Graduate Majors
The Department of Curriculum and Instruction offers two graduate programs that lead to the Master of Science in Education degree: elementary education and reading specialist.
The Master of Science degree in elementary education not only influences career advancement, but also keeps elementary teachers abreast of developments in their chosen profession. The elementary education degree program enables graduate students to develop an area of specialization in early childhood education, language and literature, mathematics, social studies, science, or multidisciplinary studies. This program does not lead to teacher certification and is primarily designed for individuals who have already earned a teaching certificate. Traditional weekly evening classes and Saturday classes are offered in Macomb and Quad Cities. Core required courses and courses in the multidisciplanary area of specialization are available online.
The Reading Specialist Graduate Program is designed for teachers who wish to increase their knowledge and skills in delivering reading instruction to students in grades K-12 and become leaders in improving reading instruction in their school districts. Teachers completing this program are eligible to apply for a reading specialist endorsement. Courses are available for teachers who are seeking the Illinois reading teacher or the Iowa reading endorsements. The majority of courses required for these endorsements are offered in a face to face format. Candidates can complete the reading specialist program in Macomb, Springfield, and Quad Cities. Teachers applying for this program must hold an appropriate teaching certificate.
Graduate Assistantships
Graduate assistantships are available for those pursuing a Master of Science in Education degree with a major in Elementary Education or Reading Specialist. This position offers an opportunity for students to provide instructional, research, and clerical support for faculty.
A graduate assistant completes at least nine semester hours of coursework each semester and works with one or more faculty for fifteen hours each week.
Graduate assistants do not pay tuition for these hours and receive a monthly stipend. Assistant ships are awarded for a single year, but may be renewed for one additional year.
Positions are available on both the Macomb and Quad Cities campuses. Applications are available through the School of Graduate Studies. For additional information, contact Dr. Cindy Dooley.
Admission Requirements
Individuals applying for admission in the graduate reading specialist or elementary education program must hold a bachelor’s degree from an institution that is accredited by the appropriate agency or that is recognized by the Board of Education of the state in which the institution is located.
Other requirements for admission to the elementary education or reading specialist graduate program include the following:
1. Admission to the School of Graduate Studies
2. Cumulative GPA of 2.75
3. Acceptance by the Department Graduate Committee
4. Teacher certification (All candidates for the reading specialist graduate
program must be certified teachers. Candidates for the elementary education
graduate program who are not certified teachers must complete an interview
with the Department Graduate Committee or its designee, which will provide
the basis for acceptance or nonacceptance of the application.)
The Graduate Record Examination is not required.