Curriculum
M.Ed. in Elementary Education (Certification K-9)
Degree Requirements
Total Hours: 36
Student Teaching: Required
Comprehensive: Impact on Student Learning Project and Professional Practice Profile
Thesis: None
Length of Program
Full-time elementary education students can complete the program in 1-1/2 years, or four semesters (spring, summer, fall, spring). Full-time students are required to complete a continuous year-long daytime internship.
Part-time elementary education students can complete the program in 2-1/2 years, or six semesters, by taking two courses per semester. Clinical hours are required as part of the program.
Students have five years from acceptance to complete the program. (See SOE Policy: Time Limit for Degree Completion)
Program and State Requirements
All candidates must pass the Illinois Test of Basic Skills to advance past their first semester of enrollment. Candadates in all programs leading to Illinois certification are also required to pass an Illinois State Criminal Background Check. Policies and procedures for receiving Illinois certification must be met.
Continuous Enrollments
Master's students in Elementary Education 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.
Curriculum Plan
Completion of the M.Ed. degree program in Elementary Education requires 36 semester hours. A Professional Profile and Impact on Student Learning Project report are required at the end of the program.
Required Courses (36 semester hours)
- CIEP 401 The Exceptional Child
- CIEP 421 Reading/Literacy Instruction in Diverse Populations
- CIEP 423 Advanced Reading/Writing in Content Areas
- CIEP 425 Classroom Assessment
- CIEP 450 Educational Psychology
- ELPS 420 Philosophy of Education in a Diverse Society
- CIEP 437 Instructional Strategies for Teaching Social Studies/ Fine Arts
- CIEP 438 Math and Computer Competencies for Elementary Education Teachers
- CIEP 439 Teaching Science in Elementary and Middle Schools
- CIEP 446 Middle School Theory and Practice
- CIEP 562 Student Teaching
Clinical Experiences
Students who choose the full-time program participate in a one-year intensive clinical internship which provides classroom experiences that begin with the first day of school under the mentorship of a certified classroom teacher. During the fall semester of the internship, each student has the opportunity to observe and learn the routines and procedures of the classroom for 2 ½ days each week. The internship concludes with a 15-week student teaching experience during the spring semester in the same school setting.
Students who are enrolled in the part-time program complete clinical experiences during the semesters in which they are enrolled in courses that require practical applications of the content taught in the elementary school. Those enrolled in the part-time program must be available for clinical experiences in the morning or afternoon when schools are in session. A 15-week student teaching experience completes the program.
Comprehensive Assessment
An Impact on Student Learning Project and Professional Practice Profile are required. The assessment is completed during Student Teaching. Candidates must submit a proposal for approval. The faculty assessor will notify the student of results.
Graduation Requirements
- Overall GPA of 3.0 for graduation
- Illinois competency test in elementary education
- Completion of student teaching
- Completion of comprehensive assessments (an Impact on Student Learning Project and Professional Profile)
- Illinois assessment of professional teaching
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.