Middle Grades Education, CERT
for the Graduate Certificate in Middle Grades Education
The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign offers a Graduate Certificate (CERT) in Middle Grades Education, requiring 33 credit hours of coursework. This CERT prepares professionals holding a bachelor’s degree to teach in grades 5-8. The program meets the needs of non-licensed paraprofessionals who are working in classrooms to become licensed teachers. The online program, offered summers and evenings, combines foundational knowledge and practical experiences to fill the need for outstanding teachers at the middle grades level throughout the state of Illinois. The Middle Grades Education (CERT) program will be offered with endorsements in two areas (Literacy and Science), but candidates may choose to concentrate in one area alone. The coursework leads to licensure to teach in grades 5-8. Upon completing the CERT, students will be able to:
- Utilize content and general teaching methods.
- Apply an understanding of adolescent development in teaching methods.
- Pursue teaching positions in middle schools in Illinois.
- Teach in subject areas of literacy and science depending on concentration selections.
Admission
The Department of Curriculum and Instruction carefully considers all applicants for graduate study. Interested applicants should start at the College of Education Graduate Programs website. The quality of the applicant's undergraduate and graduate training and grade point average are primary considerations. Other important factors evaluated include the three letters of recommendation and statement of purpose. International applicants must submit a TOEFL score.
Faculty Research Interests
For information about specific faculty research interests, current grants, and publications, please visit the Faculty Finder.
Facilities and Resources
Departmental resources consist of cooperation with Children's Research Center, Center for Small Urban Communities, as well as other resources in the College. Students who are interested in second language acquisition can become a part of the SLATE program. The department is connected to the University of Illinois Writing Project and the following journals: International Journal of Education & the Arts, Journal of Curriculum Studies, and American Educational Research Journal. The department also has available resources and some workshops provided during the academic year. Program areas (including CREATE, DELTA, Language & Literacy, and MSE) offer discipline-specific resources.
The College of Education also has many resources to assist graduate students through their academic career. The Bureau of Educational Research works with students to secure research funding. The Council on Teacher Education entitles candidates seeking a Professional Educator License and provides accreditation of professional education programs. Each student completing a degree program is assigned a graduate adviser, who is available to assist the student with planning the program of study and determining degree requirements, courses and timelines for degree completion.
Information on University resources can be found at the GradMap pages website.
Financial Aid
Please contact University of Illinois Student Financial Aid directly at (217) 333-0100 or finaid@illinois.edu for any questions you may have related to financial aid.
for the Graduate Certificate in Middle Grades Education
Graduation Requirements
Minimum Cumulative GPA: 3.0
Minimum hours required for certificate completion: 33 hours
Students who pursue an EDM in Curriculum and Instruction following completion of this certificate can use these certificate courses to satisfy most degree requirements for the Masters program. Students pursuing that route will still need to satisfy requirements for foundations courses and a total of 12 credit hours of 500 level coursework.
Coursework Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Professional Education | ||
| CI 402 | Teaching Diverse Middle Grade Students (Science Section) | 3-6 |
AND/OR | ||
| Teaching Diverse Middle Grade Students (English Language Arts Section) | ||
| CI 404 | Teaching and Assessing Secondary School Students | 3 |
| CI 410 | Middle School Instruction, Philosophy and Structures | 3 |
| CI 415 | Language Varieties, Cultures and Learning | 3 |
| CI 471 | Principles and Practices to Foster Independence in Reading | 3 |
| CI 474 | Multiliteracies with Diverse Students (Multiliteracies and Literature) | 3 |
| EDPR 442 | Educational Practice in Secondary Education (Section MG) | 4 |
| EDPR 550 | School and Community Experience | 4 |
| EPSY 430 | Early Adolescent Development | 3-4 |
| SPED 517 | Disability Issues in Special Education | 4 |
| Total Hours | 33-37 | |
for the Graduate Certificate in Middle Grades Education
Department of Curriculum & Instruction
Interim Head of the Department: Michaelene Ostrosky
Director of Graduate Studies: Emma Mercier
Graduate admissions information: Mitzi Koeberlein
Department of Curriculum & Instruction website
Curriculum & Instruction Faculty
142 Education Building, 1310 South Sixth Street, Champaign, IL 61820
(217) 244-3542
Graduate Student Services Office email
College of Education
College of Education website
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