subject areas. Completion of these requirements satisfies General Education requirements irrespective of participating institutions at which courses are taken.

The third way is to complete a baccalaureate-oriented Associates Degree (A.A. or A.S.) from an Illinois community college. The University, in agreement with Illinois community colleges, allows these students to be admitted to Illinois State with junior standing and all General Education requirements completed.

D. Major-Minor Options: All students who are candidates for B.S. or B.A. degrees must complete a major field of study. Completion of a second major, a minor, or a second minor is optional unless specified by the student's major. Teacher education students who are candidates for a B.S., B.A., B.S. in Ed. or B.M.E. degree must complete professional education requirements and a major approved for teacher education. Some teacher education programs require the completion of requirements for a second teaching field. A student may count no more than nine hours from a major program or a second major of study toward a minor or a second minor within the same department.

E. Senior College Hours: The senior college hours (courses numbered 200 or above) must total at least 42 hours. Coursework transferred from other colleges and universities is not counted as senior college credit if freshmen and sophomores are regularly permitted to enroll in such work. No credit from two-year colleges may be counted as senior level.

F. Grade Point Average: Unless otherwise specified in a specific program, the grade point average for all courses taken at Illinois State University must be 2.0 (C) or higher. In addition, the student must have a grade point average of 2.0 (C) or higher in the courses required in the major and the minor if the student has a minor.

G. Removal of Incompletes: Students may not graduate with an incomplete grade on their record. Each Incomplete grade (I) must be removed at least six weeks before December or May commencement or two weeks before August graduation if the course is to be used in meeting graduation requirements.

H. Residence Requirements: Unless otherwise specified in a specific program, at least 30 of the last 60 hours completed toward the baccalaureate degree must be earned at Illinois State.

I. Constitution Examination: Each student must pass an examination on the Constitution of the United States, the Constitution of the State of Illinois, and the proper use of the American flag. The examination is given on different dates throughout the year. A student may meet this requirement by successful completion of Political Science 105 at Illinois State University. Students who transfer in a course equivalent to POS 105 from an accredited college or university in Illinois will be considered to have met both the constitution of the United States and the State of Illinois test requirements. Students who transfer in a course equivalent to POS 105 from a United States institution outside of Illinois will be considered as having met only the examination on the Constitution of the United States. That student may meet the requirement of the Illinois Constitution by passing the examination or completing POS 221 at Illinois State, by transferring the equivalent of POS 221 from another accredited Illinois college or university, or by presenting certification of having passed an appropriate examination on the Constitution of the State of Illinois at another accredited Illinois college or university.

J. University Writing Examination: The examination should be taken after the completion of 45 semester hours and before the completion of 75 semester hours. At least 15 semester hours must have been completed since the satisfaction of the freshman English requirement. Transfer students with more than 75 semester hours must take the examination before the end of their first term at Illinois State University. A fee will be charged to cover the cost of the examination. In order to take the examination, students must register for English 189.99. Students will be enrolled for the limited number of examination seats available each semester on a first-come, first-served basis. In order to avoid delaying their graduation, students are strongly advised to register for the examination as soon as they become eligible.

K. Global Studies Requirement: All students graduating from Illinois State University must have successfully completed a course designated as a course in the cultures and traditions of societies or peoples from Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Latin America, or Indigenous Peoples of the World. Such designations are located in course descriptions. For students under the Illinois State University General Education Program, this course must be selected from the Outer Core.

L. Professional Practice and Independent Study: A student may count no more than 16 hours of professional practice courses (98's) toward graduation. A student may count no more than 6 hours of independent study (287) credit toward graduation.

COMPONENTS OF BACCALAUREATE DEGREE PROGRAMS AT ISU

I. General Education Category Requirements

The Illinois State University General Education Program requires 15 courses, totaling 45 semester hours, as outlined below:

Inner Core (6 courses required)

• three required courses taken by all students (including Language and Composition, and Language and Communication)
• one course chosen from a four-course mathematics category
• two courses chosen from a four-course natural sciences category (students may substitute alternative science-laboratory courses approved for General Education credit)

Middle Core (5 courses required)

• five courses, with one course from each of the five Middle Core course categories (Quantitative Reasoning, Language in the Humanities, United States Traditions, Individuals and Civic Life, and Individuals and Societies)

Outer Core (4 courses required)

• four courses, with one course from each of four discipline groups (Science, Mathematics and Technology; Fine Arts; Humanities; and the Social Sciences). Two of these courses must be from the category, Knowing in the Disciplines, and two from Disciplinary Knowledge in Cultural Contexts. And finally, at least one of the four courses chosen must focus on the cultures of Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Latin America, or the Indigenous Peoples of the World.

