All REAL Courses

Registration for courses with prefix EEND, REAL, and REND will close one (1) week prior to the scheduled course start date. Course sections (including those offered 100% online) may close sooner if they reach capacity. Wait list information will be posted if available.

POLICY FOR NEW CANDIDATES
Individuals with no previous registration, coursework, or program enrollment at the University of St. Francis must register a minimum of five (5) business days prior to the scheduled course start date. This policy is driven by processing time for creation of a student account and access to various university resources required for a successful course start. For this reason, we strongly encourage new candidates to register a minimum of three (3) weeks prior to the scheduled course start date.

Educators taking courses through district, school, or regional education partnerships should visit the Partner Courses and Cohorts page for information and registration. Registering from this page rather than your designated partner page will place you in a standard course section – forfeiting any applicable tuition benefit associated with the partnership.

Individuals taking courses or enrolling in programs to pursue licensure, endorsements, certification, or to secure employment requiring specific teaching credentials should refer to their state board of education prior to enrollment to determine whether the course or program meets the requirements in the state in which they reside.

  • It is recommended that candidates starting Bilingual Education courses with USF begin with course EEND 631 followed in sequence by EEND 632 (these courses may be taken simultaneously).
  • In addition to course work noted, candidates seeking a Bilingual Education Endorsement in Illinois are required to complete 100 clock hours (or three months of teaching experience) in a bilingual setting. A tracking log should be retained, along with a letter verified by an administrator, of all hours or teaching experiences in a bilingual setting. The log and administrator verification will be required when applying to add the endorsement through ELIS and may be requested during an audit of educator records.
  • Appropriate Target Language Proficiency or English Language Proficiency test (as applicable) will be required.

For current information regarding Illinois State Board of Education requirements for licensure and endorsements (including tests when applicable), please visit ISBE.

View Spring 2021 schedule and REGISTER HERE

All courses in this series are offered 100% online.

Course availability varies by semester.

View Spring 2021 schedule and REGISTER HERE

CLICK HERE to learn more about becoming a State School of Character!

View Spring 2021 schedule and REGISTER HERE

All courses in this series are offered 100% online. Availability varies by semester.

Virtual course: EEND 614 Y Behavioral Strategies for the Heterogeneous Classroom
There are three scheduled mandatory VIRTUAL meetings on 3/10, 3/24, and 4/14 from 4:30 – 7:30 p.m. with additional requirements completed online.  Register HERE for this option.

The University of St. Francis does not currently offer a full program for the Director of Special Education endorsement. The courses noted below are those frequently required to satisfy deficiencies for educators pursuing the endorsement via ISBE credential evaluation: Director of Special Education Option 2

Option 2 for the Illinois Director of Special Education endorsement currently requires 1) a master’s degree, 2) endorsement in an administrative field, 3) two years of full-time experience providing special education services, 4) and specific coursework in both special education and administration of special education as outlined by ISBE.

Educators who already have the LBS I endorsement on their Illinois Professional Educator License may have already satisfied the requirement for EEND 644.

View Spring 2021 schedule and REGISTER HERE

All courses in this series are offered 100% online.

REAL has partnered with the Illinois High School College Driver Education Association (IHSCDEA) to provide Driver Education courses for educators interested in pursuing a Safety and Driver Education endorsement.

See ISBE Requirements for Safety and Driver Education Endorsements

Driver Education Courses offered at USF
Each title listed is three (3) semester hours and tuition is $1,000 per course.

The following courses may be used toward the required distribution for 12 of 18 hours for endorsement:

The following elective course may be used toward additional required hours:

Cohorts are now forming for Fall 2021!  CLICK HERE to contact IHSCDEA and express your interest in joining an upcoming cohort.
View Spring 2021 schedule and REGISTER HERE

All courses in this series are offered 100% online. Availability varies by semester.

View Spring 2021 schedule and REGISTER HERE

REAL 646: edTPA-Support for the Licensed Professional (0 credit/enrichment workshop)

Course is offered 100% online.

View Spring 2021 schedule and REGISTER HERE

All courses in this series are offered 100% online. Availability varies by semester.

Other Technology Courses You Might Enjoy!

