Navigating the Graduate Program
Important Information
1. Once you are accepted into the program, you will receive a letter indicating the advisor to whom you are assigned and providing guidelines on beginning the program. It is important to follow the procedure outlined in the letter.
2. Together with your advisor you will select the coursework appropriate to the area of specialization you wish to pursue.
3. The Master of Science in Education with a Major in Elementary Education is a degree program comprised of 30 semester hours of coursework. The components of the degree are as follows:
A. Core Requirements:
EIS 500 (This course is not offered by our department. Special
permission required for the course, must be obtained by calling the
EIS office at 309-298-1183).
For Elementary Education Graduate Students:
ELED 560 (Offered every spring semester. Special permission is
required.)
ELED 566 (Offered every fall semester. Special permission is required.)
For Elementary Education Early Childhood Graduate Students:
ECH 474g
ECH 539
B. Directed Elective (3-4 SH)
You will choose from a list of courses in consultation with your advisor.
C. Areas of Specialization (12 SH)
Each student will select an area of specialization from the following
options:
Early Childhood Education
Language and Literature
Mathematics
Multidisciplinary (Courses in three content areas must be included.)
D. Open Elective (3 SH)
4. Familiarize yourself with the course offerings for the upcoming semesters. Be sure to register early as courses do fill up.
5. Courses on the degree plan must be graduate level. Twelve semester hours of 400g is permitted. Note that a 400 level course taken as an undergraduate may not be selected in the graduate program.
6. With approval of the graduate advisor, six semester hours of eligible coursework may be transferred from another institution.
7. When you have completed nine semester hours in your graduate program, you will complete the official Graduate Degree Plan. When all the information is entered on your official Graduate Degree Plan, you must sign it and submit it to your advisor who will obtain the necessary approval. The Graduate Office will mail an approved copy to you.
8. The time frame for completing the degree is six years. In certain circumstances, an extension of two additional years is permitted.
9. If, (with your advisor's approval), you make changes to your graduate plan once it is approved, you will need to petition to substitute appropriate courses. For this purpose, you will use the Official Petition Form. The form is available on the Graduate School Website.
10. In your final semester, it is your responsibility to apply for graduation at least eight weeks before graduation.