Learning Sciences Education, M.Ed.
Learning Sciences Education, M.Ed. program focuses on the science of learning, digital literacy, cognition, social emotional learning and learning designs in diverse
sociocultural contexts. The LSE program works to advance a humanistic scientific understanding of learning and the improvement of educational outcomes for all learners, that engage in the design and implementation of learning innovations. Educators engaged in LSE courses and majors will gain research-based knowledge and competencies related to designing and implementing effective learning environments in a variety of classroom and digital models that are differentiated for diverse learners.
In addition to course offerings, LSE course based and program projects provide invaluable opportunities for LSE program candidate participation in innovative investigations of learning and teaching in schools, workplaces, remote or e-learning environments, and other settings depending on their particular professional interests and applied educational contexts.
Candidates in this program are eligible to apply for the Illinois Endorsements.
For more information on state licensure and certification information please visit NLU’s Public Disclosures page.
Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs):
Program Learning Outcomes are aligned to the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) Standards:
1. Candidates use and teach technology to create equitable and ongoing access to high quality learning.
2. Candidates actively participate in professional learning networks to enhance practice and keep current with emerging technology and innovations in the Learning Sciences.
3. Candidates establish productive relationships and collaborate with both colleagues and learners to improve practice, discover, and share resources and ideas, and solve problems.
4. Candidates design authentic, learner-driven activities and environments that recognize and accommodate learner variability.
5. Candidates plan, provide, and evaluate the impact of professional learning.
6. Candidates understand and use data to drive their instruction and support learners in achieving their learning goals.
7. Candidates model digital citizenship and support learners in recognizing responsibilities and opportunities inherent in living in a digital world.
8. Candidates will understand and apply the ISTE Standards for coaches to enhance efficacy in design and learner outcomes.
In addition to the National College of Education Graduate Admission Requirements, the program requires:
- A copy of the applicant's valid and current Illinois Professional Educator License endorsed in the teaching field (teaching endorsements can’t be added to administrative and school support PEL’s)
- Signed Licensure Limitation Form (for applicants who do not currently hold valid Illinois PEL)
Program Details:
Concentrations:
Required Courses
Core Courses - 18 SH
| LSE 500 | Introduction to the Learning Sciences and Technology | 3 |
| LSE 530 | Designing Learning Experiences: Cognition in Socio-Cultural Contexts | 3 |
| LSE 540 | Social Emotional Learning in Cultural Contexts | 3 |
| LSE 542 | Digital Tools for Teaching, Learning and Assessment | 3 |
| LSE 588 | Constructing Curriculum for Engaging the Whole Learner | 3 |
| LSE 598 | Integrating Professional Knowledge & Practices for Advanced Credentials: A Capstone Experience | 3 |
Note: Additional graduate level electives may be required to reach a minimum of 32 SH for degree completion. These courses are subject to academic advisor approval.
Early Childhood Education
Concentration Requirements
Required Courses - 18SH
Child Growth & Development
| ECE 504 | Human Development: Infancy and Childhood | 3 |
Planning and Assessment -candidates take one of the following
| ECE 503 | Teaching and Learning in Early Childhood | 3 |
| ECE 507 | STEM in Early Childhood | 3 |
| EDU 504 | Assessment and Curriculum Differentiation in Early Childhood Setting | 2 |
Early Childhood Methods & Content Pedagogy- candidates take one of the following
| ECE 503 | Teaching and Learning in Early Childhood | 3 |
| ECE 507 | STEM in Early Childhood | 3 |
| ECE 526 | Methods of Developing Mathematical Mindsets in Early Childhood | 3 |
Literacy Methods- candidates take one of the following
| ECE 522 | Foundations of Emergent Literacy | 3 |
| RLP 537 | Early Literacy Methods, PreK-3 | 3 |
Collaborative Relationships with Family or Communities
| ECE 510 | Child, Family and Community | 3 |
Electives
Candidates must complete one of the following courses not chosen in the requirements above to satisfy 18sh.
| ECE 503 | Teaching and Learning in Early Childhood | 3 |
| ECE 507 | STEM in Early Childhood | 3 |
| EDU 504 | Assessment and Curriculum Differentiation in Early Childhood Setting | 2 |
| ECE 526 | Methods of Developing Mathematical Mindsets in Early Childhood | 3 |
| ECE 522 | Foundations of Emergent Literacy | 3 |
| RLP 537 | Early Literacy Methods, PreK-3 | 3 |
This coursework, along with the fulfillment of other requirements, can be applied to the State of Illinois subsequent endorsement in Early Childhood Education. Visit the
Illinois State Board of Education for more details.
