Practitioners continue to face increasing expectations for ensuring that learners have appropriate content-rich experiences in multiple disciplines and that these experiences positively impact learner achievement. The mission of the Curriculum and Instruction Program is to improve the ability of practitioners to support all learners through development of expertise in pertinent content areas and appropriate instructional pedagogy.

Health Education

This concentration is designed primarily for certified teachers at the secondary level who are seeking the Health Education Endorsement, certified school nurses, other health educators who are employed in a variety of positions, teachers and other educators who seek to enhance their understanding of health education and related methodology. The coursework supports health educators to take their knowledge of the principles of health and health education as well as their understanding of teaching into their professional practice. The goal is to promote health, prevent disease, and assist in educating others to support healthy lifestyle choices so that citizens are more informed and better prepared to contribute to the overall society.

Detailed information is available at the Curriculum & Instruction Health Education page.

Science Education

This concentration is designed for certified teachers and other educators who are seeking further enrichment, expertise, and confidence in their science content understanding, new learning experiences to fuel their enthusiasm and passion for science and science teaching, and unique opportunities to experiment with, refine, and reflect upon new methodologies and practices to engage children in learning science. This coursework is appropriate for teachers interested in obtaining the State of Illinois middle school science endorsement; additional endorsement coursework may be required.

Detailed information is available at the Curriculum & Instruction Science Education page.

Mathematics Education

This concentration is based on a constructivist approach to learning rooted in the philosophy of mathematics teaching and learning expressed by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. It is intended for certified teachers in grades 3 through 8, who may choose to complete the State of Illinois middle level mathematics endorsement requirements.

Detailed information is available at the Curriculum & Instruction Mathematics Education page.

Teaching for Conceptual Integration

This unique concentration focuses on how student learning can be enhanced when a teacher uses instructional methods to help students integrate concepts and processes from several subject areas of the curriculum. Intended for teachers who teach multiple subjects to the same group of students in grades K-6, the program helps teachers develop conceptual understanding of Reading/Language Arts, Social Studies, Mathematics, and Science by deliberately integrating them two at a time.

Detailed information is available at the Curriculum & Instruction Teaching for Conceptual Integration (TCI) page.

Social Studies

Students consult with their academic advisor to select courses in Social Studies Education.

ESL / Bilingual Education

The coursework of this concentration addresses needs of teachers interested in working with students who are non-native English speakers. Focus is on theories of language acquisition, strategies that promote cultural understanding, and teaching practices that meet the needs of English Language Learners. This concentration meets the State of Illinois requirements of approval-endorsement to work in a Bilingual Education, English as a Second Language, or Dual Instructional Program.

Detailed information is available at the Curriculum & Instruction ESL/Bilingual Education page.

School Nurse Certification

This concentration, approved by the Illinois State Board of Education to prepare registered nurses for the School Service Personnel Certificate Type 73 with school nurse endorsement, presents an exciting opportunity for registered nurses to practice in a dynamic specialty. School nurses utilize professional skills to promote health, prevent disease, and solve the health problems of the young people of our nation.

Detailed information is available at the Curriculum & Instruction School Nurse Certification page.