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EDUC

This program is not currently available for admission.

The Bachelor of Science program in Middle Grades Education prepares teachers for eligibility for a teaching license and two IL endorsements in grades 5-8 (ie., Math & Science; Language Arts and Social Science).  

The mission of the DePaul University College of Education’s Middle Grades Teacher Education Program is to prepare educators who have passion for, understanding of, and commitment to working with young adolescents. We prepare educators who foster equitable, intellectually rich, socially just, and compassionate learning environments for diverse middle level youth. To accomplish this goal, our program is designed to cultivate in teacher candidates the pedagogical skills, subject area understandings, and social conscience necessary to enact thoughtful teaching practice. We aim to prepare critical, creative educators who continually reflect on and inquire into their practices in order to further their own and their students’ learning. Our teacher candidates develop a broad understanding of the contextual factors that impact the teaching, learning and growth of middle grade learners, including the ways in which society shapes our views of middle grades learners and the social,emotional, cognitive, spiritual, and physical dimensions of healthy adolescence. Through the integration of course work and field experiences, candidates learn about and apply interdisciplinary theories and practices that enable them to promote the intellectual curiosity, personal and academic excellence, and social and self-awareness of diverse middle level youth.

Students entering the program must be able and willing to devote themselves to a program requiring a minimum of 100-110 hours of daytime field experiences in schools. These school-based clinical hours are completed in conjunction with methodology courses that require students to spend daytime hours in schools. In addition, the student must spend a minimum of 10 weeks in full-time student teaching. 

Please make sure you consult the Liberal Studies Requirements, Major Requirements, and College Core Requirements for full degree requirements.

Licensure

Illinois Professional Educator License with endorsement in Middle Grades Education (grades 5 - 8), an Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) approved program.

Program Requirements Quarter Hours
Liberal Studies Requirements 86
​Major Requirements 106
Total hours required 192

Learning Outcomes

​Students will be able to:

  • Use knowledge of young adolescent learners to create safe, equitable, and meaningful learning environments and collaborative classrooms.
  • Demonstrate and apply disciplinary and pedagogical content knowledge with an emphasis on developing students' conceptual understanding and disciplinary literacy.
  • Plan and deliver instruction that demonstrates knowledge of young adolescent learners and content.
  • Implement assessment practices to evaluate student learning and inform instruction.
  • Exhibit professionalism, pursue personal growth, and advocate for young adolescent learners and their communities.

College Core Requirements

Dispositions

The College of Education expects its students to demonstrate the following dispositions and competencies across coursework, field experiences, clinical placements, and professional interactions. These competencies reflect professional, ethical, and inclusive practice aligned with state licensure requirements, accreditation standards, and our Vincentian mission to prepare effective and socially responsible professionals. We recognize that some concepts can be interpreted subjectively and have at times disproportionately impacted marginalized communities. Accordingly, our dispositions are applied with attention to equity, transparency, and cultural responsiveness. Faculty, staff, and students are encouraged to consult the standards of relevant professional organizations and accrediting bodies for specific expectations within their fields and engage in ongoing dialogue about these dispositions to raise questions, address concerns, and ensure fair and equitable implementation.

Justice and Ethical Responsibility

Student acts with integrity, ensuring their decisions and actions promote justice in all academic and professional standards.

Measures:

  • Follows all ethical, legal, and professional standards, including confidentiality and mandated reporting requirements.
  • Demonstrates accountability in academic and professional decisions and actions.
  • Advocates for and enacts equitable and just practices that protect the dignity, safety, and well-being of others.

Diversity and Cultural Responsiveness

Student respects diverse identities, cultures, and experiences to foster equitable and inclusive interactions in all learning and professional settings.

Measures:

  • Reflects on personal values, biases, and assumptions.
  • Adapts learning and practice to meet the needs of diverse individuals and communities.
  • Promotes respect and equity in interactions across classroom and professional settings.

Leadership and Professional Growth

Student takes ownership of their learning and professional growth and applies knowledge thoughtfully to address challenges, improve practice, and support positive learning and professional environments.

Measures:

  • Seeks opportunities to advance knowledge, skills, and professional growth.
  • Reflects on experiences and feedback to improve and innovate practice.
  • Applies knowledge and skills to solve problems or to improve outcomes in academic, professional, and field settings.

Collaboration and Professional Relationships

Student builds positive relationships and collaborates effectively in all academic and professional settings.

