NIU Certification Programs

NIU has one of the largest certification programs among Illinois universities. The university offers 34 educator certification programs: 26 at the initial level and 8 at the advanced level.

Initial Teacher Preparation Programs

Early Childhood Education	Science - Biology
Elementary Education	Science - Chemistry
English Language Arts	Science - Physics
Family and Consumer Science	Social Science - Economics
Foreign Language - French	Social Science - Geography
Foreign Language - German	Social Science - History
Foreign Language - Spanish	Social Science - Political Science
Health Education	Social Science - Psychology
Mathematics	Social Science - Sociology/Anthropology
Music	Special Education - LBS l
Physical Education	Special Education - Blind/Visual Impaired
Science - Earth/Space Science	Special Education - Deaf/Hard of Hearing
Science - Environmental Science	Visual Arts

 

Advanced Certification Programs

Library Information Specialist	School Counselor
Principal/General Administration	School Psychologist
Reading Specialist	Speech Language Pathologist
School Business Official	Superintendent

More than 7000 students are enrolled in these certification programs, and the university annually recommends more than 700 candidates for certification. Most NIU certification programs reach their maximum enrollment each year.

More than 25,000 NIU education graduates are currently teaching or serving in other positions in Illinois elementary and secondary schools.