Teacher Education Programs (M.Ed.)
The Master of Education with Licensure (M.Ed.) degree is designed to provide students the opportunity to earn a master’s degree and a Professional Educator License in elementary, middle grades, secondary, visual arts or special education teaching. Theory and practice are integrated through professional coursework in education with a strong liberal arts foundation and a specific major while field experiences are completed in a variety of school settings. These experiences provide opportunities for aspiring teachers to observe experienced teachers, practice newly emerging teaching skills and apply the knowledge gained from university coursework to the elementary, middle and secondary schools. The licensure program culminates in an internship (student teaching) during which the students synthesize the knowledge, skills, and dispositions required in the teaching profession. Upon successful completion of a teacher licensure program, the teacher candidate will be prepared in Illinois Professional Teaching Standards.
Middle grades licensure is offered in the subject areas of general science, language arts, mathematics, and social science. Secondary licensure is offered in the subject areas of biology: science, English Language Arts, history: social science, and mathematics. The program meets the education licensure needs of individuals seeking a career in teaching. The Master of Education with Professional Educator Licensure is for individuals who have earned a bachelor’s degree in another field and are seeking a teaching license.
The graduate curriculum includes all state required professional education course work and school based field experiences. The student is responsible for completing deficiencies in any program related general education and subject area course work. Such course work may be completed at the undergraduate level. A College of Education advisor will provide students with assistance in selecting the courses needed to fulfill licensure requirements that are not part of the graduate component.
Undergraduate licensure courses may be utilized, in part, to meet state Professional Educator Licensure requirements. However, additional graduate courses must be taken to complete the necessary hours of graduate coursework required for the degree.
Program Requirements
Depending on the particular endorsement, thirty-nine to forty-nine credit hours of graduate level courses are required to earn licensure. Methods of Educational Research (three credit hours) is required for the M.Ed. degree. Maintenance of at least a “B” average (3.0 on a 4.0 scale) is necessary for advancement to candidacy and graduation.
Important Teacher Licensure Notes:
- Teacher candidates progress through assessment levels with requirements that include minimum overall and major grade point averages and successfully passing required Illinois State Board of Education tests.
- All licensure requirements are subject to change as directed by State of Illinois legislation and the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) and as interpreted by the College of Education.
Master of Education with Professional Educator License (40-52 credit hours)
Curriculum
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| MEDU 610 | Methods of Educational Research 1 | 3 |
| MEDU 627 | Technology for Teaching and Learning | 2 |
| MEDU 649 | Methods of Teaching Special Education and English Language Learners | 3 |
| MEDU 665 | Teaching in a Diverse Society | 3 |
| MEDU 670 | Educational Psychology | 3 |
| MEDU 671 | Beginning Field Experience | 1 |
| MEDU 672 | Evidence of Teaching Proficiency | 1 |
| MEDU 674 | Instructional Planning and Assessment | 3 |
| MEDU 675 | Learners with Exceptional and Diverse Needs | 3 |
| MEDU 698 | Directed Practicum | 1 |
| MEDU 699 | Professional Growth Seminar | 1 |
| Select one of the following: | 17-28 | |
| Total Hours | 41-52 | |
- 1
This course is taken after completion of all licensure requirements are met.
Elementary Education (44 credit hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MEDU 610 | Methods of Educational Research | 3 |
| MEDU 646 | General Literacy Methods | 3 |
| MEDU 649 | Methods of Teaching Special Education and English Language Learners | 3 |
| MEDU 661 | Classroom Management in Elementary Education | 2 |
| MEDU 665 | Teaching in a Diverse Society | 3 |
| MEDU 670 | Educational Psychology | 3 |
| MEDU 671 | Beginning Field Experience | 1 |
| MEDU 674 | Instructional Planning and Assessment | 3 |
| MEDU 675 | Learners with Exceptional and Diverse Needs | 3-4 |
| MEDU 676 | Methods of Teaching Science in Elementary School | 3 |
| MEDU 678 | Methods of Teaching Social Science in Elementary School | 1 |
| MEDU 681 | Elementary Education Internship I | 1 |
| MEDU 683 | Methods of Teaching Mathematics in Elementary School | 3 |
| MEDU 689 | Content Area Literacy | 3 |
| MEDU 690 | Elementary Internship II: Student Teaching | 5 |
| MEDU 698 | Directed Practicum | 1 |
| MEDU 699 | Professional Growth Seminar | 1 |
| Total Hours | 42-43 | |
Middle Grades Education (20 credit hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MEDU 630 | Psychology and Development of Adolescents | 3 |
| MEDU 646 | General Literacy Methods | 2 |
| MEDU 667 | Adolescent Curriculum, Instruction and Classroom Management | 3 |
| MEDU 669 | Middle Grades Education Internship I | 1 |
| MEDU 689 | Content Area Literacy | 3 |
| MEDU 673 | Middle Grades Education Internship II: Student Teaching | 5 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Methods of Teaching Adolescents Science (3) | ||
| Methods of Teaching Adolescents English/Language Arts (3) | ||
| Methods of Teaching Adolescents Social Science (3) | ||
| Methods of Teaching Adolescents Mathematics (3) | ||
| Total Hours | 20 | |
Secondary (15 credit hours)
Candidates may also earn their Middle Grades Education Endorsement as part of this program.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MEDU 667 | Adolescent Curriculum, Instruction and Classroom Management | 3 |
| MEDU 682 | Secondary Education Internship I | 1 |
| MEDU 689 | Content Area Literacy | 3 |
| MEDU 695 | Secondary Education Internship II: Student Teaching | 5 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Methods of Teaching Adolescents Science (3) | ||
| Methods of Teaching Adolescents English/Language Arts (3) | ||
| Methods of Teaching Adolescents Social Science (3) | ||
| Methods of Teaching Adolescents Mathematics (3) | ||
| Total Hours | 15 | |
Special Education Endorsement with Professional Educator Licensure (26 credit hours)
Candidates may also earn their Elementary Education Endorsement as part of this program.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MEDU 640 | Development and Characteristics of Individuals with Special Needs | 3 |
| MEDU 641 | Legal and Historical Foundations in Special Education | 3 |
| MEDU 642 | Assessment & Diagnosis in Special Education | 3 |
| MEDU 645 | Communication, Collaboration and Transition in Special Education | 3 |
| MEDU 646 | General Literacy Methods | 2 |
| MEDU 647 | General Mathematics Methods | 2 |
| MEDU 648 | Language Development and Teaching Methods for Moderate and Severe Disabilities | 3 |
| MEDU 677 | Integrating Technology and Instruction | 1 |
| MEDU 679 | Special Education Internship I | 1 |
| MEDU 697 | Special Education Internship II: Student Teaching | 5 |
| Total Hours | 26 | |
Visual Arts Education Endorsement with Professional Educator Licensure (15 credit hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MEDU 655 | Methods of Teaching Elementary Visual Arts | 3 |
| MEDU 656 | Methods of Teaching Middle and Secondary Visual Arts | 3 |
| MEDU 657 | Visual Arts Education Internship I | 1 |
| MEDU 658 | Visual Arts Education Internship II: Student Teaching | 5 |
| MEDU 689 | Content Area Literacy | 3 |
| Total Hours | 15 | |