Measures:

  • Communicates respectfully and professionally with peers, staff, faculty, supervisors, and community partners.
  • Incorporates feedback to improve collaborative work and interactions.
  • Maintains interpersonal and professional boundaries.

Professionalism and Communication

Student models professionalism by engaging responsibly and communicating respectfully within all learning and professional contexts, recognizing that professional norms may vary across cultural, community, and institutional contexts.

Measures:

  • Demonstrates professional behavior, including preparedness, punctuality, and attire and language.
  • Communicates clearly, respectfully, and effectively in verbal, nonverbal, and written forms.
  • Follows guidelines, policies, and procedures in classrooms, professional, and field settings.

Skill Building Courses

Upon admission, students must take the DePaul placement tests to determine if their skills are at the college level for math and writing. If placement indicates students need to build additional skills in these areas, the courses must be completed before taking higher level courses, ideally in the first year at DePaul. Students must consult with their advisor regarding placement test results and any required classes.

Modern Language Requirement

Students pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree in the College of Education are required to demonstrate a measure of competence in a modern language, as defined by the college.

Such competence may be demonstrated in one of several ways:

  • completing two years of a language sequence in high school
  • completing the last course in the first-year college sequence of any language
  • completing a college course beyond the first-year level in any language
  • achieving a satisfactory score on any of the Modern Language placement examinations administered at DePaul
  • achieving a satisfactory rating in a proficiency examination accepted by DePaul
  • achieving a score of 3 or higher on the Advance Placement (AP) test for any language
  • achieving a score of 5 or higher in the Language B assessment from a Standard or Higher Level International Baccalaureate (IB) program
  • achieving a satisfactory score on the CLEP examination
  • credit awarded for the Seal of Biliteracy

Please note: Modern Languages courses with an E-designation are taught in English and may not be applied to the Modern Language Requirement. Modern Languages courses with an E-designation are taught in English and may not be applied to the Language for Liberal Studies Option.

For further information regarding satisfactory scores and possible credit from the DePaul placement, AP, CLEP, or IB examinations, please contact the Office of the University Registrar.

Students who complete an Inter-College Transfer (ICT) to the College of Education will abide by the COE Modern Language Requirement in place on the effective date of the ICT.

B.A. students who meet College requirements and wish to pursue further work in the language may elect the Language for Liberal Studies Option of the Liberal Studies Program. While B.S. students are not required to demonstrate competency in a modern language, the Language for Liberal Studies Option is available to them for language study at any level. 

Teacher Preparation

Field Experience

Each student pursuing licensure in the College of Education must complete structured Field Experiences in schools and sites aligned with their area of licensure in conjunction with designated education courses. Field Experience hours must be completed across a variety of settings and grade levels, include work with diverse student populations, and involve experiences in special education settings. Field Experiences must be completed during the quarter in which the course is taken and align with the completion of required course assignments. In addition to the requirements above, students must complete the minimum total Field Experience hours required by their program to be eligible for Student Teaching. All hours must be submitted by the student and approved by faculty in the Field Experience Hours Log upon completion each quarter and verified by the Field Experience & Student Teaching Office before final approval for Student Teaching. 

Student Teaching Requirements

Student Teaching is the culminating course for teacher candidates. It is an onsite experience in classrooms. The course requires candidates to be in schools and sites full-time. As the culmination of their teacher preparation program, it requires candidates to demonstrate their preparedness to teach, including reflecting the skills and sensibilities set out by the various professional organizations and the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE). A capstone course is required in the same quarter as student teaching.

All students in teacher preparation programs must meet the following requirements prior to enrollment in Student Teaching and the capstone course:

Academic & Clinical Requirements

  • Complete all courses required for the degree (including Liberal Studies, Learning Domains, major coursework, concentration/content area courses, minors, and electives)
  • Complete all program-required Field Experience hours
  • Achieve a minimum overall cumulative GPA of 2.50
  • Meet all other program requirements (e.g., modern language requirement, residency requirement, OPI test) 
  • Attempt the required Illinois licensure content area test in the primary licensure area and grade level*
  • Demonstrate satisfactory professional dispositions

*Secondary Education students placed in a middle grades classroom for Student Teaching must pass the middle grades content-area exam prior to Student Teaching and attempt the secondary content-area exam. Both exams must be passed to be eligible for licensure.

