Frequently Asked Questions
(FAQ's*) |
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1. Are there required courses as part of the program? | | 2. May the electives be taken in any area? |
Master of Education (M.Ed.) degree candidates complete a 34 semester hour program which includes 14 semester hours of required courses and 20 semester hours that can be used in a concentration or as electives in the personalized option.
Master of Science in Education (M.S.Ed.) degree candidates (for those seeking depth of specialization with a thesis requirement) complete a 36 semester hour program which includes 23 semester hours of required courses and 13 semester hours of electives.
Certificate of Advanced Study (CAS) candidates (for those who already have a Masters degree) complete a 30 semester hour program which includes 9 semester hours of required courses and 21 semester hours of electives.
These course requirements are detailed on our Curriculum and Instruction homepage.
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Personalized Option concentration electives may be customized by selecting 20 semester hours from any graduate courses throughout the college, as approved by an academic advisor.
Electives in other concentrations are determined by approval, endorsement, and/or certification requirements. See the catalog or click on the link(s) below for more detailed information regarding electives for each of the following concentrations.
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3. May I use CPD courses to fulfill my 20 semester hours of electives? | | 4. May I use
workshop credit? |
Center for Professional Development (CPD) courses are listed in the Quarterly in the CPD section or offered with a special partnership. Up to 15 semester hours minus any transfer credit from another university may be used. These courses are taught outside of the cluster program.
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6 semester hours of workshop credit may be used toward the M.Ed. degree when approved by an advisor. (See catalog for C.A.S.)
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5. May I transfer
credit(s) from
another university? | | 6. May I still enter the program if I have already taken courses at NLU? |
6 semester hours from an accredited graduate degree-granting institution will be accepted, provided that the credit is eligible toward a graduate degree at the institution from which it is being granted and has been taken within 6 years prior to graduation from NLU.
Credits earned for a previously awarded degree are ineligible.
Transferred credits are subtracted from the 15 semester hour limit on CPD courses.
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Up to 9 semester hours completed prior to admission will count toward the degree. If an admitted candidate wishes to petition to have more than 9 semester hours applied, application is made through one’s academic advisor to the Admission and Retention Council. (The form may be obtained by contacting your academic advisor or by calling 1-800-443-5522 x5621.)
If, prior to admission, a candidate has completed 20 graduate semester hours in ESL/BIL endorsement courses with NLU credit (through the Illinois Resource Center or through NCE on-campus or CPD courses), these credits will be accepted as long as they are taken within 6 years prior to graduation.
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7. Do I have to take
these courses
through a mini-cluster? | | 8. Is the entire C&I program taught as a full
cluster on or off campus? |
No, students may take the courses at their own pace at any of our campuses where they are offered.
The C&I program core courses are only taught on campus or in the mini-cluster.
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If there is a group of students who all want to take the same courses for their M.Ed. 20 s.h. electives (i.e., ESL/BIL, School Nursing), then the entire degree program may be offered in a cluster format.
Typically, M.Ed. concentrations in Mathematics Education, Science Education, Teaching for Conceptual Integration, and Health Education are offered as a full 34 s.h. cluster program.
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9. Does the C&I program lead to Illinois certification? |
Standard Teaching Certificates
No, but the degree program may be used to upgrade from an initial certification to regular certification. This program does not lead toward elementary or high school certification. Those interested in certification are advised to contact our Early Childhood, Elementary, or Secondary Education programs for information on certification.
Type 29 certified teachers may enroll in the Alternate Route to Certification Program to complete certification while employed full-time (for more information, contact the Elementary Ed. Program).
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Approvals/Endorsements
Approvals and Endorsements are in addition to the standard teaching certificate, and involve separate processes with the Illinois State Board of Education. They include the ESL and Bilingual approvals and endorsements, the School Nurse certification, and the option for Middle Level endorsements in Mathematics and Science, and Health Education endorsement for Secondary Education teachers.
For specific information regarding endorsements in various subject areas, please use the menu at the left and go to the appropriate concentration.
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10. Why might some of the courses on my graduate student plan differ from those described here? |
The Curriculum and Instruction Program implemented a revised and newly approved program design in late November 2003. If you have any questions about these requirements in relation to yours, it is recommended that you contact your assigned academic advisor.
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For application materials,
please contact 800-443-5522 ext 5151.
To be put in touch with an academic advisor
about the nature of specific courses,
check the contact information
listed in the applicable concentration or
contact the Curriculum & Instruction Program,
800-443-5522 ext 5621
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*This FAQ is meant to clarify, not replace the policies in the NCE graduate catalog.
C&I FAQ's page updated 6/25/04.
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