School of Education
About the School of Education
Established in 1969, the School of Education (SOE) offers four undergraduate programs of study, leading to the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Education. SOE prepares students to be extraordinary teachers who demonstrate professionalism in the service of social justice. Graduates are prepared to face the challenges and rewards of teaching in today's educational environments.
Loyola's undergraduate education students take courses at both the Lake Shore and Water Tower Campuses. In addition, students receive distinct learning opportunities: integrated curriculum linking theory and classroom experience; varied clinical experiences in the classroom, starting as early as freshman year; international study that enables students to complete courses at Loyola's John Felice Rome Center (link); and participation in a professional learning community of students and faculty.
Contact Us
Water Tower Campus
Lewis Towers 1115
820 N. Michigan Avenue
Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: 312-915-6520
Fax: 312-915-8593
Website: www.luc.edu/education
Office of the Dean
Dean: David Prasse, Ph.D.
Associate Dean of Student Academic Services and Certification Officer: Janet Pierce-Ritter, Ph.D.
Associate Dean of Academic Programs: Beverly Kasper, Ed.D.
Academic Advising
First-year and second-year students are advised through the Office of University Advising.
The School of Education's Office of Student Academic Services coordinates academic advising for SOE undergraduate students and those students in the College of Arts and Sciences who are pursuing certification as secondary school teachers. Students are required to contact this office each semester for advising regarding their academic programs.
Degree Programs
All SOE students complete a broad-based core of foundation courses, followed by advanced study in an area of specialization, leading to the B.S.Ed. degrees in the following:
- Bilingual/Bicultural Education (K-9)
- Elementary Education (K-9)
- Secondary Education (6-12) and Foreign Languages (K-12)
- Science Education (K-9)
- Special Education (K-12)
Dual Degrees
A student may elect to earn two undergraduate degrees while attending Loyola University Chicago (e.g., Bachelor of Science in Education and a Bachelor of Arts). A student must successfully complete the university Core and degree requirements for each college or school and the requirements for each major. A student must consult the Dean of each college or school in which he or she is earning a degree for exact degree requirements.
State Requirements
| Health and/or Physical Development | |
|---|---|
| 1 core approved course | 2 credit hours |
Illinois State Certification Testing RequirementsTo be certified by the State of Illinois, teacher candidates must receive passing grades on three tests prepared by the Illinois Certification Testing System. It consists of three parts: 1) a basic skills test, 2) a subject matter test in the major discipline and 3) a test in the assessment of professional teaching. Passing scores on the basic skills test are required for admission to teacher education. The subject matter test is a prerequisite for student teaching. The assessment of professional teaching is required to receive a certificate by the Illinois State Board of Education. Students completing the bilingual/bicultural major must also complete a test in language proficiency.
University Core Curriculum
For specific information, please refer to the University Core Curriculum section in Academic Rules and Regulations or visit the University Core Curriculum Website at www.luc.edu/core. Specific suggestions on how to fulfill the Core through the School of Education are detailed below.
| Knowledge Areas | School Recommended Courses |
|---|---|
| College Writing Seminar (3 credit hours) | UCWR 110 (Required as a prerequisite for writing-intensive courses) |
| Artistic Knowledge (3 credit hours) | |
| Historical Knowledge (6 credit hours) | HIST 201 or 202 and ELPS 219 |
| Quantitative Analysis (3 credit hours) | |
| Literary Knowledge and Experience (6 credit hours) | |
| Philosophic Knowledge (6 credit hours) | PHIL 186 and ELPS 302 |
| Scientific Literacy (6 credit hours) | NTSC 103 |
| Societal and Cultural Understanding (6 credit hours) | PLSC 101 |
| Theological and Religious Studies (6 credit hours) | |
| Ethics (3 credit hours) | PHIL 186 |
Majors and Program Details
| School/Program Website | Brochure |
|---|---|
| Bilingual/Bicultural Education: K-9 (B.S.Ed.), includes English as a second language | Details (PDF) |
| Elementary Education: K-9 (B.S.Ed.), includes a middle grade (5-8) specialization in art, foreign languages, history, language arts, life sciences, mathematics, music or theatre | Details (PDF) |
| Mathematics Education (B.S.Ed.) | |
| Science Education: K-9 (B.S.Ed.) | Details (PDF) |
| Secondary Education major and foreign languages: K-12 (B.S.Ed.), completed with certification and one of the following majors in the College of Arts and Sciences: biology, chemistry, English, French, history, Italian, Latin, mathematics, political science, psychology, Spanish or theatre | Details (PDF) |
| Special Education: K-12, Learning Behavior Specialist (B.S.Ed.) | Details (PDF) |
Teacher Education
- Admission to Student Teaching
- Admission to Teacher Education
- Certification
- Clinicals
- Degree Requirements
- Illinois State Testing Requirements
- Portfolio
As a school for professional studies, the School of Education prepares men and women to work in a variety of educational and professional occupations. Teacher candidates complete a sequence of teacher education and professional courses in the School of Education in order to qualify for certification.