Student Teaching Preparation and Deadlines

  • Attend a Mandatory Student Teaching Informational Session approximately 2-3 quarters prior to expected quarter of Student Teaching
  • Meet with an Academic Advisor to confirm academic eligibility and timeline
  • Submit Student Teaching Application after meeting with an Academic Advisor, approximately 2-3 quarters prior to Student Teaching; application includes site preferences, resume, unofficial transcripts, FERPA release form, and writing sample
  • Submit and complete any additional placement school/district application materials and/or clearance requirements by the noted deadlines
  • Meet all academic requirements and professional disposition expectations by the quarter preceding Student Teaching, and continue to meet them through that quarter
  • Attempt content area test(s) no later than 2 months prior to student teaching start date
  • Attend Student Teaching Orientation in the weeks prior to the start of the Student Teaching experience

Students are expected to meet all stated requirements, procedures, and associated deadlines related to their Student Teaching placement. An eligibility review will be conducted approximately one month prior to the start of Student Teaching to confirm that all requirements and timelines have been satisfied. Failure to comply with these expectations within the established timelines may result in removal from the current placement or Student Teaching deferral to a future quarter. In cases where these expectations are not met, the Field Experience & Student Teaching Office may determine that continuation in the current placement is not appropriate. Decisions will be made at the discretion of the Field Experience & Student Teaching Office, following review of relevant information and, when feasible, communication with the student regarding the deficiency. The Field Experience & Student Teaching Office reserves the right to reassign or remove a student from their placement, considering the specific situation and any documented efforts to comply with requirements.

If a student or the program determines that the student will not complete Student Teaching but intends to finish the degree, the student must consult with the Program Director or Department Chair to identify appropriate substitute coursework. Approval of substitution courses is at the discretion of the Program Director or Department Chair, and such coursework will be equivalent in credit hours to the Student Teaching requirement. Completion of the capstone course remains mandatory as a university requirement. In these cases, a notation will be added to the student’s transcript stating: “Completion of degree requirements did not lead to eligibility for licensure.”

Licensure

Requirements for licensure include completion of a full educator preparation program, all licensure content tests (including OPI for world language endorsements), and an awarded bachelor’s degree. Student teaching must be passed with a minimum grade of B- or higher and the capstone course with a minimum grade of C or higher.

Upon finishing all requirements, DePaul sends notifications to ISBE to verify completion of requirements. Then students must submit an application in the ISBE system (ELIS). Application requirements include an application form, application fee, official transcripts, and registration fee.

All individuals must meet ISBE requirements in place at the time of application for the license. Requirements are subject to change at the discretion of ISBE.

Individuals seeking subsequent (additional) endorsements after applying for licensure must contact a College of Education Licensure Officer to determine next steps. Additional courses, tests, and fees may be required as per ISBE requirements.

Licensure Tests

All individuals pursuing a Professional Educator License (PEL) issued by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) are required to pass a content area exam specific to their primary teaching area. Students wishing to add endorsements to their license will also be required to pass any additional content area exams in the desired endorsement area. The Academic Success Center can provide tutoring, workshops, online resources, and practice tests.

Endorsements

An endorsement is a credential on a Professional Educator License (PEL) that identifies the specific subjects or grade level that the license holder is authorized to teach.

The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) issues endorsements in various subject areas. To view the full list and requirements, visit the ISBE website.

Please note that the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) may change the licensure and endorsement requirements at any time and without prior notice. Individuals are bound by the requirements in place when applying for the license or endorsement, not the requirements in place when they began the program.

Teacher Performance Assessment

A Teacher Performance Assessment (TPA) is a subject-specific, performance-based assessment for teacher candidates designed to demonstrate their ability to plan, teach, assess, and reflect on instruction. A TPA is designed to measure an educator’s knowledge, skills, and preparedness in a real-world teaching context. A teacher performance assessment requirement for Illinois licensure is waived until September 1, 2029. Illinois will develop and pilot a state-developed teacher performance assessment between 2026 and 2029 (see Public Act 104-0128.)

Beginning in the 2026-2027 academic year, the College of Education may participate in the ISBE pilot program for a new Illinois Teacher Performance Assessment (ILTPA). If the college participates, the ILTPA will be required as part of the Student Teaching course. Additional information about pilot requirements and procedures will be provided to Student Teaching instructors and students when it is received from ISBE.

The new Illinois TPA may require a fee to complete. In addition, candidates may be required to earn a minimum passing score in order to successfully complete the assessment and be eligible for licensure.

