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.
For current information regarding Illinois State Board of Education requirements for licensure and endorsements (including tests when applicable), please visit ISBE.
Summer 2021 Schedule and Course Registration
- EEND 631 Theoretical Foundations of Bilingual and ESL (4)
- EEND 632 Methods and Materials for Teaching ESL (4)
- EEND 633 Assessment of Bilingual and ESL Students (3)
- EEND 634 Cross Cultural Studies/Limitied-English Proficient Students (3)
- EEND 637 Methods and Materials for Teaching Bilingual Students (3)
- EEND 638 Supporting English Language Learners in the Inclusive Classroom (1)
All courses in this series are offered 100% online.
JOIN THE WAITING LIST for current semester courses that have reached capacity OR to express interest in future semesters.
About the Bilingual Education Endorsement
- 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.
Course of Interest
- An additional one credit hour course is now being offered: Welcoming Newly Arrived EL Students. Visit the One Hour Courses section of this page for details.
Course availability varies by semester.
Summer 2021 Schedule and Course Registration
- REAL 612 Educating for Character (3)
- REAL 616 Becoming a School of Character (3)
- REAL 694 Topics: Ethical Decision Making and Virtue Development (3)
JOIN THE WAITING LIST for current semester courses that have reached capacity OR to express interest in future semesters.
CLICK HERE to learn more about becoming a State School of Character!
Summer 2021 Schedule and Course Registration
- EEND 602 Survey of Gifted Education (3)
- EEND 611 Serving English Language Learners with Special Needs (3)
- EEND 613 Differentiated Instruction (3)
- EEND 614 Behavioral Strategies for the Heterogeneous Classroom (3)
- EEND 640 Development and Characteristics of Individuals with Special Needs (3)
- EEND 718 Curriculum and Instruction for Gifted and Talented Students (3)
- EEND 719 Social Emotional Development for Gifted and Talented Students (3)
All courses in this series are offered 100% online. Availability varies by semester.
JOIN THE WAITING LIST for current semester courses that have reached capacity OR to express interest in future semesters.
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.
Summer 2021 Schedule and Course Registration
- EEND 600 Introduction to Special Education Finance (3)
- EEND 606 Supervision of Programs for Exceptional Children (3)
- EEND 641 Legal and Historical Foundations in Special Education (3)
- EEND 644 Specialized Curriculum and Methods in Special Education (3)
JOIN THE WAITING LIST for current semester courses that have reached capacity OR to express interest in future semesters.
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:
- EEND 615 Injury Prevention & Safety (3)
- EEND 616 Driver Task Analysis (3)
- EEND 617 Methods of Teaching Driver Education: Classroom (3)
- EEND 618 Methods of Teaching Driver Education: Behind the Wheel (3)
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.
Summer 2021 Schedule and Course Registration
- REAL 642 Dyslexia and Reading Disabilities: 1 in 5 (1)
- REAL 643 Part II: Multi-Sensory Teaching Strategies (1)
- REAL 644 Part III: Foundations and Structure of Oral and Written Language (1)
All courses in this series are offered 100% online. Availability varies by semester.
JOIN THE WAITING LIST for current semester courses that have reached capacity OR to express interest in future semesters.
Summer 2021 Schedule and Course Registration
REAL 646: edTPA-Support for the Licensed Professional (0 credit/enrichment workshop)
Course is offered 100% online.
Summer 2021 Schedule and Course Registration
- EEND 675 Foundations of Educational Technology (3)
- EEND 676 Collaborative Web Tools in Education (3)
- EEND 677 Multimedia Tools in Education (3)
- EEND 678 Effective Technology Integration Into Lessons and Curriculum (3)
- EEND 679 Assessing and Improving Student Achievement with Technology (3)
- EEND 680 21st Century Educational Leadership (3)
- EEND 681 Managing Educational Technology Services (3)
- EEND 713 Engaging eLearning (3)
All courses in this series are offered 100% online. Availability varies by semester.
JOIN THE WAITING LIST for current semester courses that have reached capacity OR to express interest in future semesters.
Other Technology Courses You Might Enjoy!
- EEND 716 Remote Learning: The Basics and Beyond (1)
- EEND 717 Remote Learning through a Special Education Lens (1)
- EEND 683 Using Technology to Flip Learning (1)
About the Technology Specialist Endorsement
- 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.
Summer 2021 Schedule and Course Registration
- ENGE 510 Rhetorical Theory (3)
- ENGE 511 Rhetorical Theory II (3)
- ENGE 512 Composition Studies I, Theory (3)
JOIN THE WAITING LIST for current semester courses that have reached capacity OR to express interest in future semesters.
