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Secondary Education Degrees in Illinois

Education is a diverse, challenging, and often very demanding field. That makes it all the more rewarding when you can make a difference in a student’s life and see them succeed. Education is of particular importance in states like Illinois, where the population density is high and school districts are charged with meeting the needs of students from different socioeconomic backgrounds. Consider a career in secondary education if you want to help create a bright future for Illinois. You can find programs on our page and request information to help you decide which school is best for you.

The field of education is undergoing enormous change in Illinois, which means that schools need devoted teachers more than ever. There are fewer superintendents, more students, and greater expectations of students. Schools look to teachers to reach student assessment goals.

As the Daily Herald reports, more and more Illinois students are qualifying for special education. Newly-graduated teachers that have been taught about inclusion in mainstream classrooms are an important asset in Illinois classrooms.

The role of secondary education is clear. If you’re patient and ready to help adolescents learn the life skills they need to succeed as adults, contact secondary education programs in Illinois for more information.

Overview of Secondary Education Programs in Illinois

The first step to finding a secondary education program in Illinois is deciding which type of degree you want to earn. Those without any post-high school education may choose to earn a Bachelor’s degree, which takes four years of full-time study. With a Bachelor’s degree in education or a relevant subject area, you may be a good fit for a Master’s degree program in Illinois. Those who want to get licensed as quickly as possible with a Bachelor’s degree may be interested in alternative certification programs.

Whichever certification route you choose, your curriculum may be fairly similar, as you need a diverse set of skills to work efficiently in a classroom. You may begin with core classes like Identity and Difference in Education, Social Justice in Education, Educational Psychology, and Education Practice in a Secondary Setting.

High-level education courses include Theory Practice in Secondary School Teaching, Teaching Mathematics in Secondary Settings, and Principles of Teaching Adolescents. All of these courses build up to the student teaching requirement of your education, which tests your ability to adapt to situations, apply theory to real-life situations, and work in a classroom.

Student teaching requires about 50 hours per week of work and lasts for one semester, so you typically cannot work during your final semester of school. Performing well as a student teacher can lead to job recommendations, letters of reference, and strong professional connections.

Working in Secondary Education in Illinois

The Illinois State Board of Education is the licensing board for teaching professionals in this state. You must submit your transcript to the board after graduation, take the PRAXIS-II, and thoroughly complete a license application.

Each year between 2012 and 2022, O*Net anticipates the creation of over 1,500 new secondary teaching jobs in Illinois. In addition, O*Net estimates indicate that a secondary teacher in Illinois earns an average of $64,100 per year. This is nearly $10,000 higher than the national average (O*Net, 2013).

If you are ready to delve into the world of teaching, contact the Illinois secondary education programs today you see on our site today.