The School of Education offers candidates with a bachelor’s degree an alternative route to attaining an initial Professional Educator License in the state of Illinois. In this program candidates complete an intensive summer experience of courses and internship and earn an Educator License with Stipulations. They then secure a full-time teaching position. Following successful completion of the two-year program of classes and residency, candidates will be eligible for a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degree or a Master of Science in Special Education degree and the Professional Educator License (PEL).
Alternative licensure programs are offered in the following areas:
- Elementary Education with ESL and/or Bilingual Endorsement
- Middle School: English/Arts
- Middle School: Mathematics
- Middle School: Science
- Middle School: Social Sciences
- Secondary: Biology
- Secondary: Chemistry
- Secondary: English/Language Arts
- Special Education
Unlike a traditional teacher-preparation program, the alternative licensure programs make it possible for individuals with bachelor’s degrees to take necessary coursework while completing required teaching experience. The program is two years in length and requires candidates to complete a residency (full-time teaching) while enrolled in course work in the evenings and on weekends.
Program Structure
Pre-residency
The pre-residency is completed during the first summer in the program. Candidates enroll in two graduate education courses specific to their chosen area of study. They also complete a teaching internship. In order to continue in the program beyond the pre-residency, candidates must 1) submit a Pre-Residency Assessment Project and receive a passing rating. 2) receive an acceptable rating on the Summer Intern Evaluation Tool or comparable instrument, and 3) pass the content test(s) required for their licensure area. Upon completed residency, candidates will receive their Educator License with Stipulations.
Residency & Coursework (Year 1)
Beginning in the fall semester following pre-residency, candidates complete a two-year residency as the teacher of record in a high-need or under-resourced school while simultaneously completing the graduate course of study. During residency, candidates receive the support of a University Supervisor who visits their classrooms on a regular basis to observe and provide feedback. Candidates are also assigned a mentor teacher at their schools to provide additional support.
Candidates who are accepted into an alternative licensure program, but who are not currently teaching, are responsible for finding a teaching position in a high-need or under-resourced school. The School of Education will provide suggestions on schools or districts, but it is the candidate’s responsibility to find a position. Candidates will go through the typical application process that any teacher seeking a K-12 position would pursue. Your first step?
While completing residency, candidates complete coursework toward licensure. A description of the program of study for each program is provided below. In order to progress from year 1 in the program to year 2, candidates must 1) earn passing grades (C- or higher) and maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA in all program coursework, and 2) be recommended by both the university supervisor and school principal to continue in the program. Both the university supervisor and principal will formally assess candidates teaching performance.
Residency and Coursework (Year 2)
In the second year of the program, candidates continue in their residencies (full-time teaching) and they continue to take coursework. They need to successfully complete the Education Teacher Performance Assessment (edTPA) by the end of the first semester of the second year of residency. In order to complete the program and receive their degree and Professional Educator License, candidates must have earned a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher; 2) have received ratings of “developing,” “acceptable” or “exemplary” on each of dispositions identified by the School of Education; candidates cannot have ratings of “unacceptable;” 3) be recommended by both the university supervisor and school principal based on a formal assessment of teaching performance. If either the university supervisor or school principal has concerns about a candidate’s teaching performance, the candidate may continue into a third year of residency. An intervention/remediation plan would be put into effect that would outline resources and support to be provided to the candidate and a clear statement of expectations that a candidate would need to address according to a prescribed timeline.
NOTE : Those candidates who receive an overall “unsatisfactory” rating from the university supervisor and principal at the end of the second year of residency would exit the program without eligibility for entitlement for licensure.
Elementary/ESL-Bilingual Program
|
Course Number
|
Course Title
|
Credit Hours
|
|
Summer
|
|
|
|
EDUA 502/EDUA 502I
|
Introduction to Teaching and Early Field Experience (Internship)
|
3
|
|
SPEA 521
|
Exceptional Children: Characteristics and Methods for Supporting Learning in General Education
|
3
|
|
|
Totals for Summer
|
6
|
|
Fall (First Year)
|
|
|
|
EDUA 534
|
Literacy Development & Reading Methods
|
3
|
|
EDUA 526
|
Methods of Teaching Mathematics for Elementary Teachers
|
3
|
|
EDUA 592
|
Residency
|
1
|
|
EDUA 591
|
Seminar
|
0.5
|
|
|
Total for Fall
|
7.5
|
|
Spring (First Year)
|
|
|
|
EDUA 561
|
Content Area Reading & SS Methods for Elem and ML Teachers
|
3
|
|
EDUA 540
|
The Arts & Physical Education
|
1
|
|
EDUA 591
|
Seminar (and edTPA)
|
0.5
|
|
EDUA 592
|
Residency
|
1
|
|
|
Total for Spring
|
5.5
|
|
Summer (First Year)
|
|
|
|
EDUA 657
|
Foundations of Language Minority Education
|
3
|
|
EDUA 655
|
Language & Culture
|
3
|
|
|
Total for Summer
|
6
|
|
Fall (Second Year)
|
|
|
|
EDUA 541
|
Meth for Teaching Sci for Elem and ML Teachers
|
2
|
|
EDUA 651
|
Methods & Materials of ESL Education
|
3
|
|
EDUA 592
|
Residency
|
1
|
|
EDUA 591
|
Seminar
|
0.5
|
|
|
Total for Fall
|
6.5
|
|
Spring (Second Year)
|
|
|
|
EDUA 579
|
School & Society: Critical Issues in Educ.
