The MEd in Elementary Education with Dance Endorsement is designed for individuals looking to make a difference in the lives of children through dance instruction and is offered in partnership with Chicago Public Schools (CPS) Residency Programs

The program is designed for maximum impact to complete coursework with evening and online options, allowing you to be employed as a CPS teacher resident while pursuing your degree.

In this program, you will focus on inclusive education and develop pedagogical and advocacy skills to promote equity and social justice for all learners in your classroom. Graduates receive a Professional Educator License (PEL) with elementary and ESL endorsements along with a Dance endorsement based on 18 credit hours of existing dance coursework required to enter the program.

This program is designed for individuals seeking to secure an initial teaching license and to teach dance in elementary schools.

An integral component of our teacher preparation program is classroom experience where candidates engage directly with students and educators while developing their pedagogical expertise. To gain this experience, candidates will be employed as full-time CPS teacher residents and provided a resident stipend of $40,000 by CPS.

Curriculum

Completion of the MEd degree program in Elementary Education with Dance requires 38 semester hours. Upon successful completion of the program, candidates are eligible for an Illinois Professional Educator License with endorsements in Elementary Education, English-as-a-Second Language (ESL) and Dance.

All courses are hybrid, meaning they meet for half of the contact hours in-person and half online. 

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
TLSC 401	Language, Learning & Development Theories in Practice	2
TLSC 403	Teaching for Social Justice and Equity	3
TLSC 404	Constructive Learning Environments for Diverse Students	3
TLSC 406	Educational Policy for Diverse Students	3
TLSC 407	Individualized Assessment and Instruction for Diverse Students	3
TLSC 420	Teaching Mathematics in Elementary Grade Classrooms	2
TLSC 421	Teaching Science in Elementary Grade Classrooms	2
TLSC 422	Teaching Social Studies in Elementary Grade Classrooms	2
TLSC 440	Language and Literacy	3
TLSC 442	Disciplinary Literacy	3
TLSC 450	Teaching and Learning in an Area of Specialization	3
TLSC 460	Developing Rigorous and Relevant Instruction and Assessment	2
TLSC 461	Designing and Implementing Rigorous and Relevant Instruction	3
TLSC 470A	Student Teaching for Change	1-6
TLSC 470B	Student Teaching for Change	1-6

Suggested Sequence of Courses

The below sequence of courses is meant to be used as a suggested path for completing coursework.  An individual student’s completion of requirements depends on course offerings in a given term as well as the start term for a major or graduate study.  Students should consult their advisor for assistance with course selection.

Plan of Study Grid

Year 1
Summer I		Hours
TLSC 401	Language, Learning & Development Theories in Practice	2
TLSC 403	Teaching for Social Justice and Equity	3
TLSC 404	Constructive Learning Environments for Diverse Students	3
TLSC 406	Educational Policy for Diverse Students	3
TLSC 407	Individualized Assessment and Instruction for Diverse Students	3
TLSC 422	Teaching Social Studies in Elementary Grade Classrooms	2
	Hours	16
Fall
TLSC 420	Teaching Mathematics in Elementary Grade Classrooms	2
TLSC 421	Teaching Science in Elementary Grade Classrooms	2
TLSC 440	Language and Literacy	3
TLSC 442	Disciplinary Literacy	3
TLSC 450	Teaching and Learning in an Area of Specialization	3
	Hours	13
Spring
TLSC 460	Developing Rigorous and Relevant Instruction and Assessment	2
TLSC 461	Designing and Implementing Rigorous and Relevant Instruction	3
TLSC 470A	Student Teaching for Change	1-6
	Hours	6
Year 2
Summer I
TLSC 470B	Student Teaching for Change	1-6
	Hours	3
	Total Hours	38

Program Length

This is a 1-year program beginning in the summer, designed for you to complete your coursework and fieldwork with a blend of in-person, online and evening courses. The program allows candidates to seek out their degree and teaching licensure while employed in a paid full-time teacher residency through CPS. Students have five years from acceptance to complete the program.

Continuous Enrollment

Master's students in Elementary Education are required to maintain continuous enrollment during their program of studies. This means that during each semester of each academic year (excluding Summer Sessions), each student must enroll in at least one course. A formal leave of absence may be granted upon request and the approval of the School of Education’s Assistant Dean of Student Academic Affairs.

Comprehensive Assessment

All teacher candidates complete a Professional Practice Profile during student teaching. The Professional Practice Profile consists of two components. This includes an essay on the conceptual framework in the School of Education, Professionalism in Service of Social Justice, and a reflection on collaborative relationships in education.

Graduation Requirements

• Maintain overall GPA of 3.0 for graduation
• Complete student teaching experience
• Complete all degree requirements
• Complete comprehensive assessments

Licensure Requirements

• Complete coursework with related fieldwork
• Complete student teaching experience
• Complete required assessments

Graduate & Professional Standards and Regulations

Students in graduate and professional programs can find their Academic Policies in Graduate and Professional Academic Standards and Regulations under their school. Any additional University Policies supercede school policies.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

You will utilize information from theories and related research-based practices when making decisions and taking action in your classroom, using data to drive instruction and assess teaching and learning effectiveness. You will gain extensive experience engaging with diverse populations, including students labeled as emergent bilinguals.