Non-Licensure Programs: Exercise Science 

Field Experience & Observations

Each Exercise Science student in the College of Education must complete structured Field Experiences & Site Observations in sites aligned with their concentration in conjunction with designated KNES courses. Field Experience hours must be completed across a variety of settings and include work with diverse populations. Field Experiences must be completed during the quarter in which the course is taken and align with the completion of required course assignments. In addition to the requirements above, students must complete the minimum total Field Experience hours required by their program to be eligible for their internships. All hours must be submitted by the student and approved by faculty in the Field Experience Hours Log upon completion each quarter and verified by the Field Experience & Student Teaching Office before final approval for internship.

Internship Requirements

Internship is the culminating course for Exercise Science students. It is an onsite experience. The course requires candidates to be in sites full-time. As the culmination of their program, it requires candidates to demonstrate their Exercise Science knowledge, including reflecting the skills and sensibilities set out by the program. A capstone course is required in the same quarter as the internship.

All students in internship programs must meet the following requirements prior to enrollment in internship and the capstone course:

Academic & Clinical Requirements

  • Complete all courses required for the degree (including Liberal Studies, Learning Domains, major coursework, concentration/content area courses, minors, and electives)
  • Complete all program-required Field Experience hours
  • Achieve a minimum overall cumulative GPA of 2.50
  • Meet all other program requirements (e.g., modern language requirement, residency requirement) 
  • Demonstrate satisfactory professional dispositions

Internship Preparation and Deadlines

  • Attend a Mandatory Internship Informational Session approximately 2-3 quarters prior to expected quarter of internship
  • Meet with an Academic Advisor to confirm academic eligibility and timeline
  • Submit Internship Application after meeting with an Academic Advisor, approximately 2-3 quarters prior to Internship.
  • Submit and complete any additional placement application materials and/or clearance requirements by the noted deadlines
  • Meet all academic requirements and professional disposition expectations one quarter by the quarter preceding Internship, and continue to meet them through that quarter
  • Attend Internship Orientation in the weeks prior to the start of the internship experience

Students are expected to meet all stated requirements, procedures, and associated deadlines related to their Internship placement. An eligibility review will be conducted approximately one month prior to the start of the internship to confirm that all requirements and timelines have been satisfied. Failure to comply with these expectations within the established timelines may result in removal from the current placement or Internship deferral to a future quarter. In cases where these expectations are not met, the Field Experience & Student Teaching Office may determine that continuation in the current placement is not appropriate. Decisions will be made at the discretion of the Field Experience & Student Teaching Office, following review of relevant information and, when feasible, communication with the student regarding the deficiency. The Field Experience & Student Teaching Office reserves the right to reassign or remove a student from their placement, considering the specific situation and any documented efforts to comply with the requirements.

If a student or the program determines that the student will not complete Internship but intends to finish the degree, the student must consult with the Program Director or Department Chair to identify appropriate substitute coursework. Approval of substitution courses is at the discretion of the Program Director or Department Chair, and such coursework will be equivalent in credit hours to the Internship requirement. Completion of the capstone course remains mandatory as a university requirement.

Degree Conferral & Graduation

The awarding of a degree is not automatic. The student must submit an application to be considered for the degree. The university awards and posts degrees at the end of each regular academic term (autumn, winter, spring, summer).

It is the student’s responsibility to initiate the degree conferral process by submitting an online application. Submitting an application indicates the student’s intent to complete all degree requirements by the end of the term for which the application is submitted.

Undergraduate students must be approved for student teaching and complete student teaching and capstone to be cleared for the degree. Students must submit a graduation application for the quarter that corresponds with term in which Student Teaching is completed.

Once the application has been submitted, the student may not register for any term after the one selected in the application.

To apply for degree conferral, log on to Campus Connect. Select “Advising, Progress & Graduation,” then “Apply for Graduation.”  The on-screen instructions will take you through the application process.

Provided that all requirements and financial obligations are met, degrees are posted 30 days after the official end of the term. Official dates are listed on the Academic Calendar.

DePaul holds one commencement ceremony each year in June. To participate, the student must first apply for degree conferral for the current academic year and then submit a cap and gown order.

Eligibility for the June Commencement ceremony is limited to students who complete the entirety of their program requirements, including student teaching, within the same academic year (prior to the ceremony). Students scheduled to complete student teaching in the fall quarter immediately following the ceremony may be granted special consideration to participate and graduate with their cohort, subject to program approval.