About the Technology Specialist Endorsement

  • ISBE has made significant changes to subsequent endorsement requirements effective December 5, 2019. Please consult your local Regional Office of Education or the ISBE website for more information.
  • Courses offered in Educational Technology were developed using ISBE’s standards for the Technology Specialist endorsement and are on file at the Illinois State Board of Education.
  • Candidates may not need to take all courses offered and are encouraged to visit their local ROE or the ISBE website for current information on adding the Technology Specialist endorsement to a valid PEL.
View Spring 2021 schedule and REGISTER HERE

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

ENGE 510 Rhetorical Theory I: Classical Rhetoric provides candidates with an overview of some of the histories and theories of “classical” rhetorics beginning with their origins in Ancient Greece and Rome and moving into more contemporary paradigms and treatments.  This history will give candidates a thorough grasp of how much of what is talked about today in terms of “rhetoric” has its origin in antiquity.  Candidates will read primary texts by Plato and Aristotle with the goal of understanding how such thinkers managed to lay the foundations for a field of study that is flexible, nimble, and incredibly powerful.  The rich historical and theoretical treatment of rhetoric here will nicely prepare students to be able to follow and contribute to current conversations within the ever-growing field of rhetorical study.

ENGE 512 Composition Studies I:  Theory” will help candidates develop personally meaningful and useful ways of thinking about teaching writing. The class is rooted in the field of Composition Studies, which explores questions including: how do writers write? In what ways is writing teachable? In what ways is writing learnable? How should writing instructors approach errors in grammar or mechanics? Why should students write well? Who decides what it means to write well? How does writing respond to different social contexts? How does writing interact with other modes of communication, especially now that we communicate through digital platforms? This course will explore these questions for theoretical and practical purposes. By the end of the course, candidates will have a better understanding of themselves as writers and teachers—and will be equipped with practical tools for teaching writing.

Candidates starting ESL courses with USF are to begin with course EEND 631 followed in sequence by course EEND 632 (these courses may be taken simultaneously). Taking the two course out of sequence must meet with instructor approval.

In addition to course work noted, candidates seeking an ESL Endorsement in Illinois are required to complete 100 clock hours (or three months of teaching experience) in a bilingual or ESL setting. A tracking log should be retained, along with a letter verified by an administrator, of all hours or teaching experiences in a bilingual setting. The log and administrator verification will be required when applying to add the endorsement through ELIS and may be requested during an audit of educator records.

For current information regarding Illinois State Board of Education requirements for licensure and endorsements (including tests when applicable), please visit ISBE.

View Spring 2021 schedule and REGISTER HERE

All courses in this series are offered 100% online.

Candidates interested in adding both ESL and Bilingual Education endorsements will also need to take EEND 637, complete their 100 hours (or three months teaching) in a bilingual setting, and pass the appropriate Target Language Proficiency test as required by ISBE.

Additional Course Options: Spring 2021

EEND 636 L: Linguistics (4 credit hours)
March 8 – May 3, 2021
This course will meet VIRTUALLY on 3/9, 3/30, 4/27 from 4:30 – 8:30 with the remainder of the course completed online.
Register HERE for EEND 636 L

View Spring 2021 schedule and REGISTER HERE

All courses in this series are offered 100% online. Availability varies by semester.

  • Courses offered in Health Education were developed using ISBE’s standards for the Health Education endorsement and are on file at the Illinois State Board of Education.
  • Candidates may not need to take all courses offered and are encouraged to visit their local ROE or the ISBE website for current information on adding the Health Education endorsement to a valid PEL.
View Spring 2021 schedule and REGISTER HERE

All courses in this series are offered 100% online. Availability varies by semester.

View Spring 2021 schedule and REGISTER HERE

Three Credit Hour Courses

One Credit Hour Courses

All courses in this series are offered 100% online. Availability varies by semester.

View Spring 2021 schedule and REGISTER HERE

All courses in this series are offered 100% online. Availability varies by semester.

View Spring 2021 schedule and REGISTER HERE

Educators enrolled in content-specific methods courses at USF are required to demonstrate a strong understanding of the content and skills required for the applicable content area endorsement. It is highly recommended that the appropriate content area coursework is completed prior to enrolling in the methods courses. EEND 691, 693, 694, and 695 are designed with the assumption that enrolled students have sufficient content knowledge, as the courses focus on instruction in pedagogy.

