Mar 29, 2024  
2005-2007 EIU Graduate Catalog 
    
2005-2007 EIU Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Elementary Education


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Program Mission: The Department of Early Childhood, Elementary, and Middle Level Education seeks to advance scholarly preparation by providing quality teaching and promoting excellence in research/ creative activity in order for graduate students to exemplify best teaching practices for children from birth through age fourteen. The department is dedicated to the preparation of knowledgeable citizens of the 21st century and seeks to empower individuals to meet the challenges faced by professional educators in a rapidly changing society. Candidates for the Master of Science in education Degree will be prepared to teach in diverse environments recognizing multiple pathways of learning. The Department is committed to enhancing the graduate academic experience in order to create educators who can function effectively in a culturally diverse, technologically advanced, and global environment in order to engage learning at all levels.

Accreditation:  National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education and North Central Association.

Admission Requirements: To be eligible for degree candidacy, applicants must meet all of the requirements for admission to the Graduate School (see “Admission to Graduate Degree and Certificate Programs”) In addition students must:

  • Complete and submit the departmental admission application with additional information as outlined:
  1. A copy of transcripts showing required 3.0 GPA within the last 60 hours (or 3.0 GPA in first 12 hours of graduate coursework.)
  2. A copy of current teaching certificate (including type, issuing state, and year granted.) If you do not have certification at the appropriate level you will need to complete the course work necessary for certification which may entail undergraduate and graduate credits.
  3. 2 letters of recommendation - professional sources
  4. Resume
  5. A letter of application (double-spaced, 2 pages maximum) expressing your goals for the master’s program.

Study Plan Approval: The study plan shall be approved by the department and filed with the departmental graduate coordinator prior to the completion of 12 semester hours of graduate credit which count toward the graduate degree.

Degree Requirements


Degree requirements include those outlined for the master of science in education degree by the Graduate School (see “Requirements for the Master of Science in Education Degree”).   Additional requirements include a minimum of 15 semester hours in an emphasis area from EIU Early Childhood, Elementary Education or Middle Level Education courses, and a thesis or applied/action research requirement. Evening classes, off-campus classes, summer sessions and independent study arrangements are offered, permitting students to pursue graduate degrees while meeting other personal and professional commitments.

The course of study consists of 35-36 semester hours of course credit with a thesis or applied/action research requirement, or 32 semester hours for programs without a thesis. The program is designed to encompass three areas: basic courses in education (these courses provide a background in fundamental educational theory), specific requirements in an area of emphasis and a research component.

The program is devoted to the field of elementary education with opportunities for study in the emphasis areas such as early childhood, elementary curriculum, elementary integrated curriculum, middle level,  and reading. Students may choose courses according to individual needs, professional interests, and teaching level. Courses in reading may be selected which will lead to the Illinois certification for reading teacher endorsement and meet the standards of the International Reading Association.

Program of Studies


The program of studies for candidates requires minimally 35-36 semester hours of course work. The program is to be completed in three phases: Introduction, Area of Emphasis, and Culmination (research component).

Phase I Introduction


Credits: Minimum of 12
A 3.0 GPA is required to continue to Phase II. Prerequisites must be completed as needed for admission to Teacher Education for Post-Baccalaureate certification with Master’s.

Phase II Area of Emphasis


Credits: 15

Basic Education: Select 5-6 semester hours of Basic Education from listing above.

Select one Area of Emphasis: 15 semester hours.

Guided Electives


Guided Electives: Select 6 hours from:

Emphasis in Elementary Integrated Curriculum


Credits: 15

Emphasis in Middle Level Education


Credits: 15

Emphasis in Reading


Credits: 15
Reading Teacher Endorsement:
  • Students need a total of 24 semester hours of reading instruction (graduate or undergraduate) in areas/topics that are aligned with the Reading Teacher Standards in order to receive the Reading Teacher endorsement.
  • Students must also complete coursework (graduate or undergraduate) that addresses “literature apporopriate to students across all grade ranges” in order to meet the guidleines for the Reading Teacher endorsement. Any one of the following courses could be taken as an elective at the graduate level to meet this requirement:  ENG 4903, 4905; ELE 5400, 5990.
  • The Reading Teacher endorsement also requires the applicant to successfully complete the Reading Teacher content area test.

Phase III Culmination


Credits: 3

Graduate Assistantships


Information on graduate assistantships may be obtained by contacting the Coordinator of Graduate Studies or Chair, Early Childhood, Elementary and Middle Level Education, 2220 Buzzard Hall, EIU.

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