II. General Education Curriculum Requirements

Each student seeking a bachelor's degree must satisfy the requirements of the General Education Program. A transfer student who has completed an associate degree based on a baccalaureate-oriented sequence and who is admitted to the University from a public community college in Illinois shall be considered to have attained junior standing and to have met his or her General Education requirements. A transfer student entering from a college or university participating in the Illinois Transferable General Education Core Curriculum may complete these requirements at the participating institution or Illinois State, in lieu of Illinois State General Education requirements. All other students must meet the minimum requirements for each core requirement in the program-a total of 45 hours. The Proficiency and Placement Examinations section of the University Undergraduate Catalog describes how a student may meet some of the General Education requirements through the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) and other proficiency examinations.

Social Science Major: Any General Education course may be used to meet the 45 hour requirement without regard for courses from a major department for students who are pursuing a Social Science major (an interdisciplinary major).

General Studies Major: Only three hours of General Education courses taken from either the Middle or Outer Core may count in the 36 hours for the Multidisciplinary and Individualized Sequences found within the General Studies Major. Students choosing the Individualized Sequence may count only three hours taken from either the Middle or Outer Core in the 36 hours designated as their major, but may use any other General Education course to satisfy the 96 hours of Arts and Science coursework required to complete this degree.

Teacher Certification: Illinois State University's General Education program requirements meet the State of Illinois general education requirements for teacher certification.

International Studies: Credit in General Education may be earned through the Study Abroad program.

DEFINITION OF TERMS

A major is a cohesive combination of courses, including introductory, intermediate, and advanced course work that designates a student's primary area of specialization. Majors are designated on University transcripts. A minor is a combination of courses designed to provide a cohesive introduction to an area of study beyond the major. Minors are designated on University transcripts. A sequence is a subdivision of a major in which there are specific requirements. Sequences of the same major generally share a common core within a major. Sequences are designated on University transcripts. A concentration is a subdivision of a major without specific requirements that is provided for advisement only. Concentrations are not designated on University transcripts. All informal curricular recommendations made by departments (such as emphases, tracks, areas of study, specializations, etc.) should be considered concentrations. Concentrations are advisory only; no approval process is required.

REQUIREMENTS AND LIMITATIONS FOR DEGREE PROGRAMS, MAJORS, MINORS, AND SEMESTER HOURS MANDATED BY A MAJOR DEPARTMENT

All hours that are applicable to graduate within a specific program, including required prerequisites, are included in the calculation of hours mandated by the program. Exceptions to the following guidelines may be approved only by agreement of the University Curriculum Committee and the Academic Senate.

1. Undergraduate degree programs should not require more than 124 hours of course work.
2. The major in the B.A., B.S, and B.S. in Education degrees should not require more than 55 semester hours in the major department. (This limit does not apply to the B.F.A., the B.M., the B.M.E., and the B.S. of Nursing degrees.)
3. The major in the B.A. degree must require successful completion of FOR 115 (or equivalent. The major in the B.S. degree must require successful completion of one, additional, three-hour natural science, mathematics, statistics, or technology course beyond the General Education requirements. These courses must list specific prerequisites from Inner Core Mathematics, Natural Science, and/or Natural Science Alternatives, or courses from Middle Core-Quantitative Reasoning category.
4. The major should not mandate more than 76 hours excluding General Education requirements. (The 76-hour limit should be seen not as an ideal, but as a maximum to be approved only in rare cases. A department or college is obligated to make a strong case to the University Curriculum committee for mandating 60 semester hours or more.)
5. Students should be given maximum opportunity to exercise individual choice when selecting General Education coursework.
6. Major programs may stipulate General Education courses as a part of the major requirements only if such courses serve as prerequisites for other courses required by the major. Minor programs may stipulate General Education courses as part of the minor requirements regardless of whether such courses serve as prerequisites to other courses required by the minor.
7. Students may count no more than three semester hours of General Education Middle and Outer core course work from their major department toward General Education credit.
8. A minor, including all required prerequisite hours may include 18 to 36 hours. In no case may the minor include more than 24 hours from the major department.
9. Academic departments, in consultation with the college deans, may establish for admission to the University and to department programs, supplemental criteria. These may include prerequisites [e.g., previous course work, talent-based competencies, etc.], required levels of previous academic performance, and required levels of test scores.
10. The 2.00 grade point average is established as the undergraduate standard for minimum performance in admission of transfer students, admission of re-entering students, probation, reinstatement, continuation in the major, and graduation. Some majors or sequences may have higher requirements.
    

