The Saint Xavier University School of Education offers the master of arts degree with programs of study that prepare candidates to assume responsibilities in teaching and/or leadership. Such preparation integrates theory and clinical experiences in institutions or agencies, enabling graduates to function effectively as humane, and liberally educated leaders in a variety of settings.
The conceptual framework of the School of Education of Saint Xavier University provides a structure and process to prepare candidates for the education profession. The School of Education seeks to recruit and support the development of diverse candidates who are dedicated to the pursuit of excellence as scholars, lifelong learners, leaders and reflective professionals. The logo of the School of Education also incorporates the cross from the shield of Saint Xavier University to acknowledge the Mission and Strategic Directions of the University and the Core Values from the founding Sisters of Mercy. Caring, capable and highly qualified faculty personify those attributes in the community of Saint Xavier University and in the profession of education, and direct the candidates' progress in the acquisition of the relevant knowledge, skills and dispositions.
Programs of Study
The Saint Xavier University School of Education offers the master of arts degree in education through the following areas of concentration: educational administration and supervision, counseling, curriculum and instruction, multicategorical special education, reading, early childhood education, elementary education, teaching and leadership and secondary education. The program in Teaching and Leadership (a field-based program) is available to in-service teachers at selected sites throughout northern and central Illinois and southern Wisconsin.
The Certificate Program in Advanced Studies is available for those candidates who have earned a master's degree and who wish to do further graduate work without commitment to another degree program. A program of studies specific to the needs of a candidate or a group of candidates is developed and leads to a Certificate of Advanced Studies upon completion of the program.
In addition to degree programs, candidates with a valid Illinois teaching certificate may pursue coursework leading to the addition of an approval to the certificate. Coursework is available for approvals in the following areas: English-as-a-second language (ESL) and bilingual education. Candidates may also pursue a middle grades endorsement.
Models of Program Delivery
The School of Education employs three models to deliver its graduate programs: the traditional model, the cohort model, and the field-based model. The traditional model, available to candidates in the Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Secondary Education, Community Agency Counseling, School Counseling, and the Curriculum and Instruction Programs, permits candidates to schedule program requirements at a self-selected pace, enrolling in required courses as they are offered in the schedule. The cohort model is available to candidates in the following degree programs: educational administration and supervision, reading, multicategorical special education, secondary and elementary education. In this model, candidates begin the program together and progress through the course requirements as a group. Classes meet one evening per week for four and a half hours during the fall and spring terms, including eight sessions for each course. During the summer term, classes meet twice each week for four and a half hours for each of the 5-week summer sessions. Candidates in cohort programs have guaranteed course availability each term. Cohort programs offer the additional advantage of tuition reduction and the availability of flexible payment plans. Cohort programs are offered at the Chicago, Orland Park, and off-site campuses. The field-based model is available to in-service school personnel who wish to pursue a degree under conditions convenient to practicing educators. It is available at selected sites throughout northern and central Illinois and southern Wisconsin and leads to a master of arts degree.
Administration
B. Gulley, Dean; M. Fallahi, Associate Dean of Graduate Studies; C. Tolson, Associate Dean and NCATE Coordinator; L. Sondler, Director of Teacher Education; W. Manning, Director of Off-Campus Programs; T. Halloran, Director of the Teaching and Leadership Program (FBMP); P. Castellanos, Director of Counseling Program; W. Connolly, Director of Clinical Practice; L. Applegate, Coordinator of Field Experiences; M. Coffey, Assistant to the Dean.
Faculty and Clinical Staff
C. Ahrens, C. Barrett, D. Bell, M. Bridges, J. Briody, L. Burke, M. Campbell, M. Carroll, T. Dodson, M. Fallahi, A. George, B. Gulley, J. Hansen, P. Hartwig, P. Hilton, A. Jones, T. Korenman, E. Knight, E.S. Lee, S. Leu, J. Lundin, H. Mackley, J. Muhm, J. Panko, J. Rabbitt, R. Rohlwing, D. Ryan, M. Ryan, M. Spelman, W. Stone, E. Thomas, S. Wright, L. Zhao.
