State hub

How to become a teacher in Illinois

Prep providers

Completers

5,521

Newly licensed

12,044

Colleges (IPEDS)

240

Credential rules change. Confirm current requirements with Illinois State Board of Education.

Steps drawn from the state's data

Earn a bachelor's degree. At least one initial credential requires one.
Complete a teacher preparation program. Illinois has 52 Title II providers.
Complete clinical experience such as student teaching.
Pass the tests the state requires (Title II reports that tests are required, not which ones).
Complete a background check or fingerprinting.
Apply to Illinois State Board of Education for an initial credential, such as Career and Technical Educator; Early Childhood Education; Elementary Education; Provisional Career and Technical Educator.
Career changers can use one of 1 alternative routes instead of a traditional program.

Illinois teacher certification Alternative routes

Teacher preparation providers in Illinois

Provider	Program types	Enrollment	Completers
Augustana College	Traditional	175	56
Aurora University	Traditional	420	104
Benedictine University	Traditional	59	10
Blackburn College	Traditional	107	55
Bradley University	Traditional	180	48
Chicago State University	Traditional	326	37
Concordia University	Traditional	288	68
DePaul University	Traditional	627	236
Dominican University	Traditional; Alternative, IHE-based	152	58
Eastern Illinois University	Traditional	861	173
Elmhurst University	Traditional	314	73
Erikson Institute	Traditional	65	18
Eureka College	Traditional	31	13
Governors State University	Traditional	270	70
Greenville College	Traditional	119	45
Hebrew Theological College	Traditional	4	0
Illinois College	Traditional	79	31
Illinois State University	Traditional	4,207	971
Illinois Wesleyan University	Traditional	95	28
Judson University	Traditional	44	15
Knox College	Traditional	55	25
Lake Forest College	Traditional	40	19
Lewis University	Traditional	366	129
Loyola University of Chicago	Traditional	336	84
McKendree College	Traditional	407	47
Millikin University	Traditional	132	50
Monmouth College	Traditional	33	20
National-Louis University	Traditional; Alternative, IHE-based	2,903	618
North Central College	Traditional	173	48
North Park University	Traditional	269	74
Northeastern Illinois University	Traditional	578	198
Northern Illinois University	Traditional	1,077	288
Northwestern University	Traditional	51	28
Olivet Nazarene University	Traditional	247	49
Quincy University	Traditional	81	27
Relay Graduate School of Education-IL	Alternative, IHE-based	407	132
Rockford University	Traditional	246	65
Roosevelt University	Traditional; Alternative, IHE-based	204	78
Saint Xavier University	Traditional; Alternative, IHE-based	408	119
School of the Art Institute of Chicago	Traditional	34	11
Southern Illinois - Edwardsville	Traditional	376	146
Southern Illinois Univ - Carbondale	Traditional	472	119
Trinity Christian College	Traditional	236	57
Trinity International University	Traditional	7	5
U. of Illinois at Urbana/Champaign	Traditional	702	343
University of Chicago	Traditional	0	0
University of Illinois at Chicago	Traditional; Alternative, IHE-based	790	296
University of Illinois at Springfield	Traditional	202	49
University of Saint Francis	Traditional	131	44
VanderCook College of Music	Traditional	42	17

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About teacher preparation in Illinois

VISION

Each and every child is equipped to make meaningful contributions to society and live life to its fullest potential.

MISSION

Provide each and every child with safe and healthy learning conditions, great educators, and equitable opportunities by practicing data-informed stewardship of resources and policy development, all done in partnership with educators, families, and stakeholders.

EQUITY STATEMENT

Illinois has an urgent and collective responsibility to achieve educational equity by ensuring that all policies, programs, and practices affirm the strengths that each and every child brings within their diverse backgrounds and life experiences, and by delivering the comprehensive supports, programs, and educational opportunities they need to succeed.

GOALS

Student Learning: Every child will make significant academic gains each year, increasing their knowledge, skills, and opportunities so they graduate equipped to pursue a successful future, with the state paying special attention to addressing historic inequities.

Learning Conditions: All schools will receive the resources necessary to create safe, healthy, and welcoming learning environments, and will be equipped to meet the unique academic and social and emotional needs of each and every child.

Elevating Educators: Illinois’ diverse student population will have educators who are prepared through multiple pathways and are supported in and celebrated for their efforts to provide each and every child an education that meets their needs.