Admission to Teacher Education Admission to professional teacher education requires the following:
- Overall GPA of 2.5 or higher
- Average GPA of 2.8 or higher in all education courses taken
- Passing score on the Illinois Test of Basic Skills
Additional B.S.Ed. requirements:
- A grade of "C" or better in the following courses:
- CIEP 229 Educational Psychology
- ELPS 219 American Education
- CIEP 104 Mathematics for Teachers I
Additional secondary education requirements:
- A grade of "C+" or better in CPSY 337 Adolescent Development with Implications for Education
- Average GPA of 2.8 in major coursework
Clinical ExperiencesStudents complete clinical experiences that are designed to meet the unique needs of each program. A major component of each program is a "block" experience that contains a minimum of five weeks of classroom experience integrated with education methods courses.
The School of Education is responsible for maintaining the professional competence of students. If the teacher candidate is judged to be unable to discharge the responsibilities entailed in a clinical experience laboratory, the student may be dropped from the course or program. Non-attendance at the clinical site may also result in removal from the clinical experience.
Student TeachingStudent teaching, or practicum, gives the prospective teacher the opportunity to bridge the worlds of theory and practice, and to begin the process of developing an individual teaching style. Those engaged in student teaching are closely monitored both by a cooperating teacher in the school and by university faculty. Admission to student teaching requires completion of all coursework, advisor approval, a successful interview with the coordinator of clinical services, a 2.8 GPA in both the major to be taught and education classes, and a 2.5 overall GPA. Students are also expected to pass the required Illinois subject matter test(s). Students submit an application one year in advance of expected student teaching placement (October 1 for fall and March 1 for spring).
Showcase PortfolioEach student seeking teacher certification through the School of Education at Loyola University Chicago must complete a professional teaching portfolio that demonstrates expertise in content areas and pedagogy as well as reflection on clinical and classroom experiences. The portfolio should encompass the student's entire experience in the School of Education program, not simply the student teaching experience. The purpose of the portfolio throughout all of these stages is to demonstrate evidence of professional competence and growth in both education and/or the content area as well as to meet national and state professional teacher preparation standards.
CertificationStudents must apply to the School of Education's Office of Student Academic Services for certification (i.e., it is not automatically conferred at graduation), and students are bound by the certification requirements of the state of Illinois at the time of their application. Therefore, students should apply for certification as soon as possible after graduation to avoid being liable for additional coursework should the state modify its requirements. Students are responsible for meeting requirements necessary for certification.
To be certified to teach in the public schools of Illinois, a student must be of good character, in good health, a citizen of the United States, or legally present and authorized for work, and at least 19 years of age.
Honors and Awards
The School of Education is affiliated with the Honors Program of the College of Arts and Sciences. Students who complete their program successfully will be awarded the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Education, Honors.
Dean's List The School of Education's Dean's List is a semester-by-semester acknowledgment of those full-time (12 or more semester hours excluding P/NP grades) students who earn at least a 3.5 grade point average (GPA) in any given academic semester. Students on the Dean's List receive a personal acknowledgement from the Dean.