Additional information about degree conferral and graduation can be found on the Commencement website at https://resources.depaul.edu/commencement/Pages/default.aspx

Liberal Studies Requirements

Honors program requirements can be found in the individual Colleges & Schools section of the University Catalog. Select the appropriate college or school, followed by Undergraduate Academics and scroll down.

Plan of Study Grid
First Year ProgramHours
Chicago Quarter
LSP 110
DISCOVER CHICAGO
or EXPLORE CHICAGO
4
Focal Point
LSP 112 FOCAL POINT SEMINAR 4
Writing
WRD 103 COMPOSITION AND RHETORIC I 1 4
WRD 104 COMPOSITION AND RHETORIC II 1 4
Quantitative Reasoning
MAT 120 QUANTITATIVE REASONING 2 4
Sophomore Year
Race, Power, and Resistance
LSP 200 SEMINAR ON RACE, POWER, AND RESISTANCE 4
Junior Year
Experiential Learning
Met by successful completion of required field experience hours.
Senior Year
Capstone
Required 1,3
1

Students must earn a C- or better in this course.

2

Readiness for MAT 120 is determined by the math placement test taken online after admission. Students may need to take developmental coursework prior to MAT 120. Students who complete MAT 120 and both a Computational Reasoning course and a Statistical Reasoning course in the Math and Computing Learning Domain take one less Learning Domain course. Students may not apply the course reduction to any Domain where only one course is required, and cannot be applied to the Scientific Inquiry Learning Domain.  The MAT 120 requirement may be waived by passing a dedicated proficiency exam or it may be fulfilled by credit for advanced math coursework earned  in-residence at DePaul (MAT 135MAT 136MAT 147MAT 148MAT 149MAT 150MAT 151MAT 152 MAT 155MAT 156, or equivalent) or earned externally either as transfer credit from another college/university or as test credit through AP, CLEP, IB, or International A and A/S Level exams. Calculus course(s) may be used to fulfill any of the three QR/MCD requirements.

3

This must be taken along with student teaching. Students must earn a C or better in this course.

Learning Domains

Arts and Literature (AL)

  • 3 Courses Required

Historical Inquiry (HI)

  • 2 Courses Required
    (Note: One must be in US History.)

Math and Computing (MC)

  • 2 Courses Required
    [1 CR Course and 1 SR Course]

Philosophical Inquiry (PI)

  • 2 Courses Required:

Religious Dimensions (RD)

  • 2 Courses Required

Scientific Inquiry (SI)

  • 2 Courses Required:
    • 1 BIO Course
    • 1 CHE/ENV/GEO/PHY Course
      (Note: One course above must be SI-LAB.)

Social, Cultural, and Behavioral Inquiry (SCBI)  

  • 3 Courses Required:

Notes

Specified required courses within Liberal Studies may have grade minimums (e.g. C- or better). Please consult your advisor or your college and major requirements.​​

Courses offered in the student's primary major cannot be taken to fulfill LSP Domain requirements. If students double major, LSP Domain courses may double count for both LSP credit and the second major. 

In meeting learning domain requirements, no more than one course that is outside the student’s major and is cross-listed with a course within the student’s major, can be applied to count for LSP domain credit. This policy does not apply to those who are pursuing a double major or earning BFA or BM degrees.

Major Requirements

Course Requirements

First Content Area Course: 24 hours required, grade of C or better required

A content area is a single area of study in language arts, math, science, or social science (cannot include coursework in Education). At least two courses must be at the 200 or higher level.

Language Arts
  • Introduction to Literature Course or a Survey of Literature Course
  • Poetry course
  • Grammar or Composition course
  • Young adult, graphic novel, or advisor-approved course
  • Diverse traditions or multicultural literature course
  • Writing course
Mathematics
  • Introduction to math reasoning course
  • Geometry course
  • History of math course
  • Probability and statistics course
  • Calculus course
  • Math modeling, Programming language, or advisor-approved course
Science
  • General biology (life science) course
  • General chemistry (physical science) course
  • General Earth science (Earth/space science) course
  • General environmental science (Earth/space science) course
  • General physics (physical science) course
  • Science course (advisor-approved)
Social Science
  • History course
  • Geography course
  • Civics/government course
  • Economics course
  • Social Science course (advisor-approved)
  • Social Science course (advisor-approved)

Note that individuals can receive a reduction of 1 course in this area based on courses taken in the learning domains. This applies only to language arts, math, or social science. Talk to your advisor about applying the reduction.

