The MEd in Elementary Education with Theater Endorsement is designed for individuals looking to make a difference in the lives of children through theater 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 Theater endorsement based on 18 credit hours of existing theater coursework required to enter the program.
This program is designed for individuals seeking to secure an initial teaching license and to teach theater 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 Theater 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 Theater.
Coursework listed in order taken in program of study (38 credit hours).
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 |
| Total Hours | 38 |
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 |
|---|
| 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 | 7 |
| Year 2 |
|---|
| Summer I |
|---|
| TLSC 470B |
Student Teaching for Change |
1-6 |
| | Hours | 2 |
| | Total Hours | 38 |
Program Length
This is a 1-year program beginning in the summer, designed for you to complete your coursework and fieldwork witha 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.
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
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.
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 supersede school policies.
