College of Education

William A. Pitney, Ed.D., acting dean
David A. Walker, Ph.D., associate dean, academic affairs
Todd A. Gilson, Ph.D., associate dean, research, resources, and innovation.

The departments of the College of Education offer baccalaureate programs leading to the degrees Bachelor of Science (B.S.) and Bachelor of Science in Education (B.S.Ed.). The College of Education offers a contract major leading to the B.S. degree.

Department Names and Undergraduate Programs Offered

Department of Counseling and Higher Education

Department of Curriculum and Instruction

B.S.Ed. in elementary education
B.S.Ed. in middle level teaching and learning

Department of Educational Technology, Research and Assessment

B.S. in applied management

Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education

B.S. in kinesiology
B.S.Ed. in physical education
B.S. in sport management

Department of Leadership, Educational Psychology and Foundations

Department of Special and Early Education

B.S. in early childhood studies
B.S.Ed. in special education

State Requirements for Educator Licensure

State of Illinois Mandated Testing

Candidates must take and pass any state mandated tests prior to student teaching (tests may vary by program).

Grade Minimum

All professional education and content-area course work that forms part of an application for licensure, endorsement, or approval must have been passed with a grade no lower than C or equivalent in order to be counted towards fulfillment of the applicable ISBE requirements. Students must see individual program advisors for list of courses.

Dean’s List Criteria

The College of Education recognizes undergraduates whose academic performance has been outstanding through the Dean’s List. The Dean’s List recognizes those students who achieve a GPA of 3.75 or higher (on a 4.00 scale) while completing a minimum of 12 graded semester hours within a fall or spring semester.

Literacy Clinic Services

The university offers clinical services in literacy to both elementary and secondary school students. Parents and school officials may avail themselves of this service by directing their correspondence to the director of the Literacy Clinic.

One of the clinic’s main purposes is to provide a greatly needed service, but it also plays an important role in the program of graduate students who wish to specialize in the teaching of literacy or to become clinicians. Through the clinic, teachers are provided an opportunity to make diagnostic studies of children who have literacy problems.