|
3
|
|
EDUA 654
|
Assessment of Eng. Lang. Learners
|
3
|
|
EDUA 592
|
Residency
|
1
|
|
EDUA 591
|
Seminar
|
0.5
|
|
|
Total for Spring
|
7.5
|
|
Summer (Final Term)
|
|
|
|
EDUA 656
|
Linguistics (For candidates seeking ESL Endorsement or both ESL & Bilingual Endorsements)
|
3
|
|
EDUA 653*
|
Methods/Materials of Bilingual Educ.(For candidates seeking both ESL & BIL. Endorsements. *Note: there is additional costs for this class)
|
3
|
|
|
Total for Summer
|
3 (6 for both ESL & BILG.)
|
| |
TOTAL GRADUATE CREDIT HOURS
|
42
(45 for ESL & Bilingual)
|
Middle Level Program of Study
|
Course Number
|
Course Title
|
Credit Hours
|
|
Summer
|
|
|
|
EDUA 503
|
Introduction to Teaching and Core Practices
|
3
|
|
EDUA 503I
|
Introduction to Teaching and Core Practices (Internship)
|
0
|
|
EDUA 588
|
Meth. of Reading & Rdg in the Content Areas for MS/Sec
|
3
|
|
|
Totals for Summer
|
6
|
|
Fall (First Year)
|
|
|
|
EDUA 580 (ELA)
EDUA 581 (Soc. Sci.)
EDUA 582 (MATH)
EDUA 584 (SCI)
|
Teaching and Assessing in [English Language Arts/ General Science/ Math/Social Science] Middle and Secondary Level Classrooms and Providing Diverse Learners Access to the General Education Curriculum
|
Block
Methods/SPED
6
|
|
EDUA 593
|
Middle Level Education Residency
|
1
|
|
|
Total for Fall
|
7
|
|
Spring (First Year)
|
|
|
|
EDUA 556 (ELA)
EDUA 557 (Soc. Sci.)
EDUA 558 (MATH)
EDUA 559 (SCIENCE)
|
Methods in Mid/Sec [English Language Arts/ General Science/ Math/Social Science] and Disciplinary Literacy
|
Block Methods/Literacy
6
|
|
EDUA 596
|
Teaching Capstone in MS/Sec Education
|
1
|
|
EDUA 593
|
Middle Level Education Residency
|
1
|
|
|
Total for Spring
|
8
|
|
Summer (Second Year)
|
|
|
|
EDUA 657
|
Foundations of Language Minority Education
|
3
|
|
SPEA 521
|
Exceptional Children: Characteristics and Methods for Supporting Learning in the General Education Classroom
|
3
|
|
|
Total for Summer
|
6
|
|
Fall (Second Year)
|
|
|
|
Required of all MS Programs:
|
|
|
EDUA 651
|
Methods and Materials of ESL Education (ELA 1st 8 weeks takes; Math/Sci/SS will take this 2nd 8 wks)
|
3
|
|
EDUA 593
|
Middle Level Education Residency
|
1
|
|
EDUA 595
|
MS/Sec Seminar
|
.5
|
|
(Check w/ Advisor for appropriate required course):
|
|
|
EDUA 583 (ELA)
|
Children’s and Young Adult Literature
ELA teachers required to take this course to meet ISBE content knowledge requirements. (ELA 2nd 8 wks)
|
3
|
|
EDUA 655 (Math, SCI, SS)
|
Language and Culture (Math, SCI, SS 1st 8 wks)
|
3
|
|
|
Total for Fall
|
7.5
|
|
Spring (Second Year)
|
|
|
|
EDUA 579
|
School and Society: Critical Issues in Education
|
3
|
|
EDUA 589
|
Cognition, Learning, and Assessment
|
3
|
|
EDUA 593
|
Middle Level Education Residency
|
1
|
|
EDUA 595
|
MS/Sec Seminar
|
.5
|
|
|
Total for Spring
|
7.5
|
|
|
TOTAL GRADUATE CREDIT HOURS
|
42
|
Secondary Level Program of Study
|
Course Number
|
Course Title
|
Credit Hours
|
|
Summer
|
|
|
|
EDUA 503
|
Introduction to Teaching and Core Practices
|
3
|
|
EDUA 503I
|
Introduction to Teaching and Core Practices (Internship)
|
0
|
|
EDUA 588
|
Meth. of Reading & Rdg in the Content Areas for MS/Sec
|
3
|
|
|
Totals for Summer
|
6
|
|
Fall (First Year)
|
|
|
|
EDUA 580 (ELA)
or
EDUA 584 (SCI)
|
Teaching and Assessing in [English Language Arts/ Science] Middle and Secondary Level Classrooms and Providing Diverse Learners Access to the General Education Curriculum
|
Block
