Focus Programs

Focused Programs for Certified Teachers Seeking a Subsequent Certificate

Type 03 - Elementary Education and Type 10 - Special - Art Education

Individuals who hold an Illinois Teaching Certificate are eligible to apply to the Graduate School at Columbia College Chicago for admission to a focused certification program in the Educational Studies Program.

Applicants will submit documentation to determine qualification for a focused program to the MAT Program Advisor:

• an initial information form including rationale for seeking a subsequent certificate
• graduate and undergraduate transcripts
• documentation of successful teaching experience on current credential(s)

After an evaluation of documentation plus an interview with the program advisor and a member of the full-time faculty, candidates may be invited to apply through the Graduate School for admission to the program in which certification is sought. Applicants will submit a full application to the Graduate School and will be accepted or rejected using the usual criteria for admission to Educational Studies programs. During their time in the program, applicants will be subject to the policies of the Graduate School and to all Program evaluation processes in place for students seeking initial certification. Upon completion of a focused program, candidates will be recommended for certification by entitlement, verifying that they have met Illinois Professional Teaching Standards. Thus, an individual focused program may be adjusted if internal assessments indicate additional requirements are needed to meet standards.

• Candidates must fulfill necessary prerequisite coursework for the certificate.
• Candidates are responsible for completing all clinical hours associated with courses.
• Candidates must pass the appropriate Content and APT examinations.
• Applicants must complete coursework within three years of acceptance to the program.

For information: Sheila Brady, MAT Program Advisor
312-369-8147 - sbrady@colum.edu

Coursework

Coursework needed for certification in Columbia's two programs is listed below. If an applicant has taken similar coursework during the last five years for a grade of A or B and this can be documented by transcript analysis and course descriptions, the student will not need to repeat the course.

ELEMENTARY EDUCATION (SEMESTER CREDIT)

Methods and Materials for Teaching Reading and Language Arts
at the Elementary and Middle School Levels (3)
Methods and Materials for Teaching Social Studies
at the Elementary and Middle School Levels (1)
Methods and Materials for Teaching Math
at the Elementary and Middle School Levels (3)
Methods and Materials for Teaching Science
at the Elementary and Middle School Levels (3)
Methods and Materials for Teaching Arts and Humanities
at the Elementary and Middle School Levels (3)
Psychology of the Middle School Child (3)
Teaching at the Middle School Level (3)
Technology in the Classroom: Using Multimedia Resources (1)
Student Teaching Internship
(limited time - spring or summer semester) (2)

ART EDUCATION (SEMESTER CREDIT)

Learning and Teaching in, about, and through the Visual Arts (3)
Methods and Materials for Teaching the Visual Arts
at the Elementary and Middle School Level (3)
Learning and Teaching in, about, and through Drama and Creative Writing (3)
Learning and Teaching in, about, and through Music and Movement (3)
Methods and Materials for Teaching the Visual Arts
at the Secondary School Level (3)
Technology in the Classroom: Using Multimedia Resources (1)
Psychology of the Middle School Child (3)
Student Teaching Internship (2)
(limited time - spring or summer semester)