- Candidates starting Bilingual Education 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 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.
Register by selecting the date link for each course/section in which you wish to enroll. Courses will close as noted or sooner if the course is at capacity. If a waiting list is available it will replace the registration link for the course.
EEND 631 Theoretical Foundations of Bilingual and ESL (4 credit hours)
EEND 631: October 7 – December 2, 2019 | online course (register by 9/23)
EEND 632 Methods and Materials for Teaching ESL (4 credit hours)
EEND 632: October 7 – December 2, 2019 | online course (register by 9/23)
EEND 633 Assessment of Bilingual and ESL Students (3 credit hours)
EEND 633: October 7 – December 2, 2019 | online course (register by 9/23)
EEND 634 Cross Cultural Studies for Teaching Limited-English Proficient Students (3 credit hours)
EEND 634: October 7 – December 2, 2019 | online course (register by 9/23)
EEND 637 Methods and Materials for Teaching Bilingual Students (3 credit hours)
EEND 637: October 7 – December 2, 2019 | online course (register by 9/23)
EEND 638 Supporting English Language Learners in the Inclusive Classroom (1 credit hour)
EEND 638: October 7 – 28, 2019 | online course (register by 9/23)
Register by selecting the date link for each course/section in which you wish to enroll. Courses will close as noted or sooner if the course is at capacity. If a waiting list is available it will replace the registration link for the course.
REAL 612 Educating for Character (3 credit hours)
Check back for spring semester options
REAL 616 Becoming a School of Character (3 credit hours)
Register for REAL 616: October 7 – December 2, 2019 | online course (register by 9/23)
Register by selecting the date link for each course/section in which you wish to enroll. Courses will close as noted or sooner if the course is at capacity. If a waiting list is available it will replace the registration link for the course.
EEND 602 Survey of Gifted Education (3 credit hours)
EEND 602: October 7 – December 2, 2019 | online course (register by 9/23)
Special rate for this section of EEND 602 (CRN 10330): $250 per credit hour
EEND 613 Differentiated Instruction (3 credit hours)
EEND 613: October 7 – December 2, 2019 | online course (register by 9/23)
Special rate for this section of EEND 613 (CRN 10894): $195 per credit hour
EEND 640 Development and Characteristics of Individuals with Special Needs (3 credit hours)
EEND 640: October 7 – December 2, 2019 | online course (register by 9/23)
REAL 694 Curriculum and Instruction for Gifted and Talented Students
REAL 694 Z3: September 16 – November 11, 2019 | online course (register by 9/2)
Special rate for this section of REAL 694 (CRN 10877): $195 per credit hour
- 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.
Register by selecting the date link for each course/section in which you wish to enroll. Courses will close as noted or sooner if the course is at capacity. If a waiting list is available it will replace the registration link for the course.
EEND 600 Introduction to Special Education Finance (3 credit hours)
EEND 600: October 7 – December 2, 2019 | online course (register by 9/23)
EEND 606 Supervision of Programs for Exceptional Children (3 credit hours)
Check back for spring semester options
EEND 641 Legal and Historical Foundations in Special Education (3 credit hours)
Check back for spring semester options
EEND 644 Specialized Curriculum and Methods in Special Education
EEND 644: October 7 – December 2, 2019 | online course (register by 9/23)
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.
- EEND 615 Injury Prevention & Safety
- EEND 616 Driver Task Analysis
- EEND 617 Methods of Teaching Driver Education: Classroom
- EEND 618 Methods of Teaching Driver Education: Behind the Wheel
- EEND 619 Methods of Teaching Advanced, Evasive, Simulation and Range
CLICK HERE to contact IHSCDEA and express your interest in joining an upcoming cohort.
Register by selecting the date link for each course/section in which you wish to enroll. Courses will close as noted or sooner if the course is at capacity. If a waiting list is available it will replace the registration link for the course.
