Program Overview

Teacher Education Program

The Teacher Education Program (TEP) at the University of Illinois Springfield offers a comprehensive range of courses designed to prepare students for a career in teaching. The program is committed to providing students with a strong foundation in education, as well as the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in the classroom.

Course Descriptions

The TEP offers a variety of courses, including:

• TEP 189: Athletics and the American University
  • This course explores the intersection of athletics and education in the American university system.
• TEP 202: Introduction to Teaching as Service
  • This course introduces students to the concept of teaching as a service and provides opportunities for students to engage in service-learning projects.
• TEP 207: Foundations of American Education
  • This course provides an introduction to the history and philosophy of education in the United States.
• TEP 211: Wellness for Elementary Teachers
  • This course focuses on topics related to health, safety, and well-being for elementary school teachers.
• TEP 212: Mathematics for Elementary School Teachers
  • This course surveys mathematical content and pedagogical methods for teaching mathematics in elementary school settings.
• TEP 222: Child and Adolescent Development for Teachers
  • This course introduces students to the principles of child and adolescent development and their application to teaching and learning.
• TEP 223: Adolescent Development for Teachers
  • This course explores the physical, emotional, and social development of adolescents and their implications for teaching and learning.
• TEP 224: Survey of Exceptional Children in Schools
  • This course examines the personal and societal views of disability and ableism and their impact on the education of exceptional children.
• TEP 227: Educational Psychology for Teachers
  • This course introduces students to the psychological principles and theories relevant to teaching and learning.
• TEP 261: Introduction to Music Education
  • This course introduces students to the theories and practices of music education.
• TEP 301: Induction into Teacher Education
  • This course provides an orientation to the teacher education program and assists students in completing required trainings and background checks.
• TEP 305: Technology for Teaching
  • This course provides educators with the skills and knowledge needed to effectively integrate technology into their teaching practices.
• TEP 315: Classroom Community and Belonging
  • This course focuses on the principles and practices of building classroom community and promoting student belonging.
• TEP 318: Curriculum Theory and Development
  • This course introduces students to the major curriculum theories and strategies for curriculum development.
• TEP 321: Assessment with Early Childhood and Elementary Students
  • This course examines the use of assessment practices and strategies to improve student learning in early childhood and elementary settings.
• TEP 330: Topics in English Education
  • This course explores the methods and strategies of teaching English language arts in middle and high school settings.
• TEP 335: Teaching Middle and Secondary Grades Geography and Interdisciplinary Social Studies
  • This course provides students with a deeper understanding of teaching geography and interdisciplinary social studies in middle and secondary grades.
• TEP 405: Teaching and Assessment in the Middle School
  • This course surveys the latest research and practice in middle school pedagogy and assessment.
• TEP 415: Teaching and Assessment in Secondary Schools
  • This course surveys the latest research and practice in high school pedagogy and assessment.
• TEP 419: Content Area Literacy Methods
  • This course introduces students to the principles and practices of teaching literacy in content areas.
• TEP 422: Early Childhood and Elementary Literacy and Writing Methods
  • This course surveys the methods and strategies of teaching literacy and writing in early childhood and elementary settings.
• TEP 423: Methods of Elementary Reading and Language Arts
  • This course introduces students to the major methods of teaching reading and language arts in elementary school settings.
• TEP 424: Early Childhood and Elementary Math Methods
  • This course surveys the methods and strategies of teaching mathematics in early childhood and elementary settings.
• TEP 425: Methods of Elementary Social Studies and Humanities
  • This course introduces students to the methods and strategies of teaching social studies and humanities in elementary school settings.
• TEP 426: Methods of Elementary Science
  • This course surveys the major methods of teaching science in elementary school settings.
• TEP 431: Topics in Mathematics for Middle and Secondary Teachers
  • This course explores the pedagogical content and methods of teaching mathematics in middle and secondary schools.
• TEP 435: English Methods for Middle and Secondary Grades
  • This course examines the methods of teaching English language arts in middle and high school settings.
• TEP 436: Mathematics Methods for Middle and Secondary Grades
  • This course introduces students to the methods of teaching mathematics in middle and high school settings.
• TEP 437: Science Methods for Middle and Secondary Grades
  • This course examines the methods of teaching science in middle and high school settings.
• TEP 438: Social Studies Methods for Middle and Secondary Grades
  • This course introduces students to the methods of teaching social studies in middle and high school settings.
• TEP 448: Student Teaching Seminar
  • This course provides a seminar experience for students engaged in student teaching.
• TEP 449: Middle Grade and High School Student Teaching Seminar
  • This course provides a seminar experience for students engaged in student teaching in middle and high school settings.
• TEP 450: ECCE: Student Teaching
  • This course provides an internship experience for students in the teacher education program.
• TEP 451: ECCE: Student Teaching - Middle Grade and High School
  • This course provides an internship experience for students in the teacher education program in middle and high school settings.
• TEP 461: Historical Foundations of Education
  • This course explores the historical foundations of education in the United States.
• TEP 475: Cultural Studies and Identity in Education
  • This course examines the complexities of schooling and identity in diverse cultural contexts.
• TEP 481: Perspectives on Child Maltreatment and Advocacy
  • This course introduces students to the issues and perspectives related to child maltreatment and advocacy.
• TEP 482: Global Child Advocacy Studies
  • This course explores the global perspectives and issues related to child advocacy.
• TEP 483: The System's Response to Child Maltreatment
  • This course examines the responses of professionals to allegations of child maltreatment.
• TEP 491: Educational Studies Senior Seminar
  • This course provides a capstone experience for students in the educational studies program.
• TEP 499: Independent Study
  • This course provides an opportunity for students to engage in independent study and research.
• TEP 501: Overview of Online Instruction
  • This course introduces students to the principles and practices of online instruction.
• TEP 502: Technology Tools for Online Learning
  • This course explores the technology tools used to build and deliver online courses.
• TEP 503: Instructional Design for Online Course Development
  • This course introduces students to the principles of instructional design for online course development.
• TEP 504: Universal Design Principles for Online Learning
  • This course explores the principles of universal design for online learning.
• TEP 505: Student Assessment in Online Courses
  • This course introduces students to the strategies and tools for assessing student learning in online courses.
• TEP 506: Encouraging Communication in Online Courses
  • This course provides insight into the methods for structuring online courses to maximize student communication and interaction.
• TEP 507: Blended Learning Instruction and Design
  • This course introduces students to the principles and practices of blended learning instruction and design.
• TEP 508: Practicum
  • This course provides students with an opportunity to develop and refine their skills in online course design and instruction.

Program Requirements

The TEP has several requirements, including:

• Completion of a minimum of 40 credit hours
• A GPA of 2.5 or higher
• Completion of all required courses and field experiences
• Departmental approval for student teaching and internship experiences

Admission Criteria

Admission to the TEP requires:

• Completion of a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
• A GPA of 2.5 or higher
• Completion of all required prerequisite courses
• Departmental approval

Research Areas

The TEP has several research areas, including:

• Teacher education and development
• Curriculum and instruction
• Educational psychology and learning
• Special education and diversity
• Technology and online learning

Conclusion

The Teacher Education Program at the University of Illinois Springfield provides students with a comprehensive education in teaching and learning. The program offers a range of courses, field experiences, and research opportunities designed to prepare students for a career in teaching. With its strong focus on teacher education and development, the TEP is an excellent choice for students who are passionate about teaching and learning.