Master of Arts
The program is offered at the Aurora and Woodstock Center locations.
Program Description
The Master of Arts in Teaching - Elementary Education is a two-year, 32 credit hour alternative licensure program that leads to a Professional Educator License for grades 1-6. The program requires students to secure a teaching (residency) position prior to enrollment. In the first year of residency, students will be the teacher of record or co-teacher for the school year and will attend class one evening per week to complete 12 credit hours. The following summer will include coursework, additional contact hours and planning/preparation for year two of the residency. Students may complete any additional course requirements at this time as well. In the second year of the residency, students will complete 11 credit hours of coursework, including submission and passage of the edTPA in the first semester. The schedule will immerse students in their classroom positions while they complete coursework. Students will work with an assigned mentor to provide support and guidance.
Admission Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree or higher with a major in one of the following content areas: English, language arts, math, physical science, reading, or social science
- Potential students who do not hold a bachelor's degree in one of these approved content areas will be required to submit transcripts to the state superintendent to be reviewed for equivalency
- Minimum GPA of 3.0 on the most recent transcripts
- Pass the ILTS 305 Elementary Education test
- Passage of ILTS 305 will provide an Educator License with Stipulations endorsed for Alternative Educator ELS (APE)
- Employment as a provisional teacher in an elementary school teaching grades 1-6
- Completed application to the School of Education
- Completed Acknowledgement of Initial Licensure Disposition Instrument
- Completed Statement of Understanding
- Established an ELIS (Educator Licensure Information System for Illinois) account
- Results from a TB Test
- Results from a criminal background check
Program Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EDU-5210 | Educational Psychology: Planning, Teaching, Leaning, Managing and Assessment for Differentiated and Personalized Learning | 3 |
| EDU-5310 | Methods of Primary Reading and Language Arts for Grades K-2 | 3 |
| EDU-5320 | Methods of Content Reading and Language Arts for Grades 3-6 | 3 |
| EDU-5400 | Methods of Mathematics for Grades 1-6 | 3 |
| EDU-5460 | Methods of Science Inquiry for Grades 1- 6 | 3 |
| EDU-5560 | Methods of Social Studies and Humanities for Grades 1-6 | 3 |
| EDU-5570 | Teaching the Exceptional Child for Grades 1-6 | 3 |
| EDU-5760 | Student Teaching Internship | 9 |
| EDU-5770 | Student Teaching Seminar | 2 |
| Total Credits | 32 | |
Graduate Degree Requirements
- Completion of all coursework specified by the graduate program.
- Cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, or higher if specified by the graduate program.
- Submission of all pre-graduation materials required by the graduate program.
- Acceptance of thesis or other required final project by the graduate program.
- Submission of two copies of approved thesis or project in a specified form together with payment of binding fee where applicable.
- Submission of Application for Graduation and payment of any graduation fees assessed by the university.
- In the case of certification programs, submission of all governmental forms.
- Residency Requirement: A minimum of 25% percent of the total credits required for the completion of the graduate degree or post-baccalaureate certificate or credential must be earned at Aurora University. Individual programs may establish more extensive residency requirements, including requirements that specific coursework be completed at Aurora University.
Learning Outcomes
- Students will demonstrate content knowledge in their program.
- Students will demonstrate the ability to plan instruction.
- Students will demonstrate ability to provide a supportive environment for student learning.
- Students will demonstrate the dispositions necessary for professional educators.
- Programs will demonstrate ability to produce effective educators.