View the latest ISBESubsequent Endorsement information here.

Please check back for upcoming opportunities.

The College of Education is pleased to offer graduate-level courses for candidates who have earned National Board Certification. Courses are available 100% online each semester. A National Board achievement certificate must be submitted (see below) and approved prior to enrolling in the following courses.

Special tuition rate: $225 per credit hour for REAL 600, 601, 602, 603, and 695

The following course is open to educators who have completed the National Board renewal process within the past two calendar years. A National Board renewal certificate must be submitted and approved prior to enrolling in the following course.

  • REAL 695 Accomplished Teaching (3)

Please complete the National Board inquiry form below to express your interest and validate your National Board status. Once the form and supporting documents are received, an email notification will be sent to the address provided with access to course registration.

This email will be used to confirm receipt of your submission as well as subsequent communication regarding the registration process.
This will not commit you to enrollment in any of the courses. It allows us to send you the registration information for the courses in which you are currently interested once evidence of completion for experiential requirements are confirmed.
View Spring 2021 schedule and REGISTER HERE

New Three Hour Courses

New One Hour Courses

All courses in this series are offered 100% online.

In recognition of the value of teacher research experience programs as a successful form of professional development, the University of St. Francis offers NOAA Teacher at Sea participants the opportunity to receive experiential graduate credit upon completing their NOAA at sea experience.

View Sample Course Syllabus Here

REAL 688 NOAA Teacher at Sea (3-4 credit hours)

Courses are offered 100% online.

View Spring 2021 schedule and REGISTER HERE
View Spring 2021 schedule and REGISTER HERE

All courses in this series are offered 100% online. Availability varies by semester.

ISBE has made significant changes to subsequent endorsement requirements effective December 5, 2019. Please consult your local Regional Office of Education or the ISBE website for more information.

  • The PK-12 Reading Teacher endorsement requires a specific distribution of coursework.
  • Educators interested in adding the Reading Teacher endorsement to an Illinois PEL may not need to take all courses offered. We encourage you to visit the ISBE website for the most current information and requirements.
  • All Reading Teacher courses offered are on file at the Illinois State Board of Education.
View Spring 2021 schedule and REGISTER HERE

READING TEACHER ENDORSEMENT COURSEWORK BY AREA

Foundations of reading
REND 641 Foundations of Literacy (3)

Content area reading
REND 689 Disciplinary Literacy (3)

Assessment and diagnosis of reading problems
REND 642 Literacy Assessment and Diagnosis* (3)

Developmental and remedial reading instruction, support, materials and resources
REND 645 Literacy Instructional Support (3)

Literature appropriate to students across all grade ranges
REND 644 Utilizing Literature in the Classroom (3)

Reading practicum
REND 651 Reading Teacher Practicum (1)

Recommended elective
REND 652 Dyslexia Awareness and Best Practices (2)

All courses in this series are offered 100% online. Availability varies by semester.

OTHER READING COURSES YOU MIGHT ENJOY

Visit One Hour Courses to check availability for the following courses:

*Course title has recently been updated

View current semester specials HERE

EEND 605 may be required if not previously completed during undergraduate or other graduate degree programs. Candidates may visit their local ROE or request assistance from the college/university where they believe the course was completed to determine if the course is still needed. USF is not able to determine if courses taken outside of the university meet ISBE requirements.

Courses offered at USF do not meet requirements for the Early Childhood Special Education approval.

Educators are encouraged to visit ISBE to view current requirements for adding the LBS I (limited K-Age 21) endorsement to a valid PEL.

  • Educators interested in adding the LBS I (full K-Age 21 approved program) endorsement to their educator license can visit our M.S. Teaching and Learning program page for more information.
View Spring 2021 schedule and REGISTER HERE

All courses in this series are offered 100% online.

Additional one credit hour courses are offered for various topics such as Autism,  Dyslexia, Remote Learning through a Special Education Lens and more. Visit the One Hour Courses section of this page for details. You also may be interested in the Master IEP Coach® Mentorship with our learning partner, Catherine Whitcher. 

