- Agriculture Education
If you plan to be involved in agricultural programs as a secondary/post-secondary education teacher this specialization is for you. It’s also good for those interested in the related communication, extension and industry fields. Our students will complete the course requirements for teacher licensure in secondary agricultural education, and also have the option of completing training for teacher licensure in other majors, including biology, math, physical sciences and social sciences.
Learn more about Agriculture Education.
- Art Education
We offer this specialization within liberal arts (Bachelor of Arts) as well as in the professional (Bachelor of Fine Arts) curriculum format. When you complete either art education program, you will complete a project that emphasizes both theory and practice and you will be prepared to be licensed and teach in public schools. The Bachelor of Fine Arts degree program offers more art and design studio electives, so graduates of this program are better prepared to teach studio arts in American schools or continue with advanced studies in art or art education. Teachers, scholars, artists and designers will find we have a very comprehensive program.
Learn more about Art Education.
- Early Childhood Education
We offer two early childhood specializations, each focusing on educating and caring for children from birth to age eight:
- Preschool/Primary – is for you if you would like to teach children from birth through grade three in a public school setting. This specialization prepares you to obtain an Illinois Professional educator License with early childhood endorsement.
- Child and Family Services – is for you if you’re interested in a career working with children and their families within agencies serving children and families or in non-public school settings. Numerous career avenues are available, including parent educator, early intervention, childcare director and more.
Learn more about Early Childhood Education.
- Elementary Education
Would you like to teach children in grades 1-6? If so, our bachelor’s degree in education with elementary education the elementary education major paves the way. We prepare you to obtain the Illinois Professional Educator License for elementary teachers and accept jobs in self-contained or departmentalized classrooms. Our comprehensive program assures students are competent in technology, language arts, elementary education, common core and professional and core teaching standards and that they are versed in acceptable professional behavior.
Learn more about Elementary Education.
- English Language Arts
If you enjoy English, language arts and literature, perhaps a career as a high school English teacher is in your future. You’ll prepare with courses focusing on methods of teaching English, adolescent literature, language analysis and other English and literature topics, including English and Irish literature. The classes prepare you for the Illinois Professional Educator License.
Learn more about English Teacher Education.
- Foreign Language Education
You can prepare for a career teaching German and Spanish in grades K-12 in our Foreign Language Education program. Class scheduling is completed with the appropriate adviser from the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures. Students specializing in German and Spanish teacher education apply for admission to the Teacher Education Program upon completion of 30 semester hours of credit and after completion of a series of specific requirements, they qualify for student teaching and for the Illinois Professional Educator License.
Learn more about Foreign Language Education.
- History Education
This program prepares graduates to serve as social science educators at the secondary level. The bachelor’s in history education prepares you to receive the Professional Educator License (PEL) with the social science – history teaching endorsement.
Learn more about History Education.
- Mathematics Education
If you’re interested in mathematics, there are several paths you can follow at SIU. As an undergraduate mathematics major you may work toward a Bachelor of Science degree in the College of Science or in the School of Education, or a Bachelor of Arts degree in the College of Liberal Arts. Our math classes are small and taught by senior faculty members. We have a strong support system with college and department advisers to help you throughout the year. If you complete a math major. Completing the mathematics major in the School of Education prepares you to teach in middle and high schools.
Learn more about Math Education
- Music Education
If your passion is music, consider our bachelor’s degree in music education, a professional degree that makes you eligible for Illinois licensure to teach music in public schools. Students in this program must pass a 10-minute juried performance on your primary instrument, the Upper Divisional Exam. Performed in front of the School of Music faculty it is usually taken at the end of your sophomore year spring semester.
Learn more about Music Education.
- Science Education
If you’re interested in teaching high school science, check out our biological sciences/biology education major, which prepares you to earn a Professional Educator License for science with a designation in biology. You will learn about the various life sciences – microbiology, physiology, plant biology and zoology from SIU’s science faculty, assuring you’re well-qualified to teach others.
Learn more about Science Education.
- Special Education
- School Administration - Master's / Doctoral
Advance your career in education. Our educational administration program will give you the knowledge and help you develop the skills and aptitudes that you need to be a qualified, dedicated and caring school administrator. Our graduates are ready to assume the responsibilities of building- and district-level school leadership. We offer three program options:master’s program with principal endorsement, superintendent endorsement program, and the doctoral program with superintendent endorsement.
Upon completion of our principal preparation program you will be prepared to assume the responsibilities of principal, assistant principal or similar position at the Pre-K through grade 12 levels. Our goal is for graduates to be highly effective leaders who improve the teaching and increase the academic achievement and development of students they oversee.
Continue your professional growth and education and advance your career by taking the next step. You will be prepared to assume the responsibilities of a school district superintendent after completing this endorsement program. Our curriculum is designed to help you develop the skills and aptitudes you need to be a proficient, dedicated caring administrator. We give you two options:
- School Support Personnel -Master's
Reading Specialist Program
Our reading specialist program prepares teachers for specialized positions as reading teachers and/or reading specialists We offer master’s and doctoral level reading and language studies to increase your literacy instruction knowledge and help you grow as a teacher.
Contact Lavern Byfield, Coordinator for Language Literacies and Culture at 618-536-2441 or byfield2@siu.edu
Prepare for a career as a nationally certified speech-language pathologist in our Communication Disorders and Sciences (CDS) master’s program. Learn to identify, prevent and treat communication disorders and you will be ready for jobs in a variety of settings, including schools, hospitals and private practice. During the program, you will have two semesters of clinic internships and enjoy opportunities for clinical, research and mentorships collaborations with our faculty. Our program is accredited by the Council of Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA), which is part of the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA).
If you want to have a positive, life-changing effect on young people, consider becoming a school counselor. Our students work with schools in surrounding communities so they fully understand and can be responsive to the diverse economic, social and cultural needs of children in rural and urban school settings. Your study will include a 600-hour internship experience in local schools, putting into practice what you’ve learned.
Our program is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) and prepares you for certification and/or initial licensure in your specialty area.
School social workers can make a huge difference in the lives of students. They play a vital role on the school’s educational team and we will prepare you for this role. We’ll help you understand how school, home, family and community impact children and interpret those influences and help children. We pave the way for you to obtain your state school social work licensure, required in order to work in the position in a public school.
