Catalog of Off-Campus Courses

Descriptions of courses offered in the off-campus program in Illinois and Wisconsin are published in the College of Education Catalog of Off-Campus Graduate Education Courses which is issued separately as an extension of this University catalog.

Elective courses are offered according to the campus master schedule and the George Williams College campus in Williams Bay, Wisconsin. Additionally, throughout the year, approximately 900 courses are offered in Illinois and Wisconsin through Aurora University’s strong network of contractual academic partners. The partners include Argonne and Fermi National Laboratories, Adler Planetarium, Morton Arboretum, many of the Regional Offices of Education and other state agencies, and more than 50 participating school districts. Listings of these courses may be obtained from the College of Education.

The Off-Campus Master of Arts in Educational Leadership

Degree requirements for the M.A.E.L. and the Type 75 Certification are similarly met by a combination of residency coursework completed on-campus and/or at off-campus sites. Overall requirements are the same as for the on-campus program (see descriptions in this catalog). NOTE: The M.A.E.L. leads to Illinois Type 75 (administrative) certification for Illinois residents only; candidates who are Wisconsin residents must file for a Wisconsin Code 51 certification.

The Off-Campus Master of Arts in Reading Instruction

The degree requirements for the M.A.R.I. are the same as those for the campus-based program (see descriptions in this catalog). However, at off-campus sites, candidates meet the requirements for their supervised clinical practicum coursework by completing University graduate courses delivered in conjunction with cooperating organizations. Content course requirements are met through on-site intensive courses delivered by full-time and adjunct faculty of the College of Education. Many of the content courses contain field experiences in which candidates are required to implement reading strategies within their classrooms or with tutoring sessions involving a struggling reader.

Meeting Graduation Requirements Off-Campus

A maximum of six (6) semester hours taken as a graduate student-at-large may be applied toward the requirements of the M.A.T., M.A.E.L., or M.A.R.I. degrees. Candidates who may wish to complete any of these credentials are therefore advised to apply for admission as a master’s candidate in the program before the 6-semester hour limit.

All graduate transfer credit from other institutions must be submitted at the time of acceptance into the M.A.T., M.A.R.I., and M.A.E.L. programs. Previous coursework must have been completed within the last five years; a maximum of nine (9) semester hours earned at other regionally-accredited graduate institutions may be transferred and applied to the M.A.T., M.A.R.I., and M.A.E.L. programs at the discretion of the program faculty. Practicum coursework completed at other institutions cannot be transferred toward coursework for degree or certification programs at Aurora University. Once a candidate is admitted to the M.A.T., M.A.R.I. or M.A.E.L. program, a maximum of 18 semester hours earned in each calendar year may be applied toward the degree or certification requirements, including a maximum of 9 semester hours taken during the summer session.

Cohort M.A.T. and M.A.E.L. Degree Programs and Type 75 Certification

This is a complete 36 semester-hour Master’s degree program delivered collaboratively by way of a partnership between Aurora University and an individual school district (or consortium of small districts) to a specified cohort group. Courses are presented at the site by College of Education faculty. An elective field-based component is developed around the strategic needs of the collaborating partner. The required courses of the M.A.T. degree, (seven core courses) are taught by AU faculty. Refer to the general core courses described under Master of Arts in Teaching. The elective courses, developed collaboratively by AU and the school district, provide the field-based component. Characteristics of the elective portion:

• It may incorporate a school district’s entire staff development offerings.
• It may be developed around the district’s school improvement directions.
• It may be derived from the school district’s strategic plan.
• District faculty meeting Aurora University’s requirements for adjunct instructors may fully staff the elective component of the degree.
• The district may arrange for other qualified staff developers to provide elective coursework and/or work with the University to schedule field-based electives taught by AU faculty.

The required courses of the M.A.E.L. degree are designed to meet the Illinois Type 75 state certification requirements and Wisconsin Code 10/51 requirements.

Admission requirements may be modified for cohorts. Entry is dependent upon recommendation of the candidate’s immediate supervisor. Course schedules developed for cohort members must be the equivalent of on-campus class time and conform to on-campus schedules.

Cohort M.A.R.I. Degree Program and Reading Teacher Endorsement

This is a complete 36 semester hour Master’s degree and certification program delivered collaboratively through a partnership formed by Aurora University and an individual school district (or consortium of small districts) to a specified cohort group. The required courses of the M.A.R.I. degree program are instructed by Aurora University faculty. The coursework is designed to meet the Illinois Reading Specialist certification (176) and Wisconsin Reading Teacher licensure. Additional courses in administration are required for Wisconsin candidates to meet the Wisconsin Reading Specialist Administrative requirements. Candidates interested in obtaining the Wisconsin Reading Specialist Administrative licensure should contact the George Williams College campus for further details.

Candidates can take 24 semester hours of designated courses to obtain Reading Teacher endorsement in both Illinois (177) and Wisconsin.

Please Note: The information listed on this page is current according to the 2007-2009 Graduate Catalog, unless otherwise noted.