Early Childhood Special Education
Concentration Requirements
Required Courses - 12 SH
| SPE 510 | Early Childhood Special Education Language Development, Differences, and Challenges | 3 |
| SPE 532 | Early Childhood Special Education Curriculum, Instruction and Methods | 3 |
| SPE 533 | Early Childhood Special Education Diagnostic Assessment | 3 |
| SPE 534 | Early Childhood Special Education Collaboration, Family and Community | 3 |
Note: This coursework, along with the fulfillment of other requirements, can be applied to the State of Illinois endorsement in Early Childhood Special Education. Visit the Illinois State Board of Education for more details.
Elementary Education
Concentration Requirements
Required Courses - 18 SH
| CIS 540 | Methods for Elementary Social Studies: Planning and Assessment | 3 |
| LSE 511 | Human Learning and Development in Instructional Contexts | 2 |
| MHE 540 | Methods for Elementary Mathematics: Planning and Assessment | 3 |
| RLP 550 | Teaching Reading Comprehension and Content Area Literacy, Grades 1-6 | 3 |
| RLP 551 | Literacy Methods, Grades 1-6 | 3 |
| SCE 540 | Methods of Elementary Science: Planning and Assessment | 3 |
Note: CIS 540 and SCE 540 must be taken for 3 SH. Students are also required to complete 1 SH of additional elective course approved by the Program Chair.
This coursework, along with the fulfillment of other requirements, can be applied to the State of Illinois subsequent endorsement in Elementary Education. Visit the Illinois State Board of Education for more details.
Elementary Mathematics Specialist Endorsement
This endorsement is designed for candidates who have a Professional Educator License in Elementary Education who wish to earn the Mathematics Specialist Endorsement. Candidates must hold a master’s degree to qualify for the endorsement.
For more information on state licensure and certification information please visit NLU’s Public Disclosures page.
In addition to National College of Education Graduate Admissions Requirements, applicants must:
- Have a GPA no lower than 3.0, on a 4 point scale. Candidates may be provisionally admitted to the program with a GPA between 2.5 and 2.99
- Hold a valid Illinois Professional Educator License with an endorsement in Elementary Education or hold a valid Illinois PEL in Special Education, Middle Grades Education or Early Childhood Education and provide evidence of successfully completing MHE 540 or the equivalent coursework
- Students applying to the non- degree endorsement program must hold a master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
Program Details:
- Requires 18 SH for completion
- Candidates must complete a 50-hour practicum. Candidates must score proficient or higher in all areas of their clinical/performance evaluations.
- Prior to entitlement, candidates must show evidence of holding a master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
- Candidates must earn a C or better in all coursework to be eligible for the ISBE endorsement
Entitlement/Licensure Requirement:
- Candidates must present evidence of two years of full-time teaching experience either on the Illinois Professional Educator License in Elementary Education Grades 1-6 or on a comparable out-of-state license to be eligible for entitlement. The endorsement can only be applied to an Illinois Teaching PEL (This endorsement is limited those with an Elementary, Special Education, Middle Grades, or Early Childhood Education PEL).
Required Courses
Elementary Mathematics Specialist
| MHE 501 | Number Concepts & Operations for Teachers | 3 |
| MHE 503 | Mathematics Education Issues & Trends | 3 |
| MHE 504 | Foundations of Mathematical Leadership | 3 |
| MHE 523 | Differentiating Mathematics Instruction | 3 |
| MHE 541 | Advanced Methods for Teaching Mathematics | 3 |
| MHE 542 | Mathematics for Elementary and Middle School Teachers | 3 |
Note: Candidates in the Learning Sciences, M.Ed. or Ed.S. program seeking a mathematics concentration must choose either the Mathematics Education Concentration or the Elementary Mathematics Specialist Concentration. Learning Sciences students interested in completing additional mathematics-related coursework for additional endorsement may select a Personalized Option Concentration.
