college of education logo

College of Education

The College of Education at The University of St. Francis has been educating teachers since 1925 and remains committed to providing engaging and high-quality programs designed to meet the challenges that face today’s educators. 

college of education logo

College of Education

The College of Education at the University of St. Francis has been educating teachers since 1925 and remains committed to providing engaging and high-quality programs designed to meet the ever-changing role of today’s educators. 

Programs

Elementary Education (B.A.)

Middle Grades Education (B.A.)
– General Science
– Language Arts
– Mathematics
– Social Science

Secondary Education (B.A. or B.S.) 
4+1 Secondary Education program also available (B.A. or B.S. + M.Ed.)
– English Language Arts (B.A.)
– History: Social Sciences (B.A.)
– Mathematics (B.S.)
– Science: Biology (B.S.)

Special Education (B.A.)

 
Teacher candidates are able to add endorsements to their teaching license upon the completion of specified courses and required ISBE exams. The courses required for these endorsements can sometimes be taken as electives within their program. Three of the most popular endorsements are Bilingual Education, English as a Second Language (ESL), and Special Education.

Education with Teacher Licensure (M.Ed.)
The Master of Education with Licensure (M.Ed.) program is designed to provide students the opportunity to earn a master’s degree and an initial Illinois Professional Educator License with an endorsement in one of the following:
– Elementary Education
– Middle Grades Education
– Secondary Education
– Special Education
– Visual Arts Education

Teacher candidates are able to add endorsements to their teaching license upon the completion of specified courses and required ISBE exams. The courses required for these endorsements can sometimes be taken as electives within their program. Three of the most popular endorsements are Bilingual Education, English as a Second Language (ESL), and Special Education.
 

Educational Leadership (M.S.)
– Principal Preparation
– Teacher Leader

Reading (M.S.)

Teaching & Learning (M.S.)
– Adult TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages)
– Best Practices
– Bilingual Education
– Differentiated Instruction
– Educational Technology
– English as a Second Language
– Gifted & Talented Education
– Health Education
– Instructional Coaching
– Reading
– Special Education

Graduate Certificate – Adult TESOL
Graduate Certificate – Instructional Coaching

Doctor of Education – Educational Leadership
– Leadership, Learning, and Stewardship
– Superintendent Endorsement

The Regional Education Academy for Leadership (REAL) at the University of St. Francis was established in 2002 as a dedicated initiative committed to develop dynamic partnerships with the educational community. At the core of each partnership, professional development opportunities are provided for educators at large, designated as Special Students. The ultimate goal of REAL is to enrich the learning experiences and achievement of all students by supporting the professional growth of educators through endorsements, courses, conferences, and other learning opportunities.

Education Pathway Dual Credit Courses for High School Students The University of St. Francis is proud to offer three dual credit courses with a focus on the teaching profession. High school students will find considerable value in the opportunity to authentically explore teaching as a vocation while earning college credit. Courses in the education pathways series further support USF’s ongoing efforts to identify and prepare the next generation of exceptional teachers who will serve children enrolled in the schools in our communities.

  • EDUC 107 Exploring the Teaching Profession (3 credit hours)
  • EDUC 210 Teaching in a Diverse Society (3 credit hours)
  • EDUC 225 Technology for Teaching and Learning (2 credit hours)

Visit our dual credit overview page to view sample course syllabi and learn how to bring courses in this series to your high school! Dual Credit Endorsement Courses for Licensed Educators Please see the Dual Credit Endorsement Courses accordion/tab on the REAL Program: All Courses page for current course titles and semester schedules.

About COE

Exploring the Teaching Profession | Expanding the Educator Pipeline

Explore the teaching profession and get a jump start on preparing for your future! Practical experiences like our Future Educators Summer Academy and education pathway dual credit course series, will help you determine if your heart is calling you to serve students in your community.

USF is proud to offer a variety of classroom resources and practical learning experiences for promoting the teaching profession to students in your school. Learn more about our grow your own initiatives and join our efforts to prepare the next generation of educators who will serve children in our communities. 

Education Pathway Dual Credit Course Series
The University of St. Francis is proud to offer three dual credit courses with a focus on the teaching profession. Your high school students will find considerable value in the opportunity to authentically explore teaching as a vocation while earning college credit.

Interest Form – Education Pathway Dual Credit Courses

The University of St. Francis is one of 24 Illinois colleges and universities currently participating in ISBE’s pilot program to develop plans to recruit and retain future teachers of color.

The College of Education has a strong foundation for expanding initiatives to recruit teachers of color through the continued work of the Multicultural Education Recruitment in Teaching (MERIT) program. Introduced in 2012, the MERIT program mission is to help recruit, prepare, place, and induct a new generation of excellent teachers – a teacher corps that more nearly matches the demographics of the student population.

Learn more about MERIT

Please see the Dual Credit Endorsement Courses accordion/tab on the REAL Program: All Courses page for current course titles and semester schedules.
karen blaha female with short dark hair smiling
Deborah Glenn
male headshot
Srimani Chakravarthi
Donna Metlicka

Meet the College of Education Faculty