Applying to Teacher Education

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Education Program Requirements

Teacher candidates must take and pass two IL State Board of Education (ISBE) approved assessments:

  1. IL Content Area Test (prior to student teaching)
  2. edTPA Teacher Performance Assessment (during student teaching)

All education courses presented for licensure must be passed with a C- or better and an overall GPA of 2.75 is required.

Teacher candidates must apply to the Teacher Education Program before taking more than three education courses. The following criteria are required for acceptance to the Teacher Education Program:

  1. Grade of C or better in your first education class at DU or in transfer
  2. Cumulative GPA of at least 2.75
  3. Clear fingerprint and background check following the steps outlined in the CPS Field Experience Guide
To apply to the Teacher Education Program
  1. Set up a licensure account (ELIS) at the Illinois State Board of Education website to obtain an Illinois Educator Identification Number (IEIN).
  2. Complete the Teacher Education Program Online Application. After you submit your application, a confirmation will be sent to your email for your records.
  3. After receiving notification of your acceptance into the TEP with a formal letter, you should complete a Declaration of Major form which can be obtained from the Student Success and Engagement Office. This is an important step in making sure your major and your advisor line up properly.

Admission to the Teacher Education Program takes place 3 times a year. While you may apply all year round, applications are specifically due by:

  • March 15
  • July 15
  • October 15

You will receive a decision notice from the School of Education by March 30, July 30, and October 30 respectively.

The CPS Field Experience Registration requests the following information:


  • Field Placement Coordinator Name: Bridget Burns

  • Field Placement Coordinator Contact Number: (708) 524-6806

  • Field Placement Coordinator E-mail Address: brburns@dom.edu

  • Name of CPS Placement School: Unknown


You will receive an email Approval Notice from CPS. Please save that email and know that when you do field experience at a CPS school, you may need to show your Approval Notice to the school. Please also upload a screenshot of the CPS Approval Notice at the spot indicated on the online application. If you have any questions about your application, please email Monica Halloran at mhallora@dom.edu.

Continuation in the Teacher Education Program

The following criteria are required in order to continue as a candidate in the Teacher Education Program:

  • Cumulative GPA of 2.75; Education GPA of 2.75
  • A minimum grade of C- in all courses presented for licensure
  • Acceptable dispositions ratings

A candidate who does not meet the above requirements is subject to the School of Education’s candidate intervention/remediation process. As part of that process, candidates and their advisers will develop an intervention/remediation plan for the candidate. The plan is designed to support candidates in addressing the criteria above that are not satisfied. If the plan is not successfully met, the candidate may be withdrawn from the program.

Clinical Practice

Admission to clinical practice is determined on the basis of the candidate’s written application and other records as measured against criteria established by the Dominican University Teacher Education Committee. Students must meet the following criteria in order to be eligible for clinical practice:

  1. The Content Test(s) for your licensure area must be taken and passed by August 30 for Spring Clinical Practice and by January 30 for Fall Clinical Practice. You can register and get more information at ICTS Testing Service: http://www.icts.nesinc.com/
  2. In addition to a passing score by the required date on the appropriate Content Test, the following prerequisites for placement are necessary:
    • Completion of education courses specified in your program
    • Minimum grade of C- in all courses presented for licensure and Dominican University background check
    • At least 75 field experience hours are completed and no more than 25 hours are in process during the term in which you are applying.
    • Cumulative GPA of 2.75; Education GPA of 2.75
    • Approval of your education advisor