Second Content Area: 20 hours required, grade of C or better required 

A content area is a single area of study in language arts, math, science, or social science. The second content area must be a different area than the one chosen as the primary content area (cannot include coursework in Education). At least two courses must be at the 200 or higher level.

Language Arts
  • Introduction to Literature Course or a Survey of Literature Course
  • Poetry course
  • Grammar or Composition course
  • Young adult, graphic novel, or advisor-approved course
  • Diverse traditions or multicultural literature course
Mathematics
  • Introduction to math reasoning course
  • Geometry course
  • Probability and statistics course
  • Calculus course
  • Math modeling, Programming language, or advisor-approved course
Science
  • General biology (life science) course
  • General chemistry (physical science) course
  • General Earth science (Earth/space science) course
  • General environmental science (Earth/space science) course
  • General physics (physical science) course
Social Science
  • History course
  • Geography course
  • Civics/government course
  • Economics course
  • Social Science course (advisor-approved)

Introductory Courses (Junior Standing): 30 quarter hours required, grade of C or better required

Course Title Quarter Hours
SCU 207SOCIAL AND HISTORICAL ISSUES IN EDUCATION4
MGE 300INTRODUCTION TO MIDDLE GRADES EDUCATION4
MGE 311SUPERVISED FIELD EXPERIENCE1
SCU 335YOUNG ADOLESCENT DEVELOPMENT IN CONTEXT4
MGE 301LITERACY IN THE MIDDLE GRADES CONTENT AREAS I4
MGE 331SUPERVISED FIELD EXPERIENCE1
BBE 350ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS IN THE MIDDLE GRADES4
MGE 321THE WHOLE CHILD: CONCEPTIONS OF HEALTHY YOUNG ADOLESCENCE4
SER 387FOUNDATIONS OF LITERACY AND SPECIAL EDUCATION FOR THE MIDDLE GRADES4

Advanced Courses (Senior Standing): 22 quarter hours required, grade of C or better required

Course Title Quarter Hours
MGE 341CURRICULAR LITERACY IN THE MIDDLE GRADES CONTENT AREAS II4
CSL 377SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING IN THE MIDDLE GRADES4
MGE 351ASSESSMENT PRACTICES IN THE MIDDLE GRADES4
MGE 361SUPERVISED FIELD EXPERIENCE1
Select two of the follownig (based on content concentration):8
THE TEACHING OF MATHEMATICS IN THE MIDDLE GRADES
THE TEACHING OF LANGUAGE ARTS IN THE MIDDLE GRADES
THE TEACHING OF SOCIAL STUDIES IN THE MIDDLE GRADES
THE TEACHING OF SCIENCE IN THE MIDDLE GRADES
MGE 381SUPERVISED FIELD EXPERIENCE1

Student Teaching: 10 quarter hours required, grade of B- or better required

Registration in student teaching requires completion of all requirements and procedures in the college core section. EDU 95 indicates to the Illinois State Board of Education that all field experience hours are complete. All students also take MGE 391, Student Teaching Seminar with student teaching (listed in the Liberal Studies section).

Course Title Quarter Hours
MGE 390STUDENT TEACHING10
EDU 95CLINICAL EXPERIENCE WITH CHILDREN AND YOUTH (non-credit, non-tuition, PA grade required)0

Minors

Students are eligible to complete any minor offered at DePaul University, including those related to the four Middle Grades Education content areas and to other areas of specialization in education. The minors related to the content areas and other areas of education include:

  • Bilingual Education
  • Biological Science
  • Chemistry
  • Coaching
  • Creative Writing
  • Economics
  • English as a Second Language
  • English as a Second Language/Bilingual Education
  • English Literature
  • Environmental Science
  • Exceptionality and Learning
  • Geography
  • Health
  • History
  • Mathematics
  • Physics
  • Special Education

To complete a minor, students must fulfill all of the requirements of that minor as identified by the minor’s home department or program.

Licensure Tests

All individuals licensed by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) are required to complete licensure tests specific to their teaching license. Middle Grades Education majors must complete the following tests: 

  • Content Area Test: Two tests are required before Student Teaching (deadlines apply). Students must take the test corresponding to each of their content areas – Language Arts (test #201), Math (test #202), Science (test #203), or Social Science (test #204).
  • EdTPA - assessment conducted during the student teaching experience including video clips of instruction, lesson plans, student work samples, analysis of student learning and reflective commentaries. Students will submit an electronic portfolio to an outside agency for independent evaluation and a fee will be imposed by that agency as part of the assessment.