School of Education

Southern Illinois University Carbondale has been preparing teachers since its beginning as a normal school in 1869. While the School of Education was established in January 2020, it traces its beginning to 1944 when the College of Education was established. Today, the School of Education is comprised of a variety of academic programs offering both undergraduate and graduate degrees in curriculum and instruction; educational administration and higher education; quantitative methods, special education; and organizational learning, innovation, and development. Students interested in teaching careers in preschool, elementary and secondary schools, school administration, and workforce and human resource development are encouraged to learn about the School’s programs.

Teacher Education

All teacher candidates who successfully complete an approved teacher education program at Southern Illinois University, pass appropriate licensure exams, and meet Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) requirements will be recommended for a State of Illinois Professional Educator License (PEL). The School of Education offers the following undergraduate degree programs that provide the path for students to earn the PEL:

B.S. Biological Sciences with a specialization in Biological Education
B.S. Early Childhood Education
B.S. Elementary Education
B.S. English
B.S. German Studies
B.S. History
B.S. Mathematics
B.S. Spanish
B.S. Special Education

In addition, there is a PEL pathway in the following:

B.F.A. Art, Specialization in Art Education
B.A. Language, Culture, and International Studies, Specialization in German-Teacher Education
B.A. Language, Culture, and International Studies, Specialization in Spanish-Teacher Education
B.M. Music, Specialization in Music Education
B.S. Agricultural Systems and Education, Specialization in Agricultural Education
B.S. Chemistry, Specialization in Chemical Education

Admission to the University does not automatically constitute acceptance to the Teacher Education Program. Candidates for baccalaureate degrees who plan to complete licensure requirements for teaching must submit a special application for admission to the Teacher Education Program. Consult with your Academic Advisor about when to apply to the TEP. The program of study includes a sequence of professional education courses taken during the four semesters of clinical field experience through student teaching in public schools. Clinical experiences provide invaluable opportunities for professional development as an educator. Subject-matter courses to prepare graduates to be highly qualified in their majors, specializations, and endorsements are taken by education major through the School of Education, College of Agricultural, Life, and Physical Sciences, the College of Liberal Arts, and the College of Arts and Media.

B.S. Child and Family Services

The Bachelor of Science degree in Child and Family Services is designed for students who prefer to work with children in non-public school settings, such as Head Start or childcare, or with children and families in a social services setting. This program is flexible, leading students to a multitude of professions. Students have practicum experiences with infants, toddlers, and preschoolers through the Southern Region Early Childhood Program. They also do a semester-long internship in an agency or early childhood setting as a capstone experience.

B.S. Organizational Learning, Innovation, and Development

The School of Education offers a Bachelor of Science degree in Organizational Learning, Innovation, and Development. The program is available online and at off-campus locations. This degree completion program provides a capstone option and credit for work experience.

Admission and Graduation Policies

New and transfer students eligible for admission to the Bachelor of Science programs must meet University entrance requirements and program requirements for admission to the major.

Students must complete all coursework with a 2.0 average (C or better) on a 4.0-point scale to qualify for completion. The Teacher Education Program requires a major 2.75 GPA to enroll in student teaching. Students majoring in Child and Family Services must hold a 2.5 GPA overall to participate in the final internship. Additionally, students must fulfill all academic program and SIU requirements including the University Core Curriculum, total credit hour, residency, and GPA requirements to qualify for completion.

Living Learning Community

Living Learning Communities (LLCs) are residence hall communities that bring college learning into the everyday lives of students. They offer students the chance to live with others who share common interests and to interact with School faculty and staff.

Students who live in the School of Education LLC benefit by being among the first to receive information about events, guest speakers, career opportunities and more. They also have the opportunity to get to know their faculty and classmates earlier, have greater access to academic resources, and experience specialized programs often located right in the residence hall.

Course Sequence

It is important that required courses in the program be taken in the proper sequence. Sequence guidelines are available from the school advisement office. Courses at the 300- and 400-level are generally reserved for juniors and seniors.

Transfer Students

Students enrolled in community colleges who plan to transfer to the university should take courses that provide backgrounds in mathematics, physical sciences, social sciences, and humanities. Students may transfer at any time, but there are advantages in having completed a baccalaureate-oriented associate degree program. Community college students may contact the School of Education Advisement Office for course recommendations applicable to majors in the college.

Repeat Policy

Students earning less than a “C” in a major course, may repeat said course one time only. As there may be reasonable exceptions to the policy, students who wish to request Dean’s permission to repeat beyond one time may do so by filling out a College/School Repeat Petition obtained from the School Advisement Office.

Accreditation

The Teacher Education programs are approved by the Illinois State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board (SEPLB) and fully accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).

The Music Education program is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM).

The Art Education program is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD)

Capstone Option

The capstone option is available to qualified students in the Child and Family Services program, the Agricultural Systems and Education programs, and the Organizational Learning, Innovation, and Development program. Capstone reduces the University Core Curriculum from 39 to 30 credit hours. Additional information is available on the Capstone Option page.