This degree track accelerates the professional development of teachers and other educators to understand interconnections among theory, research, and practice. Program participants have the opportunity to understand the latest developments in curriculum and pedagogy, and to design and implement inquiry projects in their own classrooms or other learning environments.

Our Digital Learning concentration centers on the creation and research of digital environments for learning and teaching. This concentration is ideal for students who wish to learn more about the potential of technology in learning environments in formal (e.g., schools) and informal (e.g., museums and after school clubs) settings. The program also provides opportunities to explore out-of-school learning opportunities, such as educational applications, games, and toys.

The Bilingual/Bi-cultural concentration provides all educators with a better understanding of key teaching strategies to help support multilingual students in their classrooms. Students learn research-based curricular and instructional strategies, including using new digital media to effectively teach students for whom English is a second language. This concentration aligns with the course sequence for the Bilingual and ESL Endorsements, designed for Illinois educators who wish to add an endorsement to their Illinois Professional Educator License (PEL).