Program Overview

Introduction to the Curriculum Studies Program

The Curriculum Studies program at DePaul University offers students the opportunity to analyze and develop successful and impactful instructional options for students from preschool to the university level. With a thorough understanding of the sociocultural and political context of their environment and knowledge of various approaches, students will be positioned to create learning opportunities for diverse groups of students.

Program Overview

The Curriculum Studies Education Specialist program provides advanced study beyond a master's degree but does not require a dissertation. All classes meet in the evenings at the Lincoln Park Campus, and the degree program can be completed in two and a half years. Pursuing a degree in Chicago gives students the chance to work and learn in urban, suburban, and rural schools, impacting communities made up of students from all racial, ethnic, and religious backgrounds.

Admission Requirements

To be eligible for the Education Specialist program, students must hold both a bachelor's and master's degree from an accredited college or university and have a previous GPA of 3.0 or better on a 4.0 scale. A complete application to the EdS program will include:

• Graduate admission application
• $40 domestic application fee, $75 international application fee
• Official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended
• Rťsumť or curriculum vitae
• Three letters of recommendation, at least two of which should be from faculty in the master's program
• A personal statement discussing interest in further study and articulating an issue or problem of interest or concern (approximately 3 pages)
• Writing sample from a master's-level class; alternatively, a 3-5 page response to readings provided by the Curriculum Studies program

Degree Requirements

Students must maintain an overall GPA of 3.0 prior to the completion of 36 credit hours and 3.3 after the completion of 36 credit hours. Students are allowed no more than two grades of "C." Upon receiving a third grade of "C," students must retake the class in which the grade was received. Grades of "D" and "F" require that the course be retaken.

Course Requirements

• Core Courses: 24 quarter hours required
  • A&S 801: Leadership: Theory and Practice (4 quarter hours)
  • CS 704: Curriculum Discourses/Perspectives Over Time (4 quarter hours)
  • CS 751: Curriculum for Human and Community Development (4 quarter hours)
  • SCG 701: Seminar: Philosophy of Education (4 quarter hours)
  • SCG 711: Culture, Power and Education (4 quarter hours)
  • SCG 721: Human Development and the Educational Process (4 quarter hours)
• Research Courses: 12 quarter hours required
  • SCG 775: Foundations of Inquiry and Educational Research (4 quarter hours)
  • Select two subsequent research courses from the following:
    • SCG 735: Quantitative Research Methods I
    • SCG 745: Qualitative Research Methods I
    • SCG 755: Quantitative Research Methods II
    • SCG 765: Qualitative Research Methods II
• Elective Requirement: 4 quarter hours required
  • One elective (4 quarter hours) from a list of approved courses
• Concentration Courses: 20 quarter hours required
  • Choose five courses from a list of approved concentration courses

Additional Endorsement Options

Students choosing to apply to one of the additional endorsement options are required to fulfill specific requirements, including:

• Teacher Leader Endorsement
• Principal Endorsement
• Superintendent Endorsement

Teacher Leader Endorsement

• A copy of a valid Illinois teaching license
• Proof of at least two years of full-time teaching experience
• Evidence of a passing score on the Illinois Test of Academic Proficiency or ACT/SAT equivalent
• Two letters of recommendation from professors or supervisors
• Statement of purpose indicating professional development goals and related experience (750 words)

Principal Endorsement

• A copy of a valid Illinois teaching license
• Proof of at least two years of full-time teaching experience within the last five years
• Evidence of a passing score on the Illinois Test of Academic Proficiency or ACT/SAT equivalent
• One letter from district office recommending entrance into the principal preparation program
• Two letters of recommendation (one from supervisor and one from colleague)
• Statement of purpose indicating why you want to be a principal
• Required interview and on-site writing sample
• Submission of a teaching portfolio

Superintendent Endorsement

• Students must already have the general administrative (K-12) or principal (preK-12) endorsement added to their professional educator license
• Proof of at least two years of full-time administrative experience on a valid administrative license with the general administrative endorsement
• Evidence of a passing score on the Illinois Test of Academic Proficiency or ACT/SAT equivalent

Application Deadlines

The EdS program admits new students every quarter: fall, winter, spring, and summer. Regular deadlines are set for each term to assure students full consideration for admission and financial aid.

• Fall: August 15
• Winter: December 1
• Spring: March 1
• Summer: May 1

Applicants typically receive an admission decision 4-6 weeks after submitting a complete application.