Education

Programs of Study

Because McKendree University must meet the requirements issued by the Illinois State Board of Education and the State Licensure Board, their requirements take precedence over the catalog of record for individuals seeking teacher licensure recommendation.

Elementary Education

The Elementary Education program is designed for those seeking to teach in the Elementary School setting. This four semester program is fully aligned with the licensing guidelines from the State of Illinois, providing students with the necessary coursework and field experiences to qualify for a Illinois Professional Educators License in Elementary Education (1st grade through 6th grade). Coursework for this program includes theory and methodologies in instructional planning for all content areas, children’s literature, classroom management, educational psychology, diverse learners, assessment and technology. Program faculty members are up-to-date on the needs of the classroom as well as the latest trends and requirements of the field, and are deeply committed to preparing future educators to excel as teachers. Diverse clinical experiences, along with mentoring from cooperating teachers and field supervisors, help teacher candidates transfer university classroom instruction into practical teaching skills.

Special Education/Elementary Education

The Special Education/Elementary Education program is a dual licensure program. This innovative program is fully aligned with the licensing guidelines from the Illinois State Board of Education, providing students with the necessary coursework and field experiences to qualify for an Illinois Professional Educators License in Special Education (PreK -21 years), as well as in Elementary Education (grades 1-6). As with the Elementary Education program, coursework for this program includes theory and methodologies in instructional planning for all content areas, children’s literature, classroom management, educational psychology, diverse learners, assessment and technology. Additional Special Education coursework includes assessment, collaboration and consultation, assistive technology, behavior management, language development and instructional methods for diverse learners. Faculty members are up-to-date on the needs of the classroom as well as the latest trends and requirements of the field, and are deeply committed to preparing future educators to excel as teachers. Clinical experiences include placements in Elementary, Middle and High School, in a variety of instructional settings. These diverse clinical experiences, along with mentoring from cooperating teachers and field supervisors, assist teacher candidates in transforming university classroom instruction into practical teaching skills.

Middle School Education

The Middle School Education program is designed for those seeking to teach in the Middle School setting. This program is fully aligned with the new licensing guidelines from the Illinois State Board of Education, providing students with the necessary coursework and field experiences to qualify for an Illinois Professional Educators License in Middle Level Education (grades 5-8). Available licensing content areas include Mathematics, Social Science, Science and English Language Arts. Education coursework for this program includes theory and methodologies in instructional planning, middle school instructional practices in the specific content area being licensed, educational psychology, middle school philosophy, diverse learners, multicultural education, assessment and technology. Coursework in the chosen content area is threaded throughout the program. Program faculty members are up-to-date on the needs of the classroom as well as the latest trends and requirements of the field, and are deeply committed to preparing future educators to excel as teachers. The diverse field experiences, along with mentoring from cooperating teachers and field supervisors, assist teacher candidates in transforming university classroom instruction into practical teaching skills.