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DeGarmo Hall

About

Educator preparation is a university-wide effort that includes five colleges and enrolls more than 4,000 students. More than one-fifth of Illinois State students are enrolled in an educator preparation program. 

Check out the Student Life and Academics sections to learn about life as a Redbird, affordability, and our nationally recognized teacher education programs.

Points of Pride

College of Education

  • The College of Education is the oldest college in the University and enrolls more than 3,000 students across its doctoral, master’s, and undergraduate education programs.
  • The College of Education has been continuously accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) or the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) since 1954.
  • The College of Education's faculty and staff secured $7.05 million in external grants and contracts in 2020.

Professional Education Units

  • Illinois State University is ranked the twelfth best college offering degrees in education in the U.S., according to College Factual.
  • Illinois State University was the largest preparer of teachers in the Midwest and the fourth largest producer of teachers in the nation from 2015-2020.
  • Ranked as the best college offering degrees in special education in the United States, according to College Factual.
  • Illinois State is one of only two schools in the nation with both a low vision and a deaf and hard hearing program, and is one of only eight schools offering an undergraduate low vision program.
  • More Illinois State graduates have earned National Board Certification, the gold standard for accomplished teaching, than alumni from any other university in the Midwest, among reporting teachers. 
  • ISU teacher candidates score significantly higher on the edTPA compared to the rest of the state and country.
  • The Professional Education Unit includes 44 education programs.
  • There are over 60,000 Illinois State education alumni living and working in all 50 states and 68 countries worldwide.
  • During the 2021-2022 school year, the College of Education awarded over 416 education scholarships totaling more than $691,000.
  • More than 96% of teacher education graduates received a "proficient" or "excellent" teacher evaluation over the last three years.
  • More than 80% of our students were employed in public schools in Illinois over the last three years.

Laboratory Schools

  • The University Laboratory Schools includes Thomas Metcalf School and University High School and serves 1,000 students.
  • 27 percent of Laboratory School teachers are National Board Certified Teachers (NBCT) or are completing National Board Certification, compared to 3 percent nationwide.
  • Founded in 1857, Illinois State's Laboratory Schools are among the oldest and largest in the U.S.
  • Teacher candidates engage in approximately 40,000 clinical hours at Metcalf School and University High School each year.
  • University High School is considered to be the 32nd Best Public High School and the 27th Best Public High School for STEM in Illinois according to Niche in 2021.

University

  • Illinois State made  U.S. News & World Report 's 2021 rankings of America's best public national universities at No. 98, based on academic quality and excellence. It ranked 80th best graduate school for education.
  • Washington Monthly  ranked the University 10th best college for the money in the Midwest in 2020. 
  • Founded in 1857, Illinois State was the first public university in Illinois. 

Visitor Information

2024-07-30T13:26:35.359679694-07:00 2024