USF Education Workshops

Experiential Workshops with USF’s Partners in Education
Fermilab, AMTA Midwest Modeling Workshops, and more!

  • Dates vary  by workshop
  • Optional graduate credit available

General Information - Courses and Registration

The University of St. Francis is accredited by both the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org) and the Illinois Board of Higher Education (ihbe.org). College of Education programs are accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (ncate.org) and approved by the Illinois State Board of Education (isbe.net).

  • Textbooks and course materials are not included in the price of tuition.
  • Current semester specials can be found at stfrancis.edu/real/specials.
  • Partnership course and cohort rates may be confirmed by contacting REAL at real@stfrancis.edu
  • Full payment of course tuition is required during the registration process. Payment may be made via credit card (processing fee applies) or electronic check through our secure registration site.
  • Student accounts may reflect a credit balance until semester tuition bills are posted (mid-December for Spring, mid-May for Summer, and late July for Fall).

*Tuition subject to university increases.

Courses offered through REAL are not eligible for federal financial assistance. Federal financial assistance like the Federal Direct Loan program can only be used for degree-seeking programs.

Online courses are structured to include discussions and assignments requiring active participation. Online courses are not self-paced. Candidates are expected to actively participate for the duration of the course. Candidates who are not able to commit to the full range of course dates should consider enrolling in an alternate semester.

Online courses in the College of Education, are structured and presented in a highly interactive instructional environment where candidates learn from the instructor, course materials, and one another. In the online environment, each candidate must respond to discussion questions posted by the instructor based upon reading assignments and course content, post responses to the instructor’s questions, and provide timely feedback to other candidates. Direct interaction with the instructor and other candidates in the course IS mandated. New course materials appear in each module. Candidates are expected to review all materials for optimal participation and learning. Assignments are embedded within each course, and the instructor provides feedback using assignment-specific rubrics and qualitative comments. The model for interaction within the online environment is instructor-candidate, candidate-instructor, and candidate-candidate.

When do classes meet online? While candidates are not expected to log in at a specific date and time, there are online discussions, assignments, and assessments that are due each week. It is recommended that candidates log in the first day of the course to establish attendance, get a sense of the online environment, and view course expectations.

How many assignments/topics are required to be posted and how often? Online courses typically consist of at least eight modules with readings and assignments in each. Most online courses require a minimum of three formative assessments and one summative.

How often do candidates need to read and post comments? Every week candidates are given several chapters or articles to read. Minimally, instructors will expect candidates to respond to one or more discussion questions based on these readings (usually by midweek) and then thoughtfully respond to other candidates’ posts.

What is the interaction between candidates? Candidates are expected to post thoughtful feedback to other candidates’ posts each week. Many online courses provide candidates the opportunity to collaborate electronically or in a virtual environment.

What is the interaction between candidates and the online instructor? Online course work at the University of St. Francis is conducted in a lively and robust learning environment with frequent interaction between the candidate and the instructor each week. At a minimum, the instructor will pose a discussion question to which the candidate will respond; that response will then generate feedback from the instructor.

Sample syllabi for most REAL courses can be found HERE.
Actual course syllabi with detailed assignments are made available on the first day of the course.

REAL offers flexible and accessible programming with a registration process that can be completed in under 60 seconds. Educators registering for courses with the prefix EEND, REAL, RECT, and REND simply locate a course title and select the corresponding date links to access the online registration form. No university application, transcripts, or test scores are required to register for courses taken as a special (non-degree seeking) graduate student through REAL.

Degree-seeking candidates and those enrolling in focused programs should register online through their MyUSF Student Account.

You can visit us in Donovan Hall (C-201) on the main campus in Joliet.

Mailing Address:
REAL at the University of St. Francis
500 Wilcox Street, C201
Joliet, IL 60435

YES! Candidates may roll up to 18 hours of graduate credit previously earned through REAL at the University of St. Francis (prefixes EEND, REAL, REND) into the M.S. Reading and M.S. Teaching and Learning programs.
 
For additional information, please contact:

Maggie Stevenson, Graduate Admissions Counselor
mstevenson@stfrancis.edu
815-740-3389

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