Return to Advisement Manual Index

GRADUATING WITH DEPARTMENTAL/UNIVERSITY HONORS

Here is information about the new Departmental Honors Program dated November 1, 1999:

The Physics Department Honors program is designed to recognize special achievement in by undergraduate Physics Majors in the discipline of Physics. The program requirements are rigorous and require substantial participation in physics research, including physics education research (e.g. action research), with a faculty mentor from the Department of Physics.

Admission to Departmental Honors Program. Students majoring in any sequence in Physics may be admitted to the Departmental Honors Program if they have:

• Minimum of 30 hr of university credit with a minimum of 8 hr in university-level Physics courses.
• Maximum of 90 hr of university credit.
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.3 with grades of A or B in all university-level Physics courses.
• Two letters of recommendation from faculty.
• Prior admission to the University Honors Program.
• Approval of the Chairperson of the Department.

Graduation with Departmental Honors. In order to graduate with Honors in Physics, a student must complete:

• All requirements for a degree in one of the sequences of the Department of Physics.
• 9 s.h. of in-course honors in courses offered by the Department of Physics.
• 2 s.h. of research with a Physics faculty mentor in PHY 290, PHY 390, IDS 285, or IDS 286 with a grade of A.
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.3 with grades of A or B in all university-level Physics courses.
• Good standing in the University Honors Program.

See the PTE advisor if you'd like to discuss a proposal. Though you may register for PHY 290 etc. during one semester, physics education research needs to go through a lengthy process before the proposal will be approved. Included are experimental design, creating and validating a research instrument, and getting a proposal through the Institutional Review Board for working human subjects. This can be time consuming, so start now if you expect to graduate with Departmental Honors.

Return to Advisement Manual Index

ILLINOIS STATE UNIVERSITY

ROBERT G. BONE SCHOLAR

The Robert G. Bone Scholar designation is the highest University-wide honor that can be bestowed upon a graduating senior. The designation, awarded since 1967, was created in honor of the contributions of the late President Robert Bone on his retirement. Dr. Bone stressed excellence, quality, hard work and leadership. The Bone Scholar, then and now, is an individual who combines broad academic achievement with involvement and leadership, both on and off campus.

Bone Scholars are chosen from nominees named by the faculty of the various departments. Departments may nominate one candidate for each 200 majors (but not more than four in total), from which the selection committee will generally choose up to fourteen Bone Scholars. The selection committee takes the following into consideration:

the breadth, diversity and quality of the nominee's academic work;

the type and extent of activities in which the nominee has been involved, both within the University and outside the University;

the personal qualities of dependability, cooperation, and initiative as well as other criteria which may be determined by the committee.

Bone Scholar winners are announced in late April and are recognized for the first time at a luncheon in May. Bone Scholars receive a financial award and a Certificate of Academic Achievement at the fall awards ceremony held on the Sunday of Family Weekend.

Return to Advisement Manual Index

Scholarships, Awards, and Internships Resource List for undergraduate ISU Physics Teaching majors.

A password protected PDF contains many dozens of resources for securing scholarships, awards, and internships. ISU Physics Teaching majors only may contact the program coordinator for the required password.

ISU PHYSICS DEPARTMENT GRANTS & EMPLOYMENT

The ISU Physics Department has a number of small grants in aid which are distributed annually. Check with the departmental office to see what is available.

The Department also hires PTE majors to work as Undergraduate Teaching Assistants who grade homework and/or lab reports for introductory courses. Additionally, some physics faculty hire Undergraduate Research Assistants who, as the name implies, assist with ongoing research within the department. Contact the departmental office for details.

Return to Advisement Manual Index

ITEACH TEACHER SHORTAGE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

The ITEACH Teacher Shortage Scholarship Program (formerly, DeBolt Teacher Shortage Scholarship Program) is administered by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission. The Commission can be reached at 1/800-899-4722 or Web address: http://www.isac1.org/ilaid/iteach.html. Application deadline recently has been in the month of March.

Return to Advisement Manual Index

BARBARA LOTZE SCHOLARSHIP - $2,000

This scholarship is supported by an endowment funded by Barbara Lotze. Undergraduate students in, or planning to enter, physics teacher preparation curricula and high school seniors planning to enter such curricula are eligible. Successful applicant, will receive a stipend of $2,000. The scholarship may be granted to an individual for each of four years.

Applications will be accepted at any time and will be considered for recommendation to the Executive Board at the time of each AAPT Winter Meeting. Applications for which all materials, including letters of recommendation, are received by the first day of December will be considered for recommendation at the following January meeting of the AAPT Executive Board.