REAL 642 Dyslexia and Reading Disabilities: 1 in 5 (1 credit hour)
Check back for spring semester options
REAL 643 Dyslexia and Reading Disabilities Part II: Multi-Sensory Teaching Strategies (1 credit hour)
Check back for spring semester options
REAL 644 Dyslexia and Reading Disabilities Part III: Foundations and Structure of Oral and Written Language (1 credit hour)
Check back for spring semester options
Register by selecting the date link for each course/section in which you wish to enroll. Courses will close as noted or sooner if the course is at capacity. If a waiting list is available it will replace the registration link for the course.
REAL 646: edTPA-Support for the Licensed Professional (0 credit/enrichment workshop)
Register for REAL 646: August 19 – December 2, 2019 | online course (register by 9/23)
- 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.
- Educators pursuing a Technology Specialist endorsement may not need all courses offered and are encouraged to visit ISBE to view current requirements for adding the Technology Specialist endorsement to a valid PEL.
Register by selecting the date link for each course/section in which you wish to enroll. Courses will close as noted or sooner if the course is at capacity. If a waiting list is available it will replace the registration link for the course.
EEND 675: Foundations of Educational Technology (3 credit hours)
EEND 675: October 7 – December 2, 2019 | online course (register by 9/23)
EEND 676: Collaborative Web Tools in Education (3 credit hours)
Check back for spring semester options
EEND 677: Multimedia Tools in Education (3 credit hours)
EEND 677: September 16 – November 11, 2019 | online course
Special rate for this section of EEND 677 (CRN 10383): $195 per credit hour
EEND 678: Effective Technology Integration Into Lessons and Curriculum (3 credit hours)
Check back for spring semester options
EEND 679: Assessing and Improving Student Achievement with Technology (3 credit hours)
Check back for spring semester options
EEND 680: 21st Century Educational Leadership (3 credit hours)
Check back for spring semester options
EEND 681: Managing Educational Technology Services (3 credit hours)
Register for EEND 681: October 7 – December 2, 2019 | online course (register by 9/23)
EEND 713: Engaging eLearning (3 credit hours)
Register for EEND 713: October 7 – December 2, 2019 | online course (register by 9/23)
YOU MAY ALSO ENJOY:
EEND 683: Using Technology to Flip Learning (1 credit hour)
EEND 683: October 7 – 28, 2019 | online course
- 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.
Register by selecting the date link for each course/section in which you wish to enroll. Courses will close as noted or sooner if the course is at capacity. If a waiting list is available it will replace the registration link for the course.
EEND 631 Theoretical Foundations of Bilingual and ESL (4 credit hours)
EEND 631: October 7 – December 2, 2019 | online course (register by 9/23)
EEND 632 Methods and Materials for Teaching ESL (4 credit hours)
EEND 632: October 7 – December 2, 2019 | online course (register by 9/23)
EEND 633 Assessment of Bilingual and ESL Students (3 credit hours)
EEND 633: October 7 – December 2, 2019 | online course (register by 9/23)
EEND 634 Cross Cultural Studies for Teaching Limited-English Proficient Students (3 credit hours)
EEND 634: October 7 – December 2, 2019 | online course (register by 9/23)
EEND 636 Linguistics (4 credit hours)
EEND 636: October 7 – December 2, 2019 | online course (register by 9/23)
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.
EEND 637 Methods and Materials for Teaching Bilingual Students (3 credit hours)
EEND 637: October 7 – December 2, 2019 | online course (register by 9/23)
Register by selecting the date link for each course/section in which you wish to enroll. Courses will close as noted or sooner if the course is at capacity. If a waiting list is available it will replace the registration link for the course.
REAL 618 Financial Literacy Using Children’s Literature (1 credit hour)
Register for REAL 618: October 7 – 28, 2019 | online course (register by 9/23)
Special rate for this section of REAL 618 (CRN 10792): $195 per credit hour
Register by selecting the date link for each course/section in which you wish to enroll. Courses will close as noted or sooner if the course is at capacity. If a waiting list is available it will replace the registration link for the course.
