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Dec 26, 2024
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2017-2018 Graduate Catalog [NOTE!!!! THIS IS AN ARCHIVED CATALOG. FOR THE CURRENT CATALOG, GO TO CATALOG.NIU.EDU]
Master of Science in Education in Curriculum and Instruction
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 Return to: Graduate Programs
Non-Thesis Option
Thesis Option
Teacher Leader Endorsement Option
The major in curriculum and instruction prepares knowledgeable, reflective practitioners and instructional leaders to work in both formal and nonformal educational settings. Courses help educational practitioners clarify their professional purposes and improve the pedagogical environments in which they function. The degree may include course work from curriculum leadership, environmental education, and secondary education. Students may choose to focus their course work in one area or combine course work to meet their professional needs.
Curriculum leadership courses provide the student with information to develop competence in supervisory techniques, curriculum theory and practice, cooperative planning for improvement of instruction, and evaluation of programs of curriculum improvement.
Environmental education courses focus on methods of teaching the core concepts and skills that environmentally literate citizens need. Environmental education courses prepare formal and nonformal educators to use community and natural out-of-classroom resources to enhance the curricula and non-formal education programs. Students focusing in this area are encouraged to complete the certificate of graduate study in environmental education.
Courses in secondary education are intended for entering or practicing teachers who wish to develop the teaching skills and the informed understanding of the major issues and trends in secondary education that mark the master teacher.
The student learning outcomes for this degree are located at http://www.niu.edu/assessment/clearinghouse/outcomes/index.shtml.
Check departmental information for any additional requirements.
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Requirements
Programs of study must include a minimum of 33 semester hours, of which a minimum of 18 semester hours must be chosen from the degree area. Students elect either the non-thesis, thesis, or teacher leader endorsement option. Non-Thesis Option
- One graduate-level course in research approved by adviser (3)
- One graduate-level course in foundations of education approved by adviser (3)
- Course work in the major approved by adviser (9-18)
- Additional course work approved by adviser (0-9)
- Successful completion of a comprehensive examination
Thesis Option
Same as the non-thesis option except that a minimum of 6 semester hours of program course work must be devoted to TLCI 699A, Master’s Thesis: Curriculum Leadership, TLCI 699B, Master’s Thesis: Environmental Education, or TLCI 699C, Master’s Thesis: Secondary Education. Teacher Leader Endorsement Option
The Teacher Leader Endorsement Option is designed to prepare licensed educators for leadership roles as mentor teachers, department chairs, curriculum directors, deans, and other quasi-administrative positions designated by a school district. The program of study is a blend of administrative and curriculum courses and is designed to share a common core curriculum with the M.S.Ed. in Educational Administration (principal preparation). This common core gives teacher leaders access to principles of effective leadership, school organization, supervisory behavior, and teacher evaluation. In addition, through course electives, students are encouraged to study in greater depth a content area related to their field. M.S.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction with Teacher Leader Endorsement Option course work
a. A 12-semester-hour Administration Leadership Core (12)
A 12-semester-hour Administrative Leadership Core with course work that is shared with the M.S.Ed. in Educational Administration (principal preparation program): b. A 12-semester-hour Curriculum and Instruction Core (12)
A 12-semester-hour Curriculum and Instruction Core comprised of: c. A 3-semester-hour course focused on educational research and data analysis (3)
d. 6 semester hours of electives
6 semester hours of electives focused on student’s interests and professional goals. For example: English Language Learners, Special Education, Common Core Leadership, Outdoor/Environmental/Nonformal. Candidates wishing to obtain the Teacher Leader Endorsement must meet the following requirements in order to pursue and qualify for the Teacher Leader Endorsement option:
- Candidates must hold a valid and current Illinois Professional Educator License, be in a current full-time teaching or school support personnel position, and have two or more years of experience as a licensed educator in a Pre-K-12 setting.
- Candidates must have successfully passed the Test of Academic Proficiency (TAP).
- Candidates must have an undergraduate degree indicating a GPA of 2.75 or higher or a minimum 3.20 cumulative grade point average in all graduate course work.
- Candidates must submit an application portfolio that includes:
- A completed NIU Admissions Application.
- A cover letter indicating reasons for interest in the program.
- A current resume documenting required educational experiences in a Pre-K-12 setting.
- Documentation of at least two years of full-time, licensed educational experience in Pre-K-12 schools.
- Two letters of recommendation written by teaching peers in the candidate’s current school.
- Two authentic artifacts that provide evidence of the candidate’s ability to positively impact student achievement and learning.
- Two authentic artifacts that provide evidence of the candidate’s leadership potential.
- A letter of recommendation from the current building principal supporting the application that includes examples of the following:
- strong instructional skills within a safe and orderly classroom environment,
- data collection and analysis resulting in instructional revisions leading to improved student achievement,
- documentation of strong oral and written communication skills,
- demonstration of strong leadership skills in the candidate’s current role that may translate into the role as a future teacher leader.
To remain in good academic standing, students in the Teacher Leader Endorsement program must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.00 in all courses required for the Teacher Leader Endorsement. A student who fails to maintain a GPA of 3.00 in course work required for the Teacher Leader Endorsement may, upon recommendation of the program, be subject to termination of admission to the Teacher Leader Endorsement program. Requirements for candidates choosing only Teacher Leader Endorsement
The option for pursuing only the endorsement is available to candidates who already possess an M.S.Ed. The program of study for just the Teacher Leader Endorsement is 24 semester hours. Up to 12 semester hours can be applied from the candidate’s previously earned M.S.Ed. provided the courses demonstrate equivalency and meet program standards. In addition, applicants must meet the admission criteria noted above. Course work requirements for pursuing only the Teacher Leader Endorsement:
Administrative Leadership Core:
Curriculum and Instruction Core:
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