Education in Curriculum and Instruction, M.S.

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Graduate Faculty: Byung-In Seo, Olanipekun Laosebikan, Athanase Gahungu, Garrard McClendon

Content Designations:

Curriculum & Instruction in Instructional Foundations (CIIF)

The Curriculum and Instruction in Instructional Foundations Program (CIIF):

leads to the Master of Science in Education degree in Curriculum and Instruction with an option in Instructional Foundations. This program option consists of the following three concentrations: Adult Education, Community Leadership, and Teacher Leadership. Depending upon the concentration chosen, the curriculum provides candidates with the background and skills necessary for employment as a curriculum specialist, educational consultant in adult education, community leader, and/or teacher leader. Completion of coursework related to these program options does not qualify candidates for licensure by entitlement or a recommendation for licensure.

Concentration Descriptions

Adult Education:

The Adult Education concentration prepares professionals to work with and teach adults in a variety of contexts and settings. A key objective in adult education is to develop programs to meet the needs of individuals. Careful attention is paid to reviewing previous experience and analyzing the career goals of each candidate in order to design a meaningful and relevant educational experience.

The required course work in the adult education concentration is designed to provide candidates with the knowledge and skills needed to become competent practitioners in the field of adult education. The Adult Education concentration emphasizes knowledge and skill development in four areas: technical knowledge and skills, business knowledge and skills, interpersonal knowledge and skills, and intellectual skills.

Community Leadership:

The Community Leadership concentration is designed to provide candidates with the knowledge and skills required for meeting the growing need for leadership expertise in community agencies and non-profit organizations, both locally and abroad according to workplace projections and expected job growth.

Required coursework in the community leadership concentration is designed to enable candidates enrolled in this option to develop expertise in vital leadership, organizational management, and strategic planning skills needed in non-traditional educational settings.

Teacher Leadership:

The Teacher Leadership concentration prepares candidates for the state endorsement in Teacher Leadership. The need for school reform and transformation, especially urban school transformation, has created a widespread recognition that principals cannot do this job alone. School leadership also comes from teaching faculty. Teacher leaders perform crucial roles in the school from induction and mentoring new teachers, to coaching seasoned teachers, to providing professional development and expertise on curriculum reform.

Application Procedure

To apply for admission to this program, candidates should go to: https://www.csu.edu/graduateschool/ and then follow the instructions provided on this homepage in submitting their application online. Official transcripts from all institutions previously attended, (except CSU), are required. Questions about the application process should be directed to the Office of Graduate and Professional Studies at Chicago State University, (773) 995-2404 or grad-admissions@csu.edu

Admission Requirements

In addition to meeting the university’s general admission requirements, the applicant must:

Have an earned bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
Have a grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 (on a 4-point grading scale). A 2.75 GPA is needed for conditional admission.
Provide (in the online application system) a written and concise statement of purpose, describing his/her academic and research background, career goals, and reason for applying to this degree program. Please be specific in explaining how the course offerings and faculty expertise of this program fit your educational and career objectives; and
Provide two letters of recommendation, (which need to be uploaded directly by the referees into the online application system), from persons familiar with his/her educational background and work experience.

Additional Required Documents for International Applicants Only:

A course-by-course transcript evaluation from Education Credentials Evaluators (ECE) or World Educational Services (WES).
Proof of English Proficiency: TOEFL/IELTS Official Score Report or Waiver Application
International Student Packet: - Bank Statement; and Notarized Financial Statement Form and Certificate of Sponsorship.

Specific Requirements (30 credit hours)

Core Courses (15 credit hours):

ELCF 5010 - Curr Dvlpmt/Lrn Thry Credit Hours: 3
ELCF 5320 - Curr/Inst Dsgn/Dlvry Credit Hours: 3
ELCF 5410 - Proposal Dev Gp Fund Credit Hours: 3
ELCF 5640 - Sem Organznl Dynamcs Credit Hours: 3
ELCF 5950 - Practicum in C&I Credit Hours: 3

Concentrations Courses (15 credit hours):

Additional Requirements for Degree Completion:

The candidate must successfully complete all required credit hours for the program.
A GPA of 3.0 or better must be maintained in the program and is required for degree completion.
All coursework for the degree, including transfer credits, must have been completed within the six years allowed for program completion.
The candidate must successfully complete required practicum experience ((24 credit hr. prerequisite**)
Professional Portfolio (required by the end of the practicum experience, which is completed during ELCF 5950 . This portfolio must be uploaded into Live text for grading purposes.

Note: Candidates must abide by all College policies stated in this catalog unless exceptions or adherence to higher expectations are noted in program documentation.