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Master of Education

Master of Education

33 credit hours | 1.3 years

Why study the Master of Education at TGS?

This degree is available exclusively online! Every course involves continual online interactions with highly qualified professors and with cohort members. Some online synchronous meetings will be required. For more information, see our online opportunities.

“I haven’t had struggles that other classroom teachers have had with being able to differentiate appropriately. I have learners that are at a first- or second-grade level in a fourth-grade classroom, and I have students that are above a fourth-grade level. But because of this graduate program, I can differentiate in a way that other teachers haven’t even been exposed to yet.”

—Melissa Ramlow, MEd graduate

ABOUT THIS DEGREE

The endorsements embedded in this degree program and the degree itself include key elements that support a teacher’s skill, employability, and professional advancement. This program, unlike many other graduate degrees, is purposely designed to be practical. Every assignment asks teachers to take what they are learning, apply it in the classroom, and report the results.

WHAT WILL I STUDY?

Because of the practical nature of the courses, anyone enrolled in this program or any part of it must have access to a classroom. Optimally, students will be teachers in their own classrooms, but having classroom access will suffice.

Programs are aligned with Illinois licensure requirements. Residents of other states should check their state’s licensure requirements.

LEARNING AND BEHAVIOR SPECIALIST COURSES: 9 HOURS

Course	Title	Credits
ED 5800	Characteristics and Identification of Learners with Disabilities	3 hours
ED 5830	Psychoeducational Assessment of Learners with Disabilities	3 hours
ED 5850	Methods of Teaching Learners with Disabilities	3 hours

Successful completion of these courses, in addition to a Special Education course that most teachers take in their undergraduate or graduate programs, will enable the licensed teacher to apply to the Illinois State Board of Education for an LBS1 endorsement.

ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE COURSES: 18 HOURS

Course	Title	Credits
ED 5580	Cultural Diversity in the American Classroom	3 hours
ED 6400	Foundations of Teaching English as a Second Language	3 hours
ED 6420	Linguistics for the Classroom Teacher	3 hours
ED 6450	Assessment of Learners who are Bilingual	3 hours
ED 6470	Methods and Materials for Teaching English as a Second Language	3 hours
ED 7410	Practicum in Teaching English as a Second Language	3 hours

Successful completion of these courses will enable the licensed teacher to apply to the Illinois State Board of Education for an ESL endorsement.

ADDITIONAL REQUIRED COURSES: 6 HOURS

Course	Title	Credits
ED 5550	Differentiating Instruction for All Learners	3 hours
ED 6300	Differentiating Instruction for Learners who are Gifted	3 hours

ENDORSEMENTS

Students who do not wish to enroll in the full master’s degree can elect to pursue a Learning and Behavior Specialist (LBS1) endorsement and/or an endorsement in English as a Second Language (ESL) in Illinois. The courses for the LBS1 can be completed in just one semester and the ESL courses will take only one academic year to complete.