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 511 Rhetorical Theory II: Contemporary Rhetoric provides students with an overview of the major theoretical foundations necessary for the study of contemporary rhetorical theory and thinking. Much contemporary rhetorical work begins with Nietzsche in the 19th century and runs through a full gamut of schools and thinkers in the twentieth century related to the heavily discussed “linguistic turn.” This course will focus quite closely on just a few of the major theoretical contributors (Heidegger, Burke, Austin, Foucault, Derrida, Lyotard) while also canvassing a number of different adjacent fields of study (affect theory, apparatus theory, media studies, critical and political theory) and various schools of philosophy (postmodernism, structuralism/poststructuralism, deconstruction).
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.
ENGE 513 Composition Studies II Praxis: This course, which is intended primarily for prospective teachers, will help you 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? Our class will explore these questions for theoretical and practical purposes. By the end of the course, you will have a better understanding of yourself as a writer and a teacher, and you will be equipped with practical tools for teaching writing.
For current information regarding Illinois State Board of Education requirements for licensure and endorsements (including tests when applicable), please visit ISBE.
Summer 2021 Schedule and Course Registration
- EEND 631 Theoretical Foundations of Bilingual and ESL (4)
- EEND 632 Methods and Materials for Teaching ESL (4)
- EEND 633 Assessment of Bilingual and ESL Students (3)
- EEND 634 Cross Cultural Studies/Limited-English Proficient Students (3)
- EEND 636 Linguistics (4)
All courses in this series are offered 100% online.
JOIN THE WAITING LIST for current semester courses that have reached capacity OR to express interest in future semesters.
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)
View course dates and register for EEND 637
About the ESL Endorsement
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.
Other Courses of Interest
- Additional one credit hour courses are offered for various topics such as Welcoming Newly Arrived EL Students and Supporting English Language Learners in the Inclusive Classroom. Visit the One Hour Courses section of this page for details.
Summer 2021 Schedule and Course Registration
- REAL 617 Stock Market Economic Finance (1)
- REAL 618 Financial Literacy Using Children’s Literature (1)
- REAL 619 Financial Literacy Using Math Applications (1)
All courses in this series are offered 100% online. Availability varies by semester.
JOIN THE WAITING LIST for current semester courses that have reached capacity OR to express interest in future semesters.
Educators interested in adding the Health Education or Physical Education endorsements to a valid PEL are encouraged to visit their local ROE or the ISBE website for current requirements.
Summer 2021 Schedule and Course Registration
- EEND 730 School Health Curriculum and Evaluation (3)
- EEND 731 Mental and Emotional Health in Education (3)
- EEND 732 Nutrition in Education (3)
- EEND 733 Drug Education (3)
- EEND 734 Teaching Personal Health (3)
- EEND 735 Environmental Health in the Classroom (3)
- EEND 736 Disease Prevention in Education (3)
- EEND 737 Human Sexuality in Education (3)
- EEND 738 Assessment & Evaluation in Physical Education (3)
All courses in this series are offered 100% online. Availability varies by semester.
JOIN THE WAITING LIST for current semester courses that have reached capacity OR to express interest in future semesters.
Summer 2021 Schedule and Course Registration
Three Credit Hour Courses
- EEND 725 Legendary Teacher Traits
- EEND 726 Practices Leading to High Student Achievement
- EEND 728 Social-Emotional Learning: Principles and Practices
- REAL 694 Enhancing the Social Emotional Climate of a Classroom with Mindfulness
- REAL 694 Strategies to Support Blended Learning
One Credit Hour Courses
- EEND 655 Strategic Collaborations for the Classroom
- EEND 727 Creating Successful Teaching and Learning Environments
All courses in this series are offered 100% online. Availability varies by semester.
JOIN THE WAITING LIST for current semester courses that have reached capacity OR to express interest in future semesters.
Summer 2021 Schedule and Course Registration
- EEND 645 Instructional Coaching and Professional Development (3)
- EEND 646 Instructional Coaching Cycle (3)
- EEND 647 Data Informed Instructional Coaching (3)
- EEND 649 Student-Centered Instructional Coaching (3)
All courses in this series are offered 100% online. Availability varies by semester.
JOIN THE WAITING LIST for current semester courses that have reached capacity OR to express interest in future semesters.
Summer 2021 Schedule and Course Registration
- EEND 690 General Mathematics Methods
- EEND 691 Methods of Teaching Adolescents Science
- EEND 693 Methods of Teaching Adolescents Social Science
- EEND 694 Methods of Teaching Adolescents Mathematics
- EEND 695 Methods of Teaching Adolescents English/Language Arts
- REAL 694 General Literacy Methods
JOIN THE WAITING LIST for current semester courses that have reached capacity OR to express interest in future semesters.
