School of Education & Social Policy
Course of Study

Program Overview

Northwestern University’s NU-TEACH alternative teacher certification program is a one-year accelerated course of study that prepares career changers and recent college graduates to teach in Chicago public and parochial schools.

 
Phase I (summer) of the program is conducted over an eight-week period, usually beginning in early June. It is an intensive course of study during which you complete course work and practice teaching under the supervision of a mentor teacher. State test scores, completion of class assignments including a portfolio, classroom observations of your teaching, and mentor evaluations form the basis for Northwestern's recommendation to the state for you to be issued a provisional teaching certificate.

Phase II (academic year) includes teaching in your discipline as full-time teacher in charge of a classroom. You will also attend a series of evening classes (usually averaging two a month) spanning the nine-month academic year. You will also be required to take and pass the State of Illinois Assessment of Professional Teaching (APT) exam.

Phase III (spring) involves the comprehensive assessment of your teaching and academic performance. You will be required to construct a professional development portfolio over the school year where you depict your teaching based on the strengths, needs and interests of the students you teach.
 
 
During Phases I, II and III you will receive grades for two courses each quarter. These grades are determined by the director of the NU-TEACH program and are based on a pass/fail system. Upon successful completion of this program, you will be awarded eight units of Northwestern University credit that is equivalent to approximately 21 semester hours.

Passing grades on the State of Illinois Test of Academic Proficiency (TAP) and relevant subject area and APT exams, the professional development portfolio, assessment of your classroom teaching, and recommendations by Northwestern faculty and staff form the basis for determining a recommendation for an Illinois Initial Teaching Certificate. In consultation with our program partners, the dean of the School of Education and Social Policy approves the final recommendations to the state for certification. 

 

Contact Us

 
Phone:
Mark Glenn at 847/467-6676

E-mail:
nu-teach@northwestern.edu
Address:
NU-TEACH
618 Garrett Place
Northwestern University
Evanston, IL 60208