M.S. in Instruction: Language Arts

The M.S. in Instruction: Language Arts Program is designed to offer professional development to classroom teachers who are interested in updating and refining their teaching competencies in the areas of Language Arts and English instruction at the elementary or secondary level. Graduates of this program will have updated and advanced knowledge of the theoretical foundations of literacy and language acquisition, principles of curriculum planning and development, language arts research, as well as instructional strategies for enhancing children’s acquisition of reading, writing, listening, and speaking competencies in culturally diverse classrooms. Throughout the program there is an emphasis on enhancing teachers’ leadership skills in developing and implementing language arts and English curricula. 

Within this program students complete coursework in two areas:

  • a professional core composed of coursework in literacy foundations (theory and pedagogy), curriculum development, cultural diversity, assessment, media technology, and research-18 cr hrs.
  • a concentration in language arts with interdisciplinary coursework in education, reading, English, linguistics, and/or speech - 18 cr hrs.

Admission Requirements

  • A minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.75 (4.0 scale)
  • A current, valid, state teaching certificate
  • Eighteen (18) credit hours undergraduate coursework in English literature/composition, linguistics, and/or speech
  • Fifteen (15) credit hours of undergraduate coursework in education with one, 3 credit hour course in the methods of teaching reading or English
  • Completed application with two letters of recommendation and official transcripts

Secondary Sequence: 36 credit hours

1. Professional Core.................................................... 18 cr.
EDFN 416 - Cultural Pluralism and the Schools..............3 cr.
SCED 401E - New Directions in the Teaching of English at the Junior-Senior High School without Clinical Experience...................................3 cr.
ELED 430 - Trends and Issues in Assessment................3 cr.
INMD 410 - Media Technology for Educators.................3 cr.
READ 402 - Issues in Reading Instruction.......................3 cr.
SCED 421L - Research in the Teaching of Language Arts......................................3 cr.

2. Language Arts Concentration.............................18 cr.
SCED 407B - Teaching Multiethnic Literature in Junior and Senior High Schools without Clinical Experience...................................3 cr.
READ 415 - Reading and Writing in the Content Area..................................3 cr.
LING 401 - Fundamentals of Modern Linguistics...........3 cr.
or
TESL 402 - Principles of Linguistics for Teachers...........3 cr.
Electives selected from areas of English Literature, Creative Writing, Linguistics or Speech ..........................9 cr.

See your advisor for recommended courses.

3. Oral Examination
A final oral exam scheduled in the final term of completion of all coursework.

4. Two research papers
One is required in SCED 421L.

Note: For descriptions of the coursework and prerequisites, please see pertinent sections of this catalog.

INSTRUCTIONAL MEDIA

INMD 410-Media Technology for Educators, 3 cr. The media technology course will encompass all types of curricular/ learning materials in varied formats-CD-Rom. Laser disc technology, telecommunications, formats, satellite learning, and on-line databases. Multimedia educational software will be integrated into computer instruction in multicultural/multiethnic learning presentations. Electronic data management, classroom applications, and integrated learning systems will be utilized in educational settings.

Prereq: Graduate standing.

Contact Information

 For more information, please contact Dr. Katy Smith at k-smith1@neiu.edu