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 ISBE Subsequent Endorsement information here.
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
- REAL 600 Standards and Propositions NB (3) | Prerequisite Course
- REAL 601 Analyzing Curriculum Planning NB (3)
- REAL 602 Reflecting on Your Teaching NB (3)
- REAL 603 Collaborating Relationships NB (3)
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.
Summer 2021 Schedule and Course Registration
New Three Hour Courses
- EEND 645 Instructional Coaching and Professional Development
- EEND 646 Instructional Coaching Cycle
- EEND 647 Data Informed Instructional Coaching
- EEND 649 Student-Centered Instructional Coaching
- EEND 726 Practices Leading to High Student Achievement
- EEND 728 Social-Emotional Learning: Principles and Practices
- ENGE 510 Rhetorical Theory
- ENGE 512 Composition Studies I, Theory
- REAL 694 Enhancing the Social Emotional Climate of a Classroom with Mindfulness
- REAL 694 Strategies to Support Blended Learning
- REAL 695 Instructional Planning and Assessment
- REAL 695 Serving Special Populations
New One Hour Courses
- EEND 655 Strategic Collaborations for the Classroom
- EEND 716 Remote Learning: The Basics and Beyond
- EEND 717 Remote Learning through a Special Education Lens
- EEND 727 Creating Successful Teaching and Learning Environments
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.
Summer 2021 Schedule and Course Registration
Summer 2021 Schedule and Course Registration
- EEND 638 Supporting English Language Learners in the Inclusive Classroom
- EEND 652 Autism Spectrum Disorders
- EEND 655 Strategic Collaborations for the Classroom
- EEND 683 Using Technology to Flip Learning
- EEND 684 Dissecting Math Data: Looking Past the RTI Colors
- EEND 685 Dissecting Literacy Data: Looking Past the RTI Colors
- EEND 692 Culturally Responsive Instruction
- EEND 716 Remote Learning: The Basics and Beyond
- EEND 717 Remote Learning through a Special Education Lens
- EEND 727 Creating Successful Teaching and Learning Environments
- REAL 617 Stock Market Economic Finance
- REAL 618 Financial Literacy Using Children’s Literature
- REAL 619 Financial Literacy Using Math Applications
- REAL 642 Dyslexia & Reading Disabilities: 1 in 5
- REAL 643 Dyslexia Part II: Multi-Sensory Teaching Strategies
- REAL 644 Dyslexia Part III: Foundations/Structure of Oral and Written Language
- REAL 695 Welcoming Newly Arrived EL Students
All courses in this series are offered 100% online. Availability varies by semester.
JOIN THE WAITING LIST for current semester courses that have reached capacity OR to express interest in future semesters.
Summer 2021 Schedule and Course Registration
- EEND 679 Assessing and Improving Student Achievement with Technology (3)
- REAL 695 Instructional Planning and Assessment (3)
Educators interested in adding the Reading Teacher endorsement to a valid PEL are encouraged to visit their local ROE or the ISBE website for current requirements.
Summer 2021 Schedule and Course Registration
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.
JOIN THE WAITING LIST for current semester courses that have reached capacity OR to express interest in future semesters.
OTHER READING COURSES YOU MIGHT ENJOY
- REND 643 Exploration of Literacy Strategies & Materials for Student Achievement (3)
- REND 647 Literacy and Diverse Learners (3)
- REND 648 Developing Competent Writers* (3)
- EEND 685 Dissecting Literacy Data: Looking Past the RTI Colors (1)
- REAL 642 Dyslexia & Reading Disabilities: 1 in 5 (1)
- REAL 643 Dyslexia Part II: Multi-Sensory Teaching Strategies (1)
- REAL 644 Dyslexia Part III: Foundations/Structure of Oral and Written Language (1)
*Course title has recently been updated
Educators interested in adding the Reading Teacher endorsement to a valid PEL are encouraged to visit their local ROE or the ISBE website for current requirements.
Courses offered at USF do not meet requirements for the Early Childhood Special Education approval.
Summer 2021 Schedule and Course Registration
- EEND 605 Learners with Exceptional and Diverse Needs (3)
- EEND 640 Development and Characteristics of Individuals with Special Needs (3)
- EEND 642 Assessment and Diagnosis in Special Education (3)
- EEND 644 Specialized Curriculum and Methods in Special Education (3)
All courses in this series are offered 100% online.
JOIN THE WAITING LIST for current semester courses that have reached capacity OR to express interest in future semesters.
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.
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.
Other Courses of Interest
- 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 may be available