The Secondary Education Teacher Education Program consists of six benchmarks each with its own responsibilities and requirements which mark your progress in the program. Each benchmark is contingent on passing the previous benchmark.

Benchmark I-Admission to Loyola University Chicago, School of Education

Benchmark II-Admission to Teacher Preparation

• A grade of “C” or better in the following courses:
  • CPSY 337-Adolescent Development with Educational Implications
  • ELPS 219-American Education
  • UCWR 110-College Writing Seminar
• An overall GPA of a 2.5 or higher
• An average GPA of a 2.8 or higher in all education courses taken
• An average GPA of a 2.8 or higher in major coursework
• A minimum of 15 hours in major coursework
• A passing score in the Illinois Test of Academic Proficiency (formerly known as the Basic Skills Test)
• Declaration of the Major in Secondary Education

Benchmark III-Secondary Education Methods Block 1

• Recommendation from the Teaching and Learning Committee
• An overall GPA of a 2.5 or higher
• An average GPA of a 2.8 or higher in all education courses taken
• An average GPA of a 2.8 or higher in major coursework

Benchmark IV- Secondary Education Methods Block 2

• Successful completion of Secondary Education Methods Block 1
• Recommendation from the Teaching and Learning Committee
• An overall GPA of a 2.5 or higher
• An average GPA of a 2.8 or higher in all education courses taken
• An average GPA of a 2.8 or higher in major coursework

Benchmark V-Student Teaching

• Successful completion of Secondary Education Methods Blocks 1 & 2
• Recommendation from the Teaching and Learning Committee
• An overall GPA of a 2.5 or higher
• An average GPA of a 2.8 or higher in all education courses taken
• An average GPA of a 2.8 or higher in major coursework
• A passing score on the ISBE Subject Matter Knowledge Test
• An application for student teaching
• An interview with the Coordinator of Student Teaching

Benchmark VI- Certification

• Successful completion of all program requirements
• Successful completion of student teaching
• Submission of an application for certification
• Submission of an application for graduation
• Impact on Student Learning Project
• Professional Practice Profile
• An overall GPA of a 2.5 or higher
• An average GPA of a 2.8 or higher in all education courses taken
• An average GPA of a 2.8 or higher in major coursework
• A passing score on the 6-12 or K-12 Assessment of Professional Teaching Test