Curriculum and Instruction with Advanced Professional Specializations, Ed.S.

The National Louis University Curriculum and Instruction with Advanced Professional Specializations program is designed for experienced, career-oriented educators seeking to amplify the power and versatility of their credentials by adding concentrations in areas of content expertise. This program enables teachers to expand their job qualifications directly and efficiently through online courses leading to endorsements in high-demand specializations.

Program Learning Outcomes (ULOs):

PLO1. Students will answer the big question, “In what ways do I and my students have an improved understanding of a specific content area based on my new understandings of curriculum and instruction?” by being able to:

1. Critically evaluate the various types of curricula already in place in the classroom and identify the advantages and disadvantages of the various types of curricula in play in their contexts
2. Evaluate who made the decisions as to what is to be taught and what their various motivations might be
3. Develop appropriate formative and summative methods to evaluate and show evidence of learning in formal, informal and digitally-mediated diverse contexts
4. Apply research evidence to the design of learning environments and instructional practices in order to foster cognitive, motivational and social emotional learning and development

PLO2. Students will answer the big question, “How can deeper understanding of content as it relates to curriculum and instruction in my classroom context be used to create and evaluate formal and informal learning environments?” by being able to:

1. Identify aspects of their practice that might be improved to meet the needs of their students using the conceptual thinking model, thereby applying informed understandings of diverse learner needs, styles, contexts, and intelligences to plan flexible, responsive, differentiated instruction
2. Form partnerships with colleagues to evaluate successful instructional and assessment practices
3. Demonstrate critical understanding of the role of evidence-based instructional and assessment strategies and materials applicable to promote cognitive and social-emotional learning

In addition to the National College of Education Graduate Admission Requirements, applicants must:

• Hold master's degree from a regionally accredited institution 
• Hold valid and current Illinois Professional Educator License if they wish to apply for an Illinois endorsement 

Program Details:

• Requires 30- 46 SH for completion
• Requires the completion of two concentration from the list below 
• May require additional electives to meet a minimum of 30 SH for the degree completion 

Concentrations:

• Curriculum and Instruction 
• Early Childhood Special Education
• English as a Second Language
• ESL/Bilingual Education
• Learning Behavior Specialist (LBS1)
• Mathematics Education
• Reading Teacher
• Teacher Leader 
• Personalized Option

Required Courses

Core Courses - 6 SH

CIC 501	Baseline Seminar in Curriculum and Instruction	1
CIC 555	Mid-Program Seminar in Curriculum & Instruction	1
CIC 597	Capstone Seminar in Curriculum & Instruction	1
EDL 546	Perspectives and Administration of Educational Policy	3
	or
CCD 625	Critical Policy Analysis	3

Note: Additional graduate level electives may be required to reach a minimum of 30 SH for degree completion. These courses are subject to academic advisor approval.

For more information about this program, visit https://www.nl.edu/academics/educationmastersadvanceded/curriculumandinstructionwithadvancedprofessionalspecializations/.