Offered in: Chicago

The purpose of the Middle School Education program is to prepare capable, dedicated, and concerned teachers who are committed to the intellectual, emotional, social, and physical growth of adolescents enrolled in middle school classrooms. Students are encouraged to develop communication skills, content knowledge, observational skills, and sound teaching practices to apply to their work with diverse learners. Over the duration of the program, students develop a sense of themselves as professional educators who can act as change agents in their schools. Students who successfully complete the program earn a State of Illinois Professional Educator License to teach in grades 5-8.

Students can add one or more of the following endorsements to their teaching license with careful planning: Bilingual/ESL, Special Education (LBS1). Please consult with a Department of Education advisor for more information.

Admission

Admission to the program requires a BA degree in any academic area with a grade point average of 2.7 on a 4.0 scale, at least 120 credit hours of undergraduate courses from an accredited college or university.

At the time of admission, an advisor reviews transcripts and evaluates all course work completed at other colleges or universities. Advising plans are developed and any deficiencies related to licensure requirements are noted. If additional coursework is needed, the student's advisor will indicate the coursework needed on an advising plan. Students must confer with their assigned advisors before enrolling in the program and during each advising period to ensure that all requirements are successfully completed.

requirements

To be awarded the MA in middle school education, students must successfully complete a 33 semester hour program of study. Students must pass all courses with grades of C- or higher and maintain an overall GPA of at least 3.0 while enrolled in the program. Should a student fall below a 3.0 GPA, the program's faculty will review the student's eligibility to continue moving forward in the licensure program.

Students, one semester prior to their student teaching, must submit proof of passing the appropriate Middle School Education content exam that meets the state's criterion.

Student Teaching must be passed with a minimum C or higher.

CONTENT  REQUIREMENTS

Students who would like to earn a license to teach Middle School Education must choose one of the following content areas; English, General Science, Mathematics, and Social Science. Each content area has a specific set of courses students must enroll in to meet the state standards to earn licensure. Please consult with the Department of Education advisor for further information.

 All content courses must be passed with grades of C- or higher and have a minimum GPA of 3.0 or higher.

FIELD EXPERIENCE & Student teaching

Field experiences in Middle School Education involve urban and suburban placements and must include culturally diverse learners. Experiences take place in middle school settings and evolve teacher candidates in individual, small group, and whole-class instruction, observation, and participation in community-based activities. A minimum of 100 hours of field experiences is required prior to student teaching.

Placement in student teaching sites is planned with consideration of professional standards and partnership schools and agencies. Placements are open only to students who have successfully completed the appropriate content courses, professional education courses, Middle School content test, and other Department of Education student teaching requirements. Placements in sites with diverse student populations are required. Students must submit a formal application two semesters prior to the semester in which they plan to do their student teaching. Applicants are expected to be in good academic standing and must provide evidence of competency with regard to professional dispositions, including the passage of a criminal background check. Students should consult regularly with their advisor about the specific requirements for licensure and student teaching in Illinois.

In addition to the requirements outlined in this academic catalog, students in the Middle School Education program are obligated to become familiar with and comply with, all requirements outlined in the Initial Licensure Field Experience & Student Teaching Handbook in order to receive a passing grade for field experience and student teaching courses proceeding to licensure. Students enrolled in field experience and student teaching courses will receive the handbook from the Director of Field Placement.

Licensure requirements

In order to qualify for Roosevelt University’s recommendation for the Illinois teaching license in Middle School Education, students must meet all academic major and content requirements that are in effect at the time of their application. Students must have also completed 21 semester hours of specific course content.

Students must consult with their education advisor to determine which content area courses are acceptable toward fulfillment of licensure requirements. Because requirements for licensure, graduation, and continuing enrollment are subject to change, graduates must consult frequently with their education advisors. The advising plan developed at program admission provides the most up-to-date and authoritative information with respect to all program and licensure requirements.

Before issuing a license, the Illinois State Board of Education also requires satisfactory scores on the appropriate content exam and the edTPA.