Application materials are available online, or may be requested from:

Programs Department
American Association of Physics Teachers
One Physics Ellipse
College Park, MD 20740

Phone: (301) 209-3344
Fax: (301) 209-0845
Email: aapt-prog@aapt.org

DEADLINE: December 1 annually. Award will be presented at the AAPT winter meeting which is normally held in January.

For further information and application, visit the AAPT web page http://www.aapt.org/Grants/lotze.cfm or contact the AAPT Programs Department at aapt-prog@aapt.org or by phone at 301-209-3344.

Return to Advisement Manual Index

THE HUNTER FAMILY TRUST SCHOLARSHIP

This scholarship was established in 2000 by the Hunter Family Trust. Helen and Joan Hunter were two respected and admired teachers in Illinois. Both were members of Delta' Kappa Gamma, and honorary educator sorority. It is their wish to award scholarships to deserving individuals preparing for a career in education. National City Bank, as Trustee of the Hunter Family Trust Scholarship, is pleased to announce that we are now accepting applications for the 2001-2002 academic year.

An applicant for a scholarship must meet the following qualifications:

The applicant must be a full-time resident of McLean County.

The awards will be made to students who will be Sophomores, Juniors, or Seniors at an accredited college/university for the 2001-2002 academic year. The applicant should rank in the upper 1/3 of his or her class.

The applicant must be taking the required coursework, with the intent of becoming a teacher.

Partial to full tuition, based upon need, will be awarded based upon the Professional Affairs Committee criteria, Delta Kappa Gamma, Beta Chapter, Normal, Illinois.

Applications must be postmarked no later that March 1, 200 1. Additional information and application forms may be obtained by contacting the Trustee, National City Bank, Charitable and Endowment Services, 301 SW Adams, Peoria, Illinois, 61602-1500. Final candidates will be notified for an interview during the month of March.

For additional information, call (309) 655-5385 or (800) 380-8529 or e-mail kay.bartley@national-city.com

NOTE: A student recommended by the ISU Physics Department during spring semester 2001 received a $2,500 grant-in-aid.

Return to Advisement Manual Index

SECOND BACHELOR'S AND THE KNOWLES SCIENCE TEACHING FELLOWSHIP

The Janet H. and C. Harry Knowles Foundation was established to enhance the quantity of high quality high school science teachers. The Foundation was incorporated in 1999 and recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a private foundation in January 2001. One of the programs of the Foundation is the Knowles Science Teaching Fellowship Program. The first Teaching Fellowships will begin in Summer 2002.

Knowles Science Teaching Fellowships are awarded to young men and women who have recently received a bachelor's degree in science or engineering and now want to teach high school science. During the initial year, up to six Fellowships will be awarded. The Knowles Fellowship supports these beginning teachers both professionally and financially. Support continues for up to five years during a teacher preparation program, if such a program is necessary, through eligibility for school tenure and eligibility for National Board for Professional Teaching Standards certification.

2007 Teaching Fellowships

The Knowles Science Teaching Foundation (KSTF) is currently accepting applications for its 2007 Science and Mathematics Teaching Fellowships. Teaching fellows are individuals who have at least a bachelor's degree in a physical science, engineering or mathematics and now want to teach science or mathematics in U.S. high schools. KSTF was established in 1999 to strengthen the quality of science and mathematics teaching in the United States. KSTF Teaching Fellowships support individuals professionally and financially for up to five years through a teacher preparation program to eligibility for tenure

Eligibility Requirements:

Applicants must have earned at least a bachelor's degree in a physical science, engineering or mathematics within the past five years and be committed to teaching secondary mathematics or science in U.S. schools.
Fellowships are intended for individuals enrolling in a recognized teacher education program leading to certification.

Award Information:

Fellowships will be awarded to up to 15 individuals in the mathematics program and up to 15 in the science program. The fellowship is renewable for up to five years. While individuals are enrolled in a
recognized teacher credentialing program, fellowship support includes tuition assistance and a monthly stipend as well as room, board, travel expenses and fees for summer professional development activities. Once fellows have begun teaching full time, they are eligible to apply for instructional materials mini-grants and school-site mentor support. Additionally, the award includes room, board and travel expenses to three fellows' meetings per year and membership in a professional organization.

Application Information:

Applications are available online beginning November 1st at 9:00am EST. Application instructions can be found online at http://kstf.org/teaching_fellowships/tf_application_info.php. The
deadline for applications is January 16, 2007. Only online applications will be considered. For more information, contact:

Jennifer Mossgrove - Program Officer, Mathematics
or
Rachel Foster - Program Officer, Science
(856)608-0001
teachers@kstf.org

Return to Advisement Manual Index