The Teacher Preparation program at College of DuPage meets the needs of students planning to teach in elementary, secondary or special education settings. Many students enroll in the program to become educators or to take education courses for careers in youth counseling, criminal justice and parent teacher association leadership or to better understand your own children's schooling experience.
Students who successfully complete an Associate in Arts or an Associate in Science degree at College of DuPage can transfer to a state-approved teacher education program in which they complete the education requirements for Illinois teacher certification. A criminal background check is required for classroom observation and student teaching.
Determine Your Path
Whether you want to be an elementary, middle or high school teacher to help inspire other future generations, College of DuPage has the right program for you.
You want to attend a credible college that stands out from the rest. At COD, you'll discover:
- Dedicated instructors with years of experience working in education.
- Interactive courses available in-person and online.
- Collaborative organizations on campus to connect, learn and grow with other future educators.
- Affordable programs to help you achieve success without creating overwhelming debt or draining a savings account.
Education Transfer Pathway, Associate in Arts
Take the required general education courses you need to transfer to a baccalaureate institution and major in education.
Paraprofessional in Education
The Paraprofessional in Education certificate is designed to prepare individuals to take on the role of a paraprofessional, also known as a teacher's assistant, in a K-12 classroom.
Students will take a variety of classes to introduce them to aspects of teaching and learning that will help them to be successful as a paraprofessional. Additional requirements must be met for Illinois licensure. This certificate requires 27 credits in program requirements and electives.
Teaching Online Utilizing Technology, Certificate
The Teaching Online Utilizing Technology (TOUT) certificate, offered only online, provides hands-on experience in designing and implementing online course materials within a learning management system.
COD Stories
"COD helped me meet my goals in education by starting me on the right track. They got me in contact with the transfer schools I was thinking about so I could take the right courses in order to transfer." - Hira Qureshi
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"COD helped me achieve my academic goals by teaching me the strong work ethic that comes along with college.” - Miles Knight
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"The professors at COD have a lot to offer if you are willing to put in the time to listen and learn.” - Sarah Jamal
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"The advice I would give to future COD students is to get involved as soon as you can with as many clubs and organizations so you can explore what you enjoying doing." - Rachel Matug
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"I learned how to be more independent by going to College of DuPage. I was able to take classes that were actively engaging and challenging." - Emily Witek
Read COD StoryGet Started Today
The first step to getting started in the Teacher Preparation program is to apply for admission.
Our Academic and Career Pathways give you a roadmap to achieving your career goals. Follow a timeline based on your degree that outlines which classes you need to take and when so you graduate on time or move on to the next phase in your career.
Students who complete Education courses will:
- Develop reflective practices
- Define professional responsibilities of pre-service and in-service teachers
- Describe public education since inception
- Define qualities of a culturally competent teacher
- Develop communication skills to enhance professional relationships
- Apply methods of inquiry to analyze traditional and progressive educational practices
If you are interested in continuing your education, College of DuPage has several transfer agreements with other schools to help you seamlessly transition to another institution:
View information about this program, including estimated cost and employment opportunities.
Teaching Online Utilizing Technology Certificate
Learn how to design and implement online course materials through best practices in online teaching, course design for online classes, multimedia for online instruction, teaching with social media and video applications in education.
Teacher Preparation Careers
Take the next step in your career search and discover job titles of recent graduates, places where alumni are working, estimated salary and more through Career Coach. Browse teacher preparation career data.
| Our Alumni Work In These Occupations |
|---|
| Postsecondary Teachers |
| Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors |
| Middle School Teachers |
| Social Workers |
| Computer and Information Systems Managers |
70%
Alumni Working in a Field Related to Their Program of Study
| Top Alumni Skills |
|---|
| Curriculum Development |
| Adult Education |
| Online Teaching |
| Educational Technologies |
| Clinical Research |
