Curriculum
M.Ed. in English Language Teaching & Learning
Degree Requirements
Total Hours: 30
Practicum: None
Comprehensive: Portfolio
Thesis: None
Length of the Program:
Full-time students can complete the program in one year (4 classes in Fall, 4 classes in Spring, 2 classes in Summer). Part-time students can complete the program in two years - 2 classes each Fall and Spring semesters and 1 class each Summer session. Students have five years from acceptance to complete the program. (See SOE Policy: Time Limit for Degree Completion)
Program Requirements:
Students interested in pursuing the M.Ed. in English Language Teaching and Learning are not required to hold any specific certifications. This program will provide the coursework needed to receive and ESL endorsement if candidates already hold an Illinois teaching certificate.
Curriculum Plan:
The program requires 30 semester hours, consisting of 10 classes and a comprehensive portfolio, which is embedded in the final course.
Continuous Enrollments
Master's students in English Language Teaching and Learning are required to maintain the status of continuous enrollment during their program of studies. This means that during each semester of each academic year (excluding Summer Sessions), each student must enroll in at least one course. (See SOE Policy: Academic Standing - Continuous Enrollment)
A formal leave of absence may be granted upon request and the approval of the School of Education’s Associate Dean of Student Academic Services.
Prerequisites:
Students should present transcript evidence of successful completion ("B" or better) of the following course, or its equivalent. Alternatively, RMTD 400 can be added to the program of study.
- graduate level or comparable research methods course
Required Courses (30 semester hours)
- CIEP 440 Curriculum & Instruction
- CIEP 442 Curriculum Development & Implementation
- CIEP 447 Technology Enhanced Instruction I
- CIEP 469 Teaching and Learning in Urban Communities
- CIEP 471 Theoretical Foundations for Teaching ESL/Bilingual
- CIEP 472 Methods and Materials for Teaching ESL/Bilingual
- CIEP 474 Assessment of Bilingual Students
- CIEP 488 Action Research to Improve Teaching & Learning
- CIEP 503 Culturally Relevant Literature for Children & Adolescents
- CIEP 504 Applied Linguistics for Teachers
Clinical Experiences
Students will complete clinical experiences integrated within individual courses. For those students who hold a teaching certificate, but are not currently teaching in a classroom with English learners, and want to meet the ISBE requirements to receive their ESL endorsement as a result of the program, additional clinical experience hours may be required outside of coursework.
Comprehensive Assessment
The comprehensive portfolio for this program will be completed as a part of the final course, CIEP 504 - Applied Linguistics for Teachers. As a field, applied linguistics requires the application of theories, research, and knowledge of language to real-world issues. After candidates have the knowledge and skills related to English language teaching and learning from the program, they need to apply that knowledge in a variety of real-world tasks in various educational contexts. In so doing, candidates will complete a portfolio with specific tasks to demonstrate their professional expertise. The professional portfolio will include: Action Research Project, Curriculum or Program Evaluation, Reflection on the Professional Literature, and an Applied Linguistics Reflection. No application is required. Program faculty will notify students of results.
Degree Conferral
While the commencement ceremony is every May, degrees can be conferred May, August, and December. Students must apply for graduation/degree conferral. Students should apply for graduation in the semester they anticipate completing all degree requirements. Failure to meet application deadlines may result in a delay of the conferral of the degree to the following semester. Applications for Degree Conferral are due:
- August 1 for December conferral
- December 1 for May conferral
- February 1 for August conferral
Please note the degree conferral application is valid for only one semester. If the degree is not conferred for the semester requested, a new application is required for a subsequent semester.