EEND 602 Survey of Gifted Education (3 credit hours)
EEND 602: October 7 – December 2, 2019 | online course (register by 9/23)
Special rate for this section of EEND 602 (CRN 10330): $250 per credit hour
REAL 694 Curriculum and Instruction for Gifted and Talented Students
REAL 694 Z3: September 16 – November 11, 2019 | online course (register by 9/2)
Special rate for this section of REAL 694 (CRN 10877): $195 per credit hour
- 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.
- Educators pursuing a Health Education endorsement may not need all courses offered and are encouraged to visit ISBE to view current requirements for adding the Health Education endorsement to a valid PEL.
Register by selecting the date link for each course/section in which you wish to enroll. Courses will close as noted or sooner if the course is at capacity. If a waiting list is available it will replace the registration link for the course.
EEND 730 School Health Curriculum and Evaluation (3 credit hours)
Check back for spring semester options
EEND 731 Mental and Emotional Health in Education (3 credit hours)
Check back for spring semester options
EEND 732 Nutrition in Education (3 credit hours)
Check back for spring semester options
EEND 733 Drug Education (3 credit hours)
Check back for spring semester options
EEND 734 Teaching Personal Health (3 credit hours)
Check back for spring semester options
EEND 735 Environmental Health in the Classroom (3 credit hours)
Check back for spring semester options
EEND 736 Disease Prevention in Education (3 credit hours)
EEND 736: October 7 – December 2, 2019 | online course (register by 9/23)
EEND 737 Human Sexuality in Education (3 credit hours)
Check back for spring semester options
EEND 738 Assessment & Evaluation in Physical Education (3 credit hours)
Check back for spring semester options
Register by selecting the date link for each course/section in which you wish to enroll. Courses will close as noted or sooner if the course is at capacity. If a waiting list is available it will replace the registration link for the course.
EEND 725 Legendary Teacher Traits (3 credit hours)
EEND 725: October 7 – December 2, 2019 | online course (register by 9/23)
Special rate for this section of EEND 725 (CRN 10896): $195 per credit hour
The courses noted under the section Middle School Professional Coursework may meet requirements for teachers with an existing/open deficiency letter from ISBE expiring on or before June 30, 2020. The endorsement must be ISSUED BY ISBE on or before June 30, 2020 so educators with an open deficiency must complete outstanding courses and submit corresponding transcripts to ISBE well in advance of the deadline.
Spring 2020 will be the last opportunity to complete EEND 630 and EEND 687 as noted under the section for Middle School Professional Coursework.
Middle School Professional Coursework
Register by selecting the date link for each course/section in which you wish to enroll. Courses will close as noted or sooner if the course is at capacity. If a waiting list is available it will replace the registration link for the course.
EEND 630 Psychology and Development of the Middle School Child (3 credit hours)
EEND 630: September 9 – December 6, 2019 | online course (register by 8/26)
EEND 687 Middle School Philosophy, Curriculum and Instruction (3 credit hours)
EEND 687: October 7 – December 2, 2019 | online course (register by 9/23)
Middle Grades/Adolescent Methods Courses
Educators enrolled in middle grades 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.
Please submit the following interest form to begin the process of registering for adolescent methods courses at USF: Adolescent Methods Course Interest Form
View ISBE’s Acceptable Areas of Coursework for Endorsements
EEND 693 Methods of Teaching Adolescents Social Science
August 19 – December 13, 2019 | blended course (USF Main, R, 6-8:45 p.m.)
EEND 694 Methods of Teaching Adolescents Mathematics
August 19 – December 13, 2019 | online course
EEND 695 Methods of Teaching Adolescents English/Language Arts
August 19 – December 13, 2019 | online course
If you are interested in teaching Middle Grades and do not currently hold one of the following endorsements: 5-8 or 6-8 Middle Level, K-12 Special Teaching, PK-12 Teaching, or PK-21 Special Education, please visit Subsequent Teaching Endorsements via Focused Programs
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.
