College of Education & Human Services
School of Education
Undergraduate Programs
- B.S. in Elementary Education (four options)
- Elementary Education (Grade 1-6)
- Early Childhood Education (Birth - Grade 2)
- Elementary Ed. ESL Option (Grade 1-6 & ESL endorsement)
- Elementary Ed. Multilingual Option (Grade 1-6 & ESL and Bilingual endorsements)
- B.S. in Middle Level Education (Grade 5-8)
- B.S. in Special Education and Special Ed/Elementary Ed (Dual)
- B.S. in Educational Studies (non-teacher licensure)
- B.S. in Physical Education
- TESOL Minor
- Paraprofessional Track (Elementary Education, Early Childhood Education, & Special Education)
- Middle Level Literacy Minor
- Educational Studies Minor
Graduate Programs
- Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) - Alternative Licensure
- Master of Science in Education (M.S. Ed.) - Curriculum and Instruction
- Master of Science in Education (M.S. Ed.) - Educational Leadership
- Master of Science in Education (M.S. Ed.) - Educational Studies
- Master of Science in Reading (M.S. Ed.)
- Master of Science in Education (M.S. Ed.) - Special Education
- Education Specialist (Ed. S.) - Educational Leadership and Superintendent Licensure
- Doctorate of Education (Ed. D.) - Educational Leadership- Pre-K
- TESOL Certificate
Licensures, Endorsements, & Certificates
Contact Information
School of Education
Horrabin Hall 115
(309) 298-1183
School of Education
The QC ESL/Bilingual Lounge
WIU Educational Leadership
Resources
In The News!
Tamika Causley, a Master of Arts in Teaching in Special Education student, is in the news!
Click here for the full article by Peoria 25 NEWS (Mar. 15, 2022). Excerpts from the article read: "A longtime Peoria Public Schools employee is seeing her dream of becoming a teacher come true. After years working in various positions at PPS, Tamika Causley will become a PPS teacher next Fall, after making a strong impact on her coworkers and her bosses over the last eight years.
Since 2014, she has worked as a substitute clerk, in the curriculum department and in district communications, among other roles. During her time at PPS, she’s had one main goal. “I need to be a teacher,” Causley said. “This is what I need to do.”
While working at PPS, she went back to school, first receiving her bachelor’s degree. Now, she is working on her master’s degree in Special Education from Western Illinois University.
Congratulations Tamika!
See here for more information on our alternative teacher license program.
Voices of Alumni
It has been 6 years since I graduated with my master's in EIS [now EDS, Educational Studies]. I now have a district-level administrative role that hires, trains, and evaluates all EL teachers in the district. Thank you for all of the foundational skills you taught me during my first graduate-level program. The EIS program at WIU set me on a wonderful trajectory that has pushed me to get additional degrees in administration, making it possible for me to take on this role that will impact the educational services offered throughout 25 schools in our district. Thank you for your dedication to education. You all have truly left a mark. ~ Jessica Marty
WIU Alumna Selected As One of 100 to Participate in Obama Foundation's Leaders Program
Macy Ferguson-Smith, currently a Doctor of Education student in the Organizational Justice, Equity & Inclusion program was recently selected as one of the 100 people from around the world to participate in the Obama Foundation's Leaders program. "As a current student in the Organizational Justice, Equity, and Inclusion track, I believe the cornerstone of education to be community building and connection," Ferguson-Smith said. "Find your people and your community while you're in school. They'll be the folks who see you through so many seasons of life." The Obama Leaders program is a six-month virtual program that connects and supports emerging leaders from various parts of the world, including the United States, Africa, Asia/Pacific, and Europe. The program is centered on a values-based leadership framework inspired by the ideals and legacy of former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama.
Ferguson-Smith, who served as the chair of the city of Quincy's Human Rights Commission from 2018-22, is actively involved in the Quincy Medical Foundation Board. She is also the Senior Advisor for DEI and Health Equity, leading Quincy Medical Group's (QMG) Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion journey.
Tribal School Student Teaching Initiative
Thanks to the efforts and collaboration of many people across the University, last semester we had our very first student teacher participate in the Tribal School Student Teaching Initiative. Adrienne Tinsley, an English Education major, spent time in 3 different Tribal Schools in Wisconsin. This is a video of Adrienne talking about her experience.
For Fall 22 student teachers, the application is due Feb. 1st. It can be found on the Tribal School Student Teaching Initiative page of our website. ALL education majors are invited to apply!
Congratulations!
Sara Russell was named as the Iowa 2022 Teach of the Year! Sara graduated from WIU in December of 2016 with a MSEd in Educational and Interdisciplinary Studies. She devoted her coursework and thesis project to researching multicultural curriculums and created a multicultural American Government course as a result.
Sara remains a valuable resource to WIU as a member of the Program Advisory Committee for the MSEd in Educational Studies and a role model for the teacher education students at WIU-QC.
We are thrilled to see her recognized as the outstanding educator that she is.
Congratulations!
Students in our Master's degree in Reading have applied for and received grant funding!
Marcy Lantz had a grant funded titled "Listen...Learn…and Grow! Headphones for Student Learning." She will receive 96 pairs of headphones for students who do not have them or cannot afford them.
Due to Covid restrictions, students are not allowed to share headphones and must have their own. Although students are provided every day school supplies and bookbags through local organizations, headphones for learning are frequently overlooked and fall on the responsibility of each individual teacher or parent for supplying them. Having quality headphones available to all students will give everyone the opportunity to listen and learn both in the classroom and at home. Congratulations, Marcy!
Quin Bannon received a grant for a set of the book Charlotte's Web for their class and the other 2nd grade class. The grant was for $383. Students will read these books at the end of the school year both in class and at home with their families. Congratulations, Quin!
Danielle Poteshman grant application was fully funded for $6221.00! The project is called Enhancing Literacy in the Classroom. The materials requested will enhance students' experiences in the classroom, including book bags for students to check in and check out books from the classroom library. Also requested were writing notebooks for students' daily 5 centers, and journals, which will help students have something to show over the course of the year. Lastly, students will get new headphones in order to do their daily online programs. Congratulations, Danielle!
Congratulations!
David Mouser, a 2014 graduate of our Educational Leadership doctoral program was selected as the new superintendent of District 87 in Bloomington.
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