English as a Second Language
Concentration Requirements
Required Courses - 15 SH
| CIL 500 | Foundations of ESL and Bilingual Education | 3 |
| CIL 501 | Introduction to Linguistics for TESOL | 3 |
| or | |
| CIL 512 | Literacy in a New Language: Linguistic Considerations | 3 |
| and | |
| CIL 505 | Methods and Materials for Teaching English as a Second Language | 3 |
| CIL 510 | Assessment of ESL and Bilingual Education Students | 3 |
| CIL 531 | Cross Cultural Education | 3 |
Required Electives - 3 SH
Choose 3 SH from the courses below:
| CIL 501 | Introduction to Linguistics for TESOL | 3 |
| CIL 506 | Methods and Materials for Teaching Bilingual Education | 3 |
| CIL 511 | Family Literacy for Linguistically and Culturally Diverse Learners | 3 |
| CIL 512 | Literacy in a New Language: Linguistic Considerations | 3 |
| CIL 532 | Technology Instruction for Linguistically and Culturally Diverse Students | 3 |
| CIL 540 | Early Literacy Development and English Learners | 1 |
| CIL 541 | Visual Literacy and English Learners | 1 |
| CIL 542 | Spanish Literacy Development and Biliteracy | 1 |
| CIL 543 | Using Music and Song to Teach and Learn New Languages | 1 |
Note: This coursework, along with the fulfillment of other requirements, can be applied to the State of Illinois endorsement in English as a Second Language. Visit the Illinois State Board of Education for more details.
ESL/ Bilingual Education
Concentration Requirements
Required Courses - 18 SH
| CIL 500 | Foundations of ESL and Bilingual Education | 3 |
| CIL 505 | Methods and Materials for Teaching English as a Second Language | 3 |
| CIL 506 | Methods and Materials for Teaching Bilingual Education | 3 |
| CIL 510 | Assessment of ESL and Bilingual Education Students | 3 |
| CIL 531 | Cross Cultural Education | 3 |
| and | |
| CIL 501 | Introduction to Linguistics for TESOL | 3 |
| or | |
| CIL 512 | Literacy in a New Language: Linguistic Considerations | 3 |
Note: This coursework, along with the fulfillment of other requirements, can be applied to the State of Illinois endorsement in English as a Second Language and Bilingual Education. Visit the
Illinois State Board of Education for more details.
Learning Behavior Specialist I
Concentration Requirements
Required Courses - 15 SH
| SPE 501 | Educational and Diagnostic Assessment in Special Education | 3 |
| SPE 506 | Frameworks, Perspectives, and Collaboration in Special Education | 3 |
| SPE 527 | Curriculum Adaptations in the Least Restrictive Environment | 3 |
| and | |
| SPE 509 | Methods of Instruction in Foundational Literacy for Diverse Learners | 3 |
| or | |
| SPE 508 | Methods of Instruction: Literacy Across the Curriculum for Special Education | 3 |
| and | |
| SPE 507 | Methods of Social/Emotional Support | 3 |
Note: Requires completion of SPE 500 or its equivalent. SPE 500 may be waived by an Academic Advisor with faculty approval if the candidate holds an IL PEL and provides transcripted evidence of successful completion ("C" or better) of an equivalent course. SPE 509 is recommended for candidates with a Middle or High School PEL. SPE 508 is recommended for candidates with an Elementary or Early Childhood PEL. It is recommended that candidates complete the literacy course in the grade range not covered by the initial PEL.
This coursework, along with the fulfillment of other requirements, can be applied to the State of Illinois endorsement in Learning Behavior Specialist (LBS1). Visit the Illinois State Board of Education for more details.
Learning Behavior Specialist II - Curriculum Adaptation Specialist
LBS II Curriculum Adaptation Specialist endorsement is available to candidates holding an active Illinois PEL with the LBS I endorsement.
Concentration Requirements
Required Courses - 12 SH
| SPE 527 | Curriculum Adaptations in the Least Restrictive Environment | 3 |
| SPE 547 | Assistive Technology for the Universal Design Classroom | 3 |
| SPE 556 | Planning and Designing Responsive Learning Environments | 3 |
| SPE 588B | LBS II Contextual Applications | 1 TO 3 |
Note: SPE 588B must be taken for 3 SH.
This coursework, along with the fulfillment of other requirements, can be applied to the State of Illinois endorsement in LBS II - Curriculum Adaptation Specialist. Visit the Illinois State Board of Education for more details.
Learning Behavior Specialist II - Transition Specialist
LBS II Transition Specialist endorsement is available to candidates holding an active Illinois PEL with the LBS I endorsement.
Concentration Requirements
Required Courses - 12 SH
| SPE 535 | Community-Vocational Development & Instruction | 3 |
| SPE 536 | Transition Foundations, Preparation & Planning | 3 |
| SPE 537 | Family-Community Partnerships & Assessment | 3 |
| SPE 588A | LBS II Contextual Applications | 3 |
This coursework, along with the fulfillment of other requirements, can be applied to the State of Illinois endorsement in LBS II - Transition Specialist. Visit the Illinois State Board of Education for more details.
