Concordia University Chicago’s Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction with the ESL endorsement program develops thoughtful practitioners and leaders equipped with strong theoretical and pedagogical knowledge to work with students from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds. This program achieves a balance between the practical, everyday needs of teachers in the classroom and the knowledge and understanding necessary for candidates to develop as teacher leaders who are linguistically responsive and culturally competent professionals.
Graduates are equipped to both envision and enact educational change for language learners throughout the country and abroad. Coursework is oriented toward building competencies in praxis and pedagogy for teaching emergent bilingual learners as supported by research and theories. It aims to extend both theoretical and practical knowledge about teaching and learning English in order to meet the needs of teachers in diverse contexts and their students.
The program develops teachers with integrity to actively respect the learning of all students, understanding to recognize the importance and influence of culture in learning, skills to individualize instruction using linguistically responsive methods for students and their families, and awareness to engage in advocacy for their communities. The curriculum prepares educators to be effective in improving student learning and development in their content area as well as the acquisition of English as an additional language. It is designed to help teachers:
- develop a multicultural perspective that fosters inclusive pedagogies
- understand the cultural, linguistic, and sociopolitical milieu and their contextual basis on the education and language acquisition of emergent bilingual learners
- demonstrate knowledge about the communicative and academic processes for language acquisition
- apply linguistically and culturally responsive strategies and equitable assessments within their pedagogy
- adopt a professional identity that is characterized by self-reflection, knowledge, skills, and leadership to effectively advocate for multilingual learners
Students with an Illinois PEL near completion of the ESL coursework in this master's program should file an Intent to Graduate/Complete to become eligible to receive the ESL add-on endorsement to their state teaching license. Candidates from other states should contact their State Board of Education to determine the applicability of this endorsement to their state’s requirements.
Please note: Students who are bilingual may also pursue the Bilingual endorsement.
General Graduate Admission Requirements
All applicants must meet the general admission requirements for Concordia University Chicago graduate programs as published in the Concordia University Chicago academic catalog.
New students are accepted into graduate degree-seeking, certificate, endorsement and/or post-graduate programs for online and on-campus study in the fall, spring, or summer semesters. Previously admitted students seeking to change programs may do so at the beginning of a semester (only) by submitting a Change-of-Program quick app. Applicants must be in good academic standing according to Concordia University Chicago’s satisfactory academic progress standards at the time of requesting a program change.
Degree Requirements
Completion of 100 Clock Hours or 3 months of teaching experience in ESL or Bilingual programs with English learners per ISBE requirements (requires documentation from a site/supervisory administrator verifying successful completion).
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core | ||
| EDU-6500 | Curriculum Construction | 3 |
| SPED-6050 | Teaching Culturally & Linguistically Diverse (CLD) Students w/ Disabilities: Characteristics Methods | 3 |
| ESL Concentration | ||
| ESL-6027 | Assessment of Language Minority Students 1 | 3 |
| ESL-6300 | Foundations of Bilingual/Bicultural Education 1 | 3 |
| ESL-6350 | Cross-Cultural Studies: Teaching Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students 1 | 3 |
| ESL-6610 | Language and Linguistics 1 | 3 |
| ESL-6620 | Teaching English as a Second Language 1 | 3 |
| ESL-6630 | Methods and Materials for Teaching Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students 1 | 3 |
| Bilingual Concentration 2 | ||
| EDU-6635 | Methods and Materials for Teaching in a Bilingual Classroom 2 | 3 |
| Capstone | ||
| ESL-6640 | Teacher as Researcher 3 | 3 |
| ESL-6556 | Seminar in Reflective Practice 3 | 3 |
| Total Hours | 30-33 | |
- 1
Course required for the ESL endorsement in Illinois.
- 2
Students seeking successful completion of this course must be bilingual/proficient in a language other than English. Bilingual proficiency is defined as being able to demonstrate adequate speaking, reading, writing, and grammar skills (in real-world situations in a spontaneous and non-rehearsed context) in a non-English language in which transitional bilingual education is offered in Illinois. 100 hours of fieldwork with school-age Bilingual and English learners are embedded within and acquired as part of the coursework.
- 3
These courses are offered in a sequence and cannot be taken concurrently during the same part of term. Students will complete all other courses before the capstone sequence. Please contact your GPS, and view Degree Works and your cohort template for more information.
Capstone Experience
The capstone experience for the MA-CIE is embedded in the final two courses of the program, ESL-6640 Teacher as Researcher and ESL-6556 Seminar in Reflective Practice. Candidates develop a plan of inquiry focused on the teaching and learning of linguistically and culturally diverse students. Capstones will include implementation, reflective action, and implications for pedagogical practices. Successful completion of both courses fulfills the capstone requirement.
Graduation Requirements
- Have on file an application as a degree-seeking graduate student.
- Have on file one official transcript from EACH college/university attended of all previous coursework taken.
- Complete, for the degree being sought:
- the credit hours and levels as designated,
- within the specified time limit,
- with grades of C- or higher,
- with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
- Students completing multiple advanced programs or degrees at CUC must have a 3.0 GPA in each academic program in addition to a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
- If transfer credit is approved to be applied: have on file an approved “Graduate Transfer Credit Approval” form(s) or evaluation(s).
- Have on file the Intent to Graduate/Complete form with the Office of the Registrar by the published deadline.
- Have on file, if applicable, necessary copies of a project, thesis or dissertation.
- Take and pass the final examination or terminal requirements in the program during or after the final course.
- Approval of the faculty.
- All administrative obligations to CUC must be cleared in order to prompt the release of CUC transcripts and diploma(s).
Every attempt has been made to include information to aid the student with information about his/her program, degree and graduation/completion requirements. It is, however, the student’s responsibility to complete all steps and meet all deadlines relevant to graduation requirements.
This program does not lead to initial Illinois licensure (PEL) but will, through direct university entitlement, lead to an additional credential on your existing PEL. The awarding of this credential will require the completion of this academic program and an existing and active PEL, and may require a passing score on the corresponding Illinois State Licensure Test(s), associated work experience, a previous master's degree, and completion of a state training academy. For specific requirements regarding this credential please refer to ISBE’s webpage or contact the Licensure Officer at licensure@cuchicago.edu.