Admission to the School of Education
Individuals seeking admission to a graduate program must complete a Graduate Student Application, which is available from the Office of Graduate Admission. The director of Admission for the University will evaluate the completed application file, and the file along with an admission recommendation will be forwarded to the School of Education. An Admission Committee including the dean of the School of Education and the associate dean of Graduate Studies and other selected faculty or professionals from the School of Education will review the file and inform the prospective candidate of the admission decision. Admitted students will be assigned an advisor in the School of Education who will review program requirements and offer assistance with registration and academic issues. Graduate students are responsible for monitoring their programs of studies to ensure that requirements for graduation and certification are met. Either the associate dean of Graduate Studies at the Chicago campus or the director of Off-Campus Programs for the School of Education at the Orland Park campus will be assigned as advisors to students admitted to the cohort programs. The respective associate dean or director will register students in cohort courses each semester.
Individuals who have not been denied admission to the School of Education and who do not wish to enroll in a cohort or field-based program may enroll for graduate courses as students-at-large with the permission of the associate dean of Graduate Studies and upon verification of completed undergraduate work by the Graduate Admission Office. Courses taken in this capacity do not guarantee admission into a graduate program. However, appropriate courses (a maximum of 12 credits) may be applied to a graduate program. Courses completed five or more years prior to admission will not be accepted for degree requirements. Students interested in enrolling in a cohort program or the field-based program may not register in courses as students-at-large.
Individuals seeking a master's degree with Type 09 certification in secondary education at the School of Education must have a degree in the subject are of certification. Graduate students seeking secondary certification must also pass the Illinois Content Area Test before being fully admitted to the School of Education. All graduate students seeking certification in elementary, secondary, early childhood, and multicategorical special education must pass the Illinois Test of Basic Skills as an admission requirement.
Applicants for the programs in counseling must meet the additional requirements specific to the counseling programs:
- A two-page typed statement describing reasons for wanting to become a professional counselor, any relevant experiences in counseling, and examples of important events that have influenced the applicant's career goals. This statement will also be reviewed as an example of your written communication skills.
- Completed recommendations from three persons (former instructors, supervisors, colleagues) who are qualified to evaluate the applicant's academic and professional potential in the field of counseling.
- A cumulative grade-point average of 2.75.
- Results of the TOELFL test on non-native English- speaking applicants.
- Affidavit of Support (non-U.S. citizens only).
- Interview with graduate faculty admission committee.
- Experience in the mental health field (community counseling) or in the education field (school counseling), either through a practicum course, volunteer activities or work experience.
- Proof of passing the Illinois Test of Basic Skills (candidates have to at least submit proof of registration to be considered for admission).
Transfer of Credit
A maximum of six (6) semester-hours of graduate credit from other accredited institutions taken prior to admission to graduate work at Saint Xavier University may be considered for acceptance for graduate program requirements. Students may obtain a Petition for Evaluation and Transfer of Graduate Credit from the associate dean of Graduate Studies in the School of Education. The associate dean will evaluate the request based on the following:
- Level of the coursework,
- Grade in the course,
- When the course was successfully completed,
- A review of the course description and/or syllabus.
If a student has taken a course at the undergraduate level, that course may be considered for acceptance as an equivalency for certification. The student is required to take a 500-level course to replace it. Courses taken at the undergraduate level will not be accepted as equivalency for any 500-level courses. Graduate students in the School of Education will not be given credit for life experience. Once a student is admitted to the School of Education, he or she may take a course at another institution only with special permission from the dean of the School of Education. All graduate students in the School of Education in programs that lead to certification must successfully pass the core assessments and the benchmarks required by each program.
Dismissal from the Graduate Programs
Graduate candidates in the School of Education may be dismissed from a program for the following reasons: grade-point Average (below 3.00); Academic Dishonesty; Violation of Professional Dispositions; failure to successfully complete program benchmarks; and results of the criminal background investigation. Additional reasons not herein described may also result in dismissal. For further details, please refer to the Graduate Studies Handbook.
Saint Xavier University 2008-2009 Catalog
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