Applying to the Minor 

Students typically apply to the minor in their sophomore year, or when they are 2 years/4 semesters from graduating.

The two application periods are

• December 1st to February 1st
• August 1st to August 31st

Sophomores should apply in the spring. The application opens December 1st and closes February 1st. 

Rising Juniors should apply in the fall, when the application opens August 1st. It will close at the end of the month.

Requirements to Apply

• 2.5 cumulative, content, and UIUC GPA in the semester of application
• Content pre-requisites completed or in-progress in the semester of application 
• A C- is required for all LAS content/major and minor related courses
• Composition I requirement completed
• At least 2 levels of the foreign language requirement completed

• Complete the Application with Two well organized 2-3 page, typed essays, double spaced with font size no smaller than 10 point. Use your previous learning and teaching experiences, including any tutoring, to provide concrete examples.

Essay #1: Explain why you are interested in teaching your content major to high school students.

Essay #2: Will contain two parts:

2a. Discuss and reflect upon how your experiences (or the lack thereof) have influenced your ideas of cultural/racial/ethnic diversity (language, people with disabilities, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, etc.).

2b. How does your understanding of and experiences with cultural/racial/ethnic diversity (language, people with disabilities, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, etc.) impact your understanding of the roles and responsibilities of a secondary teacher?

Please note: Each essay will be read and reviewed by faculty/staff and will be a deciding factor in any admission decisions, regardless of whether an applicant meets the GPA requirements and satisfies content course prerequisites.

You can follow this link to the application portal.

After Acceptance

Students admitted into the secondary education program are required to accept the offer by the date listed in the email that is sent to them.

Accepted students are required to attend several mandatory meetings in the fall regarding the program, courses, and placements.   

Interested as a Sophomore or Junior? 

Students who are no longer freshmen and are interested in the minor will need to communicate with the departmental advisor of the desired LAS major, as well as the secondary education advisor.

Depending on how many required courses you have completed, it can be an easy transition.

Sometimes students who decide they want to do the secondary education minor late in their academic career will be on a 5 year plan.