REAL 600 Standards and Propositions NB (3 credit hours) | Prerequisite Course
REAL 601 Analyzing Curriculum Planning NB (3 credit hours)
REAL 602 Reflecting on Your Teaching NB (3 credit hours)
REAL 603 Collaborating Relationships NB (3 credit hours)
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.
Register by selecting the date link for each course/section in which you wish to enroll. Courses will close as noted or sooner if the course is at capacity. If a waiting list is available it will replace the registration link for the course.
REAL 694 Curriculum and Instruction for Gifted and Talented Students
REAL 694 Z3: September 16 – November 11, 2019 | online course (register by 9/2)
Special rate for this section of REAL 694 (CRN 10877): $195 per credit hour
EEND 725 Legendary Teacher Traits (3 credit hours)
EEND 725: October 7 – December 2, 2019 | online course (register by 9/23)
Special rate for this section of EEND 725 (CRN 10896): $195 per credit hour
REAL 618 Financial Literacy Using Children’s Literature (1 credit hour)
REAL 618: October 7 – 28, 2019 | online course (register by 9/23)
Special rate for this section of REAL 618 (CRN 10792): $195 per credit hour
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)
Register for REAL 688 Z : September 16 – December 13, 2019 (3 credit hours)
Register for REAL 688 Z : September 16 – December 13, 2019 (4 credit hours)
Register by selecting the date link for each course/section in which you wish to enroll. Courses will close as noted or sooner if the course is at capacity. If a waiting list is available it will replace the registration link for the course.
EEND 638 Supporting English Language Learners in the Inclusive Classroom (1 credit hour)
EEND 638: October 7 – 28, 2019 | online course (register by 9/23)
EEND 683: Using Technology to Flip Learning (1 credit hour)
EEND 683: October 7 – 28, 2019 | online course (register by 9/23)
EEND 692 Culturally Responsive Instruction (1 credit hour)
Register for EEND 692: November 11 – December 2, 2019 | online course (register by 10/28)
REAL 618 Financial Literacy Using Children’s Literature (1 credit hour)
REAL 618: October 7 – 28, 2019 | online course (register by 9/23)
REAL 642 Dyslexia and Reading Disabilities: 1 in 5 (1 credit hour)
Check back for spring semester options
REAL 643 Dyslexia and Reading Disabilities Part II: Multi-Sensory Teaching Strategies (1 credit hour)
Check back for spring course dates.
REAL 644 Dyslexia and Reading Disabilities Part III: Foundations and Structure of Oral and Written Language (1 credit hour)
Check back for spring semester options
- The Illinois Reading Teacher endorsement requires 24 hours of coursework and is the minimum requirement for anyone assigned to teach reading who is not teaching reading as part of general classroom instruction.
- All Reading Teacher courses are on file at the Illinois State Board of Education.
- Candidates may not need to take all 24 credit hours and are encouraged to visit ISBE for current information on adding the Reading Teacher endorsement to a valid PEL.
- 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 (valid for grade range held) endorsement to a valid PEL.
- Educators interested in adding the LBS I (PreK-Age 21) endorsement to their educator license can visit our M.S. Teaching & Learning program page for more information.
Register by selecting the date link for each course/section in which you wish to enroll. Courses will close as noted or sooner if the course is at capacity. If a waiting list is available it will replace the registration link for the course.
EEND 605 Survey of the Exceptional Child (3 credit hours)
EEND 605: October 7 – December 2, 2019 | online course (register by 9/23)
EEND 640 Development and Characteristics of Individuals with Special Needs (3 credit hours)
EEND 640: October 7 – December 2, 2019 | online course (register by 9/23)
EEND 642 Assessment and Diagnosis in Special Education (3 credit hours)
EEND 642: October 7 – December 2, 2019 | online course (register by 9/23)
EEND 644 Specialized Curriculum and Methods in Special Education (3 credit hours)
EEND 644: October 7 – December 2, 2019 | online course (register by 9/23)
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