Special Programs
In addition to an array of superior academic degree programs, the School of Education also offers special opportunities for students to enrich and enhance learning:
Academic Coaching
Academic Coaching is a hybrid tutoring and mentoring combination that pairs high achieving (3.0 GPA) and professionally trained college students with at-risk students in underperforming urban high schools for regularly scheduled support.
Catholic School Educator Degree Programs
- Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction: Catholic school educators who are interested in becoming effective leaders in Catholic school improvement can earn a doctoral degree in Curriculum and Instruction while using team-based research. All Catholic educators admitted to this cohort receive a 1/3 tuition scholarship* from Loyola University Chicago for all coursework. In addition, the Archdiocese of Chicago has formed a special partnership with Loyola's School of Education to offer an additional 1/3 coursework tuition scholarship* for educators currently employed in Archdiocesan elementary and secondary schools in exchange for a commitment to continue working in Archdiocese Catholic schools for at least three years after graduation. Candidates complete 15 courses in 2-1/2 years followed by team-based research for the capstone project.
*Both the Loyola and Archdiocesen scholarships only cover coursework. They do not include the per semester fee for the capstone research project. - M.Ed. in Instructional Leadership: Catholic school educators who are interested in leadership in K-12 Catholic schools can earn a master’s degree in Instructional Leadership with K-12 administrative certification (Type 75). All Catholic educators admitted to this cohort receive a 1/3 tuition scholarship from Loyola University Chicago. In addition, the Archdiocese of Chicago has formed a special partnership with Loyola's School of Education to offer an additional 1/3 tuition scholarship for educators in the Catholic schools within the Archdiocese in exchange for a commitment to continue working in Archdiocese Catholic schools for at least three years and to seek a leadership position as appropriate. Candidates complete 12 courses in two years, including a practicum in administration and an option for taking one summer course in Rome.
Chicagoland Partners for English Language Learners (CPELL)
The second generation CPELL program provides tuition scholarships within the School of Education for either the M.Ed. in English Language Teaching and Learning with an English as a Second Language (ESL) endorsement or for an ESL endorsement only to teachers in partner school districts. CPELL also provide school-based comprehensive professional development to improve the program leadership and classroom instruction for English Language Learners (ELLs) at partner schools. CPELL is distinctive in that it places an emphasis on developing ELL teacher leaders as well as educational and parental advocates for bilingual students. The CPELL program is funded by a second federal National Professional Development Grant #T365Z120068 from the Office of English Language Acquisition for $2 million over the next five years.
Countdown
Countdown is a grant-funded multimedia mathematics education initiative. The two major components are the Countdown television show and the Countdown website. The Countdown television program is broadcast on Thursday evenings from September through May on CAN-TV’s channel 21. On-air educators work with student callers to tackle a variety of math topics using visual aids, manipulatives, games, and the computer. The Countdown website features over 800 instructional movies edited from the TV episodes. The movies are categorized according to national standards and alphabetically by concept. Many movies have accompanying downloadable activity sheets. The site provides free supplemental math instruction for K-12 students and professional development for teachers and tutors around the world.
For more information on Countdown, contact Dr. Diane Schiller at 773.508.8337 or email at dschill@luc.edu.
GEAR UP at Loyola
The Chicago GEAR UP (GU) Alliance is a federally funded program that operates as a partnership of Chicago post-secondary institutions and Chicago Public Schools (CPS). The School of Education at Loyola University Chicago has been an active partner in the GEAR UP network for nine years. Programs include direct services to students, parent programs, and professional development for CPS faculty.
Loyola’s GU network leads professional development efforts for the Chicago GEAR UP Alliance in the area of mathematics, participating in annual conference design and implementation, curriculum development, and onsite professional development in area schools. Loyola’s GU network also coordinates a number of direct outreach projects with CPS high-need high schools by hiring and training nearly 50 Loyola undergrads to work weekly as “academic coaches” with small groups of students in those designated schools.
For more information on GEAR UP at Loyola or becoming an academic coach, contact Mary Charles at 773.508.8383 or email at mcharle@luc.edu.
JVC Magis
JVC Magis is a two/three-year service program for college graduates who are former Jesuit volunteers. Its mission is prepare leaders to advance the apostolic work of the Jesuits and the Catholic Church by serving Catholic and Jesuit apostolates in the Chicago area as well trained professionals.
The essence of JVC MAGIS can be found in its four values: social justice, simple living, community, and spirituality. Participants of JVC MAGIS serve others as dedicated, full-time professionals. They attend graduate classes through a graduate program at Loyola University Chicago. Upon successful completion of the course work, participants earn a master’s degree from Loyola.
LU-Choice Overview
LU-CHOICE is a post-graduate service-teaching program whose mission is to advance Catholic education by educating, placing, and supporting talented college graduates in elementary classrooms in the Archdiocese of Chicago. LU-CHOICE teachers live out their faith and embody the Jesuit ideal of being men and women for others through service to their schools and dedication to their community.
School-Based Summer Immersion in Mexico City
This unique program offers cultural, linguistic, and pedagogical immersion in an authentic school setting in order to prepare teachers who will use Spanish as a medium of instruction. Participants spend two weeks in Mexico City living in a homestay and pairing with elementary school teachers for Spanish-language pedagogical experiences. From 9am – 2pm daily, students observe, co-teach, and work with students at Colegio Símon Bolívar, a private Catholic K-8 school. This immersion in a classroom in Mexico will make participants stand out when applying for teaching positions upon graduation.
Summer Study in Rome
Undergraduate and graduate education courses are offered at Loyola's John Felice Rome Center, enabling students to experience the cultural resources of the Eternal City. Graduate and undergraduate program details are made available online by mid-October every year. SOE's Rome program contact is Dr. Janis Fine. Contact her at: 312.915.7022 or e-mail: jfine@luc.edu.
Click on the links above to review program details. For additional information or assistance about SOE's special programs, call: 312.915.6800 or send us an e-mail at: SchlEduc@luc.edu.
Teaching with Primary Sources (TPS)
The Loyola University Chicago Teaching with Primary Sources program helps K-12th grade Chicago area educators use the Library of Congress' rich reservoir of digitized primary source materials to design challenging, high-quality instruction. The program is funded through the Library of Congress and awarded in Illinois through the efforts and support of U.S. Senator Richard J."Dick" Durbin (D-IL). Formerly known as Adventure of the American Mind (AAM)