The major in curriculum and instruction prepares knowledgeable, reflective practitioners and instructional leaders to work in both formal and informal educational settings. Courses help educational practitioners clarify their professional purposes and improve the pedagogical environments in which they function. This is not an initial licensure program.
This program provides three specializations: Teacher Leadership; Curriculum and Cultural Pedagogies for Social Justice; or Academic Literacy, Language, and Culture. Teacher Leadership courses focus on building leadership capacity in classrooms, schools, and districts through courses that qualify educators for a Teacher Leader Endorsement added to their Professional Educator License. Curriculum and Cultural Pedagogies for Social Justice courses focus on examining teaching and learning from a social justice perspective. Academic Literacy, Language, and Culture courses focus on the social and cultural dimensions of language and literacy learning.
An applicant for admission must have a baccalaureate degree with a GPA of 3.00 or higher and provide at least two letters of recommendation from professors, employers, or supervisors that provide supportive evidence of an applicant’s professional qualifications. Prospective students who fail to satisfy the GPA criterion may request special consideration of their applications. Such a request must be in writing, must include compensatory evidence related to the deficiency, and should accompany the application for admission to the Graduate School. Decisions regarding admission are made by departmental program committees on the basis of a total profile of an individual’s qualifications. Appeals of a decision made by the admissions committee may be made to the department’s Student Affairs Committee. Appeals to this committee must be in writing and must explain the basis for the appeal.
Check departmental information for any additional requirements.
Requirements
Programs of study must include a minimum of 33 semester hours, of which a minimum of 18 semester hours must be chosen from one three specialization areas. Capstone options include either an advisor-approved culminating project (TLCI 598) or a master’s thesis (TLCI 699). To remain in good academic standing, students in the program must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.00 in all courses. A student who fails to maintain a GPA of 3.00 in coursework may, upon recommendation of the program, be subject to termination from the program.
Other courses approved by advisor that meet the expectations and requirements for this program
Capstone
Students may select an advisor-approved culminating project, or a master’s thesis as their capstone for this degree. These course credits are embedded in the core courses for the M.S.Ed.
Requirements for candidates choosing only the Teacher Leader Endorsement
The option for pursuing only the endorsement is available to candidates who already possess an initial Illinois Professional Educator License. The program of study for just the Teacher Leader Endorsement is 24 semester hours.
Must be in a current full-time teaching or school support personnel position
Must have two-or-more years of experience as a licensed educator in a Pre-K-through-12 setting
Must have successfully passed any state-mandated tests
Must have an undergraduate degree indicating a GPA of 2.75 or higher, or a minimum3.20 cumulative GPA in all graduate coursework
Check departmental information for any additional requirements.
