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Master of Arts

This program is available on the Aurora and Woodstock Center campuses.

Program Description

This program offers a path to a Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction: Teaching Diverse Learners degree, along with Illinois State Board of Education issued endorsements for Learning Behavioral Specialist 1 (LBS1) and English as a Second Language (ESL). This program will enable students to develop enhanced teaching strategies, focusing specifically on diverse learners in a PK-12 school setting. Courses will focus on planning, instruction, and assessment practices for students with special learning and language needs. Additionally, courses will address curriculum development for and researched-based approaches to serve special populations.

This graduate degree program can be completed within two years according to the scheduled program of study.

Admission Requirements

Applicants seeking to enter the program must submit:

• A completed Graduate Application for Admission (aurora.edu/auapply).
• Official transcripts from all previous undergraduate and graduate institutions attended
• One letter of reference from an individual able to attest to the student’s academic and/or professional potential
• Personal statement of past professional experience and future educational goals
• Current resume

Additional Requirements Include:

• Valid Teaching Professional Educator License (PEL)
• Currently employed as a classroom teacher
• Undergraduate/Graduate GPA of 3.0 or higher

Program Requirements 

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Required Core Curriculum
EDU-6061	Scholarship Applied to Teaching	3
EDU-6115	Foundations for Language Minority Education of Diverse Learners	3
EDU-6125	Linguistics for Teaching Diverse Populations	3
EDU-6200	Cross Cultural Curriculum for Diversity	3
EDU-6221	Methods and Materials for Teaching Diverse Learners	3
EDU/SPED-6501	Assessment of Diverse Learners: Special Education and ESL	3
EDU/SPED-6545	Collaboration, Differentiation, Instruction, and Transition for Diverse Learners	3
EDU-6630	Curriculum Development and Evaluation	3
SPED-6515	Characteristics and Identification of Disabilities and the Law for Diverse Populations	3
SPED-6525	Cognitive Development and Disabilities of Diverse Learners	3
SPED-6555	Prosocial and Problematic Behavior Strategies for Diverse Learners	3
SPED-6565	Strategies and Assistive Technology for Students with Multiple Disabilities and Diverse Learners	3
Total Credits		36

Graduate Degree Requirements

1. When a student's academic performance does not meet minimum standards, the instructor should send an academic alert to the student.
2. A student is placed on academic warning at the end of any semester when their cumulative or semester program/major GPA is less than 3.0.
3. A student, placed on academic warning for a second time (not necessarily consecutive semesters) will be academically dismissed, for poor scholarship.
4. A student, will be academically dismissed if their Term GPA is 0.00 in any given semester.
5. A graduate student, who is dimissed from Aurora University for poor scholarship may apply for readmission after one full semester away (Spring, Summer, or Fall).
6. To be considered for readmission, a new application for admission and a petition for readmission are both required to be filed no less than 30 days prior to the requested semester of return, with the Office of Admissions.
7. The petition will be reviewed by an academic program committee, comprised of the academic program director/chair and two faculty designated by the Jurisdictional Academic Dean, to make a determination based on the academic standards of the program.  The academic program committee may require an in person meeting with the student as deemed necessary.
8. Should readmission be granted, the student will be readmitted on Academic Warning.  Should the cumulative program GPA fall below 3.0 in a subsequent semester, the student will be dismissed from the university.
9. A student who had already had their petition for readmission denied by the academic program may appeal the decision to the Jurisdictional Academic Dean over the program.  The step must be completed in the form of a written request to the Academic Dean within one calendar week after the student has been informed of the program committee decision.  The Academic Dean will appoint two faculty members to serve on an ad hoc committee working to review the student's appeal. The ad hoc appeal committee will review all relevant materials and meet with the student and others, as deemed necessary. The decision of this ad hoc appeal committee is final.  The ad hoc appeal committee will then report back to the program and the University Registrar regarding the final decision and its reasoning.

Learning Outcomes