UIS ProgramPhotos of Students and Faculty

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English as a Second Language (ESL)

The purpose of the English as a Second Language graduate certificate program is to provide current K-12 teachers with a State of Illinois Endorsement in English as a Second Language (ESL) upon successful completion of the program. The ESL program prepares educational leaders to meet the needs of diverse non-English speaking students within K-12 classrooms. The ESL graduate certificate program is approved by Illinois State Board of Education for ESL endorsement for current IL certified educators.

A total of five courses and a clinical experience is required for program completion. Clinical experience is not required of students who meet the clinical experience requirement of the Illinois State Board of Education for English as a Second Language Letter of Approval/Endorsement based upon the diversity of the population within their work environment/experience. Course include:

  • EDL 550: Theoretical Foundations of Teaching English as a Second Language Students, 4 credit hours
  • EDL 584: Assessment of the English as a Second Language Student, 4 credit hours
  • EDL 592: Linguistics, 4 credit hours
  • EDL 593: Cross-Cultural Studies for Teaching English as a Second Language Students, 2 credit hours
  • EDL 594: Methods and Materials for Teaching English as Second Language Students, 4 credit hours
  • EDL 595: Clinical Experience for ESL Letter of Approval/Endorsement, 2 credit hours (100 clinical hours or meet requirements of Illinois State Board of Education ESL Letter of Approval)

These courses are delivered in an online format consistent with UIS graduate level standards. The courses will be characterized by lectures, text reading, discussions, and projects, with an emphasis on research and writing.

Legal Aspects Graduate Certificate Program

The purpose of the Legal Aspects certificate program is to prepare collaborative, proactive educational leaders committed to improving the quality of educational legal knowledge in a variety of organizational contexts. The Legal Aspects certificate program is designed to acquaint UIS students with fundamental legal issues that impact Illinois elementary and secondary school districts. Adequate preparation as a professional educator requires exposure to a variety of the legal components affecting elementary and secondary education.

A total of ten courses are offered within the legal aspects certificate program. Successful completion the graduate certificate requires 18 credit hours. Course options include:

  • EDL 574: Critical Legal Issues In Education, 2 credit hours
  • EDL 575: Legal Aspects Of Special Education, 2 credit hours
  • EDL 576: Educational Workplace: Legal Risks, 2 credit hours
  • EDL 577: Schools In The Legal System, 2 credit hours
  • EDL 578: Educational Workplace: Employee Issues, 2 credit hours
  • EDL 579: Collective Bargaining Issues, 2 credit hours
  • EDL 580: Teacher, Parent, and Student Rights, 2 credit hours
  • EDL 581: Educational Workplace: Legal Issues, 2 credit hours
  • EDL 582: Political Action and Advocacy, 2 credit hours
  • EDL 583: Teaching Law in K-12 Schools, 2 credit hours

These courses are delivered in an online format consistent with UIS graduate level standards. The courses will be characterized by lectures, text reading, discussions, and projects, with an emphasis on research and writing. Courses will focus on select topics school teachers would most likely encounter that are associated with governance in the educational workplace:

  • Federal and State Roles
  • Responsibilities of the Regional Office of Education
  • Local Education Agencies and Boards of Education
  • school finance
  • school restructuring
  • charter school
  • vouchers
  • proprietary schools
  • home schooling
  • site based management
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Teacher Qualifications , Certification, and Employment Issues

  • recruitment
  • interviews
  • hiring
  • contracts
  • orientation
  • mentoring
  • supervision
  • evaluation
  • discipline
  • tenure
  • records
  • dismissal
  • Current issues in education:
  • high stakes testing
  • NCLB
  • Certification
  • educational funding
  • school choice
  • vouchers
  • alternative education
  • school consolidation
  • Educational Technology
  • Special Education
  • Collective Bargaining

Teaching Law to K-12 Students and Analyzing Courts and Legal Case Studies

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Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) Professional Development Coursework

The IDNR coursework may be completed for graduate credit or professional development hours. Candidates must be admitted to the University of Illinois at Springfield prior to enrolling in the coursework for graduate credit. Candidates will receive 60 Continuing Professional Development Units [CPDU] per 4-credit hour semester course. Available IDNR Professional Development courses include:

  • EDL 560: Introduction to Illinois' Natural Resources for Teachers, 4 credit hours
  • EDL 587: Introduction to Illinois Woodlands for Teachers, 4 credit hours
  • EDL 588: Introduction to Illinois Prairies for Teachers, 4 credit hours
  • EDL 589: Introduction to Illinois Geological Processes for Teachers, 4 credit hours
  • EDL 591: Introduction to Illinois Aquatic Ecology for Teachers, 4 credit hours

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National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS), Master Teacher Certification Assistance Coursework

The Master Teacher Leadership (MTL) program offers coursework related to the National Board certification process. Candidates can complete an issues/trends course related to the NBPTS and/or assistance throughout the certification process. All National Board Certification coursework is lead by a National Board Certified Professional. Available NBPTS coursework includes:

  • EDL 570: NBPTs: Issues and Trends, 4 credit hours
  • EDL 571: NBPTS Certification Assistance I, 2 credit hours
  • EDL 572: NBPTS Certification Assistance II, 2 credit hours
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