The Department of Teacher Education prepares Urban Professional Multicultural Educators through an integrated program of courses and field experiences. Programs offered are designed for the preparation of future educators. The programs of study center around our commitment to excellence in teaching in today’s diverse society through the investigation of significant educational issues, inquiry into student learning and effective teaching practices, and the use of technology in teaching and learning. We engage teacher candidates in critical reflection upon their practice throughout the program. We foster engagement in schools through our Professional Development Schools and other school and agency affiliations. Upon completion of the program, teacher candidates measure themselves against the values of our guiding conceptual framework through the completion of professional portfolios. Values that are part of this framework include: commitment to social justice, critical pedagogy, and positive educational transformation within the context of a Vincentian personalism that honors the dignity of each person.
The Teaching and Learning graduate program prepares individuals for teaching careers in Early Childhood Education (Birth to grade 3), elementary (grades K-9) or secondary (grades 6-12) schools. The program is designed for college graduates with a Bachelor’s degree in a field other than education who now wish to become teachers. Students may seek secondary certification (6-12) in the following areas: computer science, English, geography, history, social science, mathematics, modern languages (French, German, Japanese, Italian, or Spanish), or science (biology, chemistry, or physics).
Students entering the program must be able and willing to devote themselves to a program requiring a minimum of 100 hours of daytime field experiences in schools. These school-based clinical hours are completed in conjunction with methodology courses that require students to spend a half-day each week in a school. In addition, the student must spend a minimum of 10 weeks in full-time student teaching.
The program includes five distinctive features:
1) Becoming a teacher is viewed as a developmental process continuing at
least through the first year of teaching;
2) Multiculturalism is infused throughout the curriculum;
3) Field experiences are an integral part of the curriculum;
4) Students are exposed to a variety of educational theories;
5) The program includes a research component as a basis for further
professional development.
Students lacking undergraduate requirements in general education necessary for Illinois State Certification will have to complete those requirements. An academic advisor will guide candidates in planning their completion.
The program is completed in several phases: coursework, student teaching, certification, teaching (along with induction courses), and master’s completion. As a requirement of the degree, students must take the induction courses during the first year of teaching. The induction courses not only provide critical support to beginning teachers but are an important component of beginning teachers’ professional development.
Degree Program
· Master of Arts or Master of Education: Teaching and Learning
Concentrations
· Early Childhood Concentration
· Elementary Concentration
· Secondary Concentration
M.A or M.Ed. in Secondary Education: Biology, Chemistry, English, Geography, History, Mathematics, Modern Languages, Social Science, Physics and Visual Arts.
Campus Locations
· Lincoln Park (Early Childhood, Elementary, Secondary)
· Naperville (Elementary)
Certification
· Type 03 Elementary (K-9)
· Type 04 Early Childhood (birth - grade 3)
· Type 09 Secondary (6-12)
Admission Requirements
· A completed School of Education graduate application
· A bachelor’s degree conferred by an accredited, recognized institution
· A previous grade point average of 2.75 or above on a 4.0 scale
· Two letters of recommendation from professors or supervisors
· One official transcript from each college or university attended
· Statement of purpose (see application for details)
· Interview with program advisor, upon request
· Evidence of adequate background for the program
· Resume
Students who meet the above requirements are conditionally admitted to the School of Education. There are additional requirements to be fully accepted into the School of Education/Professional Education Unit. A separate application (petition) process is required.
Additional requirements are:
· Maintain a 3.0 GPA
· Pass the Illinois Basic Skills Test
· Pass the SOE basic computer competency assessment (SCG 025 registration required)
· Pass ISP 120 (Quantitative Reasoning) or pass the exam for this course
· Submit one satisfactory evaluation of content area knowledge (For secondary education candidates, this content area evaluation must be from a faculty member in the subject matter that you plan to teach.)
· Submit one satisfactory evaluation related to the skills and attitudes of Urban, Professional, Multicultural Educators
There is no time limit to meet these criteria and apply for full admission to the School of Education/Professional Education Unit; however, students may take only a limited number of graduate education classes (4) until you have done so. Students may continue to take courses needed to remove deficiencies in general education or content area requirements.
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School of Education Departments 