Mathematics Education
Concentration Requirements
Required Courses - 18 SH
| MHE 501 | Number Concepts & Operations for Teachers | 3 |
| and any five of the following courses | |
| MHE 502 | Modern Algebra for Teachers | 3 |
| MHE 510 | Geometry for Teachers | 3 |
| MHE 511 | Number Theory for Teachers | 3 |
| MHE 512 | Topics and Applications of Statistics and Probability | 3 |
| MHE 515 | History of Mathematics | 3 |
| MHE 523 | Differentiating Mathematics Instruction | 3 |
| MHE 541 | Advanced Methods for Teaching Mathematics | 3 |
| or | |
| MGE 514 | Methods of Teaching Middle Grades Mathematics | 3 |
This coursework, along with the fulfillment of other requirements, can be applied to the State of Illinois endorsement in Middle Grades Mathematics Education. Candidates who wish to earn a Middle School Mathematics endorsement must complete MHE 541 or MGE 514. Visit the Illinois State Board of Education for more details.
This endorsement applies to candidates who have Illinois' prior Middle Level Education approvals and can add the new Mathematics for Middle Grades Education. Candidates without MLE approvals must complete Middle Grades Education Subsequent Teaching Endorsement program.
Reading Teacher
Program Details:
- Requires 19 SH for completion
- Requires a practicum
- Students cannot receive more than one grade of "C" or below in any Reading courses (RLR, RLL, RLW prefix). Students who earn a second grade of "C" or below must receive approval from Reading program faculty to have the opportunity to retake a course. If Reading program faculty deny the request, students will have the option to petition the Academic Policies Committee for the chance to retake the course or continue in the program with more than one "C" grade.
Concentration Requirements
Required Courses - 19 SH
| RLR 501 | Teaching Beginning Literacy | 3 |
| RLR 502 | Teaching Comprehension and Content Area Reading | 3 |
| RLR 510 | Diagnosis and Assessment of Literacy | 3 |
| RLR 511 | Instructional Strategies for Literacy Intervention | 3 |
| RLR 520 | Survey of P-12 Youth Literature | 3 |
| RLR 592A | Practicum: Literacy Interventions for Elementary Students | 2 |
| RLR 592B | Practicum: Literacy Interventions for Secondary Students | 2 |
This coursework, along with the fulfillment of other requirements, can be applied to the State of Illinois endorsement in Reading Teacher. Visit the Illinois State Board of Education for more details.
Teacher Leader
Concentration Requirements
Required Courses - 18 SH
| LDR 511 | Emerging as a Teacher Leader | 2 |
| LDR 513 | Collaborating with Stakeholders to Promote Change | 2 |
| LDR 521 | Guiding Data Teams in Schools | 2 |
| LDR 523 | Mentoring and Coaching Fellow Teachers | 3 |
| LDR 525 | Teacher Outreach: Families and Community | 2 |
| LDR 527 | Promoting Cultural Fluency | 2 |
| LDR 531 | Leading Teacher Development and Student Learning | 3 |
| LDR 535 | Advocating for the Teaching Profession | 2 |
This coursework, along with the fulfillment of other requirements, can be applied to the State of Illinois endorsement in Teacher Leader. Visit the
Illinois State Board of Education for more details.
Technology Specialist
Concentration Requirements
Required Courses 18SH
| LSE 500 | Introduction to the Learning Sciences and Technology | 3 |
| LSE 525 | Designing Digital Age Learning Environments | 3 |
| LSE 532 | Visionary Leadership for Digital Learning Contexts | 3 |
| LSE 535 | Instructional Design Foundations for Digital Age Learning Environments | 1 TO 3 |
| LSE 542 | Digital Tools for Teaching, Learning and Assessment | 3 |
| LSE 575 | Leading Learning Technologies and Instructional Design with Shared Vision | 3 |
Note: LSE 535 must be taken for 3 SH.
This coursework, along with the fulfillment of other requirements, can be applied to the State of Illinois endorsement in Technology Specialist. Visit the Illinois State Board of Education for more details.
Personalized Option
This concentration provides candidates with the opportunity to create a customized degree program according to personal and professional goals. Students may choose electives from courses in any area of graduate education, as approved by an academic advisor.
Required Courses
Personalized Option Concentration - 12 SH
Choose 12 SH of NCE graduate courses with faculty and advisor approval.
Note: Workshop courses may be accepted in a maximum of 6 SH.