Methods/SPED
6
|
|
EDUA 594
|
Secondary Level Education Residency
|
1
|
|
|
Total for Fall
|
7
|
|
Spring (First Year)
|
|
|
|
EDUA 556 (ELA)
or
EDUA 559 (SCI)
|
Methods in Middle and Secondary [English Language Arts/ Science] & Disciplinary Literacy
|
Block Methods/Literacy
6
|
|
EDUA 596
|
Teaching Capstone in MS/Sec Education
|
1
|
|
EDUA 594
|
Secondary Level Education Residency
|
1
|
|
|
Total for Spring
|
8
|
|
Summer (Second Year)
|
|
|
|
EDUA 657
|
Foundations of Language Minority Education
|
3
|
|
SPEA 521
|
Exceptional Children: Characteristics and Methods for Supporting Learning in the General Education Classroom
|
3
|
|
|
Total for Summer
|
6
|
|
Fall (Second Year)
|
|
|
|
Required of all Sec. Programs:
|
|
|
EDUA 651
|
Methods and Materials of ESL Education (ELA 1st 8 weeks takes; Math/Sci/SS will take this 2nd 8 wks)
|
3
|
|
EDUA 594
|
Secondary Level Education Residency
|
1
|
|
EDUA 595
|
MS/Sec Seminar
|
.5
|
|
(Check w/ advisor for appropriate course):
|
|
|
EDUA 583 (ELA)
|
Children’s and Young Adult Literature
ELA teachers required to take this course to meet ISBE content knowledge requirements. (ELA 2nd 8 wks)
|
3
|
|
EDUA 655 (Sci/Math/SS)
|
Language and Culture (Math, SCI, SS 1st 8 wks)
|
3
|
|
|
Total for Fall
|
7.5
|
|
Spring (Second Year)
|
|
|
|
EDUA 579
|
School and Society: Critical Issues in Education
|
3
|
|
EDUA 589
|
Cognition, Learning, and Assessment
|
3
|
|
EDUA 594
|
Secondary Level Education Residency
|
1
|
|
EDUA 595
|
MS/Sec Seminar
|
.5
|
|
|
Total for Spring
|
7.5
|
| |
TOTAL GRADUATE CREDIT HOURS
|
42
|
Special Education
|
Course Number
|
Course Title
|
Credit Hours
|
|
Summer
|
|
|
|
EDUA 689
|
Introduction to Teaching and Early Field Experience (Internship)
|
3
|
|
SPEA 521
|
Exceptional Children: Characteristics and Methods for Supporting Learning in the General Education Classroom (3)
|
3
|
|
|
Totals for Summer
|
6
|
|
Fall (First Year)
|
|
|
|
SPEA 691
|
Assessment and Individualized Planning in SPED
|
3
|
|
EDUA 533
|
Reading/Writing Instruction and Improvement
|
3
|
|
SPEA 699
|
Seminar in Special Education
|
0.5
|
|
SPEA 706
|
Residency in Special Education
|
1
|
|
|
Total for Fall (First Year)
|
7.5
|
|
Spring (First Year)
|
|
|
|
SPEA 659
|
Managing Challenging Behavior
|
3
|
|
SPEA 692
|
Reading and Learning Strategy Instruction in Middle and High School Content Area
|
3
|
|
SPEA 699
|
Seminar in Special Education
|
0.5
|
|
SPEA 706
|
Residency in Special Education
|
1
|
|
|
Total for Spring (First Year)
|
7.5
|
|
Summer (First Year)
|
|
|
|
SPEA 690
|
Evidence Based Instruction for Students with Disabilities
|
3
|
|
|
Total for Summer (First Year)
|
3
|
|
Fall (Second Year)
|
|
|
|
SPEA 664
|
Curriculum and Methods for Students with Moderate to Severe Disabilities
|
3
|
|
ECEA 503
|
Child, Family and Community Relationships
|
3
|
|
SPEA 699
|
Seminar in Special Education
|
0.5
|
|
SPEA 706
|
Residency in Special Education
|
1
|
|
|
Total for Fall (Second Year)
|
7.5
|
|
Spring (Second Year)
|
|
|
|
EDUA 589
|
Cognition, Learning and Assessment
|
3
|
|
EDUA 566
|
Teaching Mathematics for Elementary and Middle Level
|
3
|
|
SPEA 699
|
Seminar in Special Education
|
0.5
|
|
SPEA 706
|
Residency in Special Education
|
1
|
|
|
Total for Spring (Second Year)
|
7.5
|
|
Summer (Second Year)
|
|
|
|
EDUA 657
|
Foundations of Language Minority Education
|
3
|
|
|
TOTAL GRADUATE CREDIT HOURS
|
42
|
