School of Education

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www.millikin.edu/education

Chris Cunnings, Director
SOE Office • (217) 424-6244

School of Education Faculty and Staff

Full-Time: Hee Young Choi, Kaitlin Glause, Karen Lauritzen, Denice Love
Licensure and Student Teaching Coordinator: Beau Kallenbach
Administrative Assistant: Emily Fitzgerald

Accreditation and Approval

The School of Education, in the College of Professional Studies, is an Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) Approved Program Provider for the Preparation of Educational Personnel in Illinois Institutions of Higher Education.

Illinois requires that all candidates for an initial teacher’s license complete a state-approved program at a recognized teacher education institution. Also, Illinois currently requires the passing of a content test, and may also require the passing of the EdTPA, in the major field. While some courses contain assessment fees to cover licensure tasks and assessments, students must pay for other applicable licensure fees out of pocket (e.g., content test fees, ISBE licensure fees upon program completion).

Mission of the School of Education

Our mission in keeping with James Millikin’s founding vision, seeks to create communities of learners and learning environments that value diversity and that are fair to and equitable for all students. It seeks to prepare educators who live, learn and teach respect for themselves and others and establish caring, empathetic interactions that promote students’ intellectual, social and personal development.

Approved Programs

• Art Education (grades preK-12)
• Elementary Education (grades 1-6)
• English Language Arts Education (grades 9-12)
• Mathematics Education (grades 9-12)
• Music Education (grades preK-12)
• Physical Education (grades preK-12)
• Science Education: Biology (grades 9-12)
• Social Science Education: History (grades 9-12)

School of Education Policies

Education programs at Millikin draw heavily on offerings of the colleges and schools that comprise the University. These programs are overseen by the Committee on Teacher Education Programs (CTEP) under the leadership of the Director of the School of Education, who has the responsibility and authority for their overall administration and operation. In addition, CTEP sets policy for all ISBE-approved licensure programs offered at Millikin University. The committee has the responsibility to plan, approve, and monitor the educator preparation curricula in accordance with University policies and requirements governing general education, majors, degrees, and graduation. It shall develop policies which govern the admission and retention of candidates in the teacher programs. CTEP works closely with faculty across the university who design, offer, and evaluate the courses and field internships that comprise its programs. The Director of the School of Education, who also assists Millikin’s licensure officer, coordinates the programs among the various colleges, departments, committees, and students, with national and state organizations, and with the Illinois State Board of Education. The Director serves as Unit Head and is responsible to the Committee on Teacher Education Programs and has the final authority for recommending policy, evaluating programs, carrying out CTEP decisions, and reviewing candidate eligibility for (1) admission to teacher education programs, (2) admission to student teaching, and (3) entitlement for licensure. Students, please refer to the School of Education handbook for specific policy guidelines.

Major Grade Point Averages for Admission to Student Teaching

• Art Education 2.7
• Elementary Education 2.7
• English Language Arts Education 2.7
• Foreign Language-Spanish Education 2.7
• Mathematics Education 2.5
• Music Education 2.7 (no grade less than C- in ME 251 , ME 341 , ME 450 /ME 451 , ME 460 /ME 461 )
• Physical Education 2.7
• Science Education: Biology 2.7
• Social Science Education: History 2.7

Program Completion/Entitlement for Licensure

Candidates are approved for licensure when they have met the following requirements:

1. Successful completion of student teaching experience (grade no lower than a B-)
2. Successful completion of all coursework for degree program (cumulative GPA 2.7 or higher)
3. Successful completion of all Embedded Signature Assessments
4. Satisfactory dispositions
5. Passing score of all ISBE requirements

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