Mar 28, 2024  
2007-2008 Graduate Catalog 
    
2007-2008 Graduate Catalog [NOTE!!!! THIS IS AN ARCHIVED CATALOG. FOR THE CURRENT CATALOG, GO TO CATALOG.NIU.EDU]

Teaching and Learning


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Chair: Paul Kelter

Graduate Faculty

Gail Adams, assistant professor, Ed.D., Northern Illinois University
Edward Cancio, assistant professor, Ph.D., Utah State University
Lynette K. Chandler, professor, Ph.D., University of Kansas
Karen B. Cole, associate professor, Ed.D., Northern Illinois University
Gregory Conderman, associate professor, Ed.D., University of Northern Colorado
Sabiha Daudi, assistant professor, Ph.D., Ohio State University 
Meryl Domina, assistant professor, Ph.D., University of Illinois at Chicago
Nina G. Dorsch, associate professor, Ph.D., Miami University
Maylan Dunn, associate professor, Ph.D., University of Oklahoma 
Joseph Flynn, assistant professor, Ph.D., Michigan State University
Sharon M. Freagon, professor, Ph.D., University of Wisconsin 
Paula Hartman, assistant professor, Ph.D., The University of Texas at Austin
Mary Beth Henning, assistant professor, Ph.D., Pennsylvania State University
Pamela Jackson, professor, Ph.D., Purdue University
Jesse Johnson, associate professor, Ed.D., Northern Illinois University 
Sarah Johnston-Rodriguez, assistant professor, Ph.D., University of Wisconsin, Madison
Myoungwhon Jung, assistant professor, Ph.D., Indiana University
Gaylen G. Kapperman, professor, Ed.D., University of Northern Colorado 
Paul Kelter, professor, Ph.D., Syracuse University
Andrew Kemp, assistant professor, Ed.D., University of Central Florida
Samara Madrid, assistant professor, Ph.D., Ohio State University
Moses Mutuku, associate professor, Ed.D., Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Carla C. Shaw, associate professor, Ph.D., Southern Illinois University
Eui-Kyung Shin, assistant professor, Ph.D., University of South Carolina
Deborah A. Simmons, professor, Ph.D., University of Michigan
Valerie Talsma, assistant professor, Ph.D., University of Michigan
Toni Van Laarhoven, associate professor, Ed.D., Northern Illinois University
Elizabeth Wilkins, associate professor, Ph.D., Southern Illinois University
C. Sheldon Woods, assistant professor, Ph.D., Kansas State University
Kim Zebehazy, assistant professor, Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh

The Department of Teaching and Learning offers the M.S.Ed. degree in curriculum and instruction, early childhood education, elementary education, and special education, and the Ed.D. degree in curriculum and instruction. Doctoral-level specializations in curriculum leadership; science, social studies, and environmental education integration; and secondary education are available in the department as part of the master’s and doctoral degree programs in curriculum and instruction. State of Illinois approved programs leading to certification are offered in early childhood education, elementary education, and special education. Viewing teaching both as an art and science, learning as a reciprocal process, and service as a responsibility, the faculty provides curriculum and instruction grounded in theory, research, and best practice.

Master of Science in Education
Curriculum and instruction
Early childhood education
Elementary education
Special education

Doctor of Education Curriculum and instruction

Students interested in doctoral level studies in special education may elect a cognate in special education while pursuing the doctorate in educational psychology. (See Department of Leadership, Educational Psychology and Foundations.)

Admission

The Department of Teaching and Learning seeks to select the best-qualified applicants for admission to its programs. When the number of applicants to any program exceeds its capacity, even qualified applicants may be denied admission and encouraged to reapply at a later date.

Applicants must provide at least two letters of recommendation from professors, employers, or supervisors which provide supportive evidence of an applicant’s professional qualifications. Except for applicants for the M.S.Ed. program in special education, applicants may submit MAT scores in lieu of GRE scores.

Decisions about admission to programs in the department are ordinarily made at least once each term. To be assured of consideration, completed applications containing all required data (application forms, official transcripts, GRE or MAT scores, and letters of recommendation) must be received by the Graduate School no later than June 1 for admission for the fall term, November 1 for admission for the spring term, and April 1 for admission for the summer session.

Any applicant who is denied admission to a program may submit to the department chair a written request for reconsideration by the admissions committee that includes information not previously submitted. Final decisions of admissions committees may be appealed to the department’s Academic Appeals Committee. Appeals to this committee must be in writing and must explain the basis for the appeal.

Advisement

A student is assigned an adviser when admitted to a department degree or certification program and develops a program of study in consultation with the adviser. Courses with the designator TLRN may be counted toward the major in any of the department’s degree programs with adviser approval.

Retention

Students must remain in good academic standing in the Graduate School, maintain high ethical standards, and demonstrate evidence of functional competency in fulfilling the professional roles required by the discipline.

Doctoral students must pass a candidacy examination which requires an ability to deal with more than individual course content. Satisfactory completion of comprehensive examinations requires analysis, synthesis, and integration of the content within a discipline. Doctoral students must also develop, complete, and defend an acceptable dissertation following the guidelines of the Graduate School and the program in which they are enrolled.

Internships

The Department of Teaching and Learning offers internships in curriculum leadership, early childhood education, elementary education, environmental education, secondary education, and special education. For further information and internship possibilities, see course descriptions and consult with an adviser.

Student-at-Large, Study-Abroad, and Transfer Credit

Student-at-large, study-abroad, and transfer hours in combination may not exceed 15 semester hours for students pursuing the M.S.Ed. degree in curriculum and instruction, elementary education, early childhood education, or special education. The limit on student-at-large hours may be waived in special circumstances with the approval of the department chair.

Deficiency Study/Field Work

In cases in which a student’s background in the chosen specialty is limited, the individual may be required to fulfill deficiency requirements. Generally, deficiency course work is required of an individual seeking a doctorate whose master’s course work was in another specialty area or field. Supervised field work is sometimes required in a given program of study, especially when, in the adviser’s judgment, it is necessary to prepare the student in a chosen specialty.

Special Education Certificates of Graduate Study

The special education certificates of graduate study are designed for educators currently holding learning behavior specialist I certification who are seeking additional competencies. Completion of a certificate of graduate study in one of the following areas prepares one to apply for Illinois learning behavior specialist II certification as an assistive technology specialist, a behavior specialist, a curriculum adaptation specialist, or a multiple disabilities specialist.

Certification and Endorsement at the Graduate Level

The M.S.Ed. program in early childhood education with certification is designed for students pursuing the Early Childhood Illinois Type 04 Certification requirements to teach children from birth through grade 3 in Illinois public schools. Students may elect course work to fulfill special education approval requirements for teaching children with disabilities, birth through age six.

The M.S.Ed. program in elementary education with certification is designed for students pursuing the Elementary Education Illinois Type 03 Certificate required to teach children kindergarten through grade 9 in Illinois public schools.

Middle grades endorsement requirements for the state of Illinois may be fulfilled by taking courses at the graduate level. Students who wish to take these courses should contact the Department of Teaching and Learning for further information.

See “Teacher Certification Information.”

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