The Master of Science in Teaching & Inquiry (MSTI) Program is designed for licensed PreK-12 teachers with a minimum of one year of successful teaching experience in their own classroom. The MSTI program is designed to cultivate teachers who are critical, creative change agents. Students will develop 21st century classroom curricula and demonstrate progressive, inquiry-based teaching competencies.
Admission Requirements
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An undergraduate Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college.
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Current and valid state teacher licensure.
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Two letters of recommendation as part of the program application. One must be written by a teacher or administrator at the applicant’s school or a previous school.
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A minimum of one year of successful PreK-12 teaching in their own classroom.
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A 400-word essay as part of the program application.
Requirements for the MSTI Degree
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ELED-506 | Research Methodologies For Classroom Teachers | 3 |
| ELED-508 | Action Research Project | 3 |
| ELED-520 | Curriculum And Inquiry | 3 |
| ELED-525 | New Literacies For The 21st Century | 3 |
| BLBC-439 | Cultural Diversity In Our Schools | 3 |
| 5 Elective Courses | 15 | |
| Total Hours | 30 | |
Teacher Action Research Project
In ELED 506 Research Methodologies for Classroom Teachers (in Term 4) students choose a focus for their Teacher Action Research Project and write a Literature Review, design their research study, and write their Methodology. In ELED 508 (in Term 5) students carry out their Teacher Action Research Project. If a student is not currently in a classroom, an alternative program capstone project is designed and approved with the MSTI Advisor. Students will write their research as an Action Research Paper and share their project in a presentation in the MSTI Teacher Action Research Forum. All current MSTI students attend the Action Research Forum.
EXIT REQUIREMENTS FOR DEGREE COMPLETION
- Successful completion of all core and elective courses with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
- Teacher Action Research Project
- Teacher Action Research Project Presentation
endorsement requirements (optional)
If students choose to pursue an endorsement with their electives as part of the MSTI Program they must successfully complete all endorsement courses and any tests required by the State of Illinois. See more information on the ISBE Website).
This sample curricular map is provided to guide you in the planning of your progression for this major. This guide should not replace regular consultations with your program advisor. For specific recommendations of courses not identified, please consult your program advisor.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Term 1 | Hours | |
| BLBC-439 | Cultural Diversity In Our Schools | 3 |
| 1 Elective course | 3 | |
| Term Hours | 6 | |
| Term 2 | ||
| ELED-525 | New Literacies For The 21st Century | 3 |
| 1 Elective course | 3 | |
| Term Hours | 6 | |
| Term 3 | ||
| ELED-520 | Curriculum And Inquiry | 3 |
| 1 Elective course | 3 | |
| Term Hours | 6 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Term 1 | ||
| ELED-506 | Research Methodologies For Classroom Teachers | 3 |
| ELED-507 | Action Research Design Seminar | 1 |
| 1 Elective course | 3 | |
| Term Hours | 7 | |
| Term 2 | ||
| ELED-508 | Action Research Project | 3 |
| 1 Elective course | 3 | |
| Term Hours | 6 | |
| Total Hours: | 31 | |