According to State of Illinois certification guidelines, both Elementary and Secondary education students who wish to teach in a departmentalized middle school setting (grades 5-8) must meet three criteria:

Complete at least 18 semester hours in a content area that is taught in middle grades. All secondary education majors have at least one content area based on their secondary education requirements. Most elementary education majors will have at least one content area based on their concentration requirements. We strongly recommend that you speak with your advisor about possible endorsement areas at your initial advising appointment.

Complete at least 3 semester hours in middle school methodology. All students have met this requirement through the DePaul education courses. No additional course work is needed to meet this requirement.

Complete a course in middle school philosophy and/or psychology. This course, SCG 439, Philosophy & Psychology of Middle Level Education, is an additional course in the program. If SCG 439 is added, it is strongly recommended that it be completed prior to student teaching.
 
Middle school endorsements are only applicable to Elementary and Secondary Education students. Students who do not choose to earn a middle school endorsement will generally be restricted in the grade levels they can teach. Elementary education majors will normally be eligible to teach in K to 4 only; Secondary education majors will be eligible to teach in grades 9 to 12 only.
 
All certification and endorsement requirements are subject to change based on Illinois State Board of Education modifications in requirements.