Curriculum and Instruction: Literacy and English Language Learning / Master of Education (M.Ed.)
Grounded in the belief that all children can learn and deserve a high quality education, this program leads to endorsement as a Reading Teacher and as a teacher for English Language Learners. To better prepare teachers as professionals working in diverse schools, the dual endorsement M.Ed. coursework meets State of Illinois requirements for both ESL and reading teacher endorsements in 33 credit hours.
In addition to the in College of Education admission requirements, candidates seeking the Master of Education in Literacy and English Language Learning must meet the following requirements:
1. A valid Illinois Professional Educator License with teaching endorsement.
2. Fulfillment of Survey of Exceptional Child requirement (105 ILCS 5/21-2a).
3. Successful completion of the following program requirements. No more than six (6) hours may be transferred; certain courses may not be transferred:
Degree Requirements
Required courses (30)
| 51-510 | Foundations of Teaching Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Populations | 3 |
| 51-512 | Linguistics for the Teachers of English Language Learners | 3 |
| 51-526 | Methods and Materials for Teaching English as a New Language | 3 |
| 51-557 | Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment for School Improvement | 3 |
| 52-539 | Assessment of Literacy and English Language Learning | 3 |
| 52-542 | Cross-Cultural Studies in Literacy and English Language Learning | 3 |
| 52-509 | Child and Adolescent Literature | 3 |
| 52-533 | Methods and Strategies for Reading Comprehension Instruction, Including Instructional Practicum for the Reading Teacher | 3 |
| 52-536 | Remediation of Reading Difficulties | 3 |
| 52-575 | Practical Research for Learning Communities | 3 |
65 Clinical/fieldwork hours which are embedded into required courses.
Comprehensive Examination Required
Fieldwork Experience Requirement in ESL
One of the following courses (3)
| 52-523 | Foundations and Methods of Teaching Reading Grades 4-12, Including the Content Areas | 3 |
-
| OR (dependent on previous coursework) | |
| 52-524 | Foundations and Methods of Teaching Reading Grades P-3 | 3 |
33 credit hours total are required for the Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction: Literacy and English Language Learning degree.
In order to meet the ISBE Reading Teacher Endorsement requirements, the design of the M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction: Literacy and English Language Learning requires that a candidate have at least three hours of previous graduate or undergraduate coursework in reading. Anyone who does not have three hours of previous reading coursework can fulfill that deficiency through Lewis University.
State Assessment Requirements
At the conclusion of the program, candidates seeking Reading Teacher Endorsement on a Professional Educator License must pass the Illinois Test for the Reading Teacher, or its State-approved equivalent. ESL Endorsement requires 100 clinical/fieldwork hours or three months teaching with ESL/ELL students.