[Top] The Department of Educational Psychology is accepting applications for CTER OnLine for Spring 2009 admission (Deadline: October 10, 2008; classes begin January 20, 2009).
The College of Education has developed an online Master of Education program focusing on Curriculum, Technology, and Education Reform (CTER). This focus provides practicing teachers with the opportunity to earn a coherent high quality masters degree at home or at their local school through personal computers and Internet connections.

* CTER General Application Information

* For CTER Application Procedures

• Admission Criteria
• Screening Process and Deadline
• Limited Status
• Visual and Hearing Disabilities
• Orientation
• Tuition & Fees
• Financial Aid
• Special instructions for Graduate College Application
• Courses & Dates
• Computer Literacy Requirement
• Minimum PC Requirements
• Information for CTER students
• Expectations for CTER On-line Courses
• Expectations of Technologies
• Internet Service Providers (ISP)
• Credit for Work Completed Elsewhere
• Additional Information
• Return to Application Procedures Step by Step

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[1] Admission Criteria

CTER, together with the Department of Educational Psychology carefully considers all applicants for graduate study. The quality of the applicant's undergraduate and graduate training and grade-point average (GPA) are a primary consideration. Other important factors evaluated include the letters of recommendation and Statement of Purpose: Interest in Technology included with the application. Also if your GPA is under 3.0, the scores on the Graduate Record Examination (suggested but not required) will be considered. Previous educational background and experiences which match the student's goals are also considered.

The current guidelines are:

• Undergraduate grade-point average: 3.0 to 4.0 for the last 2 years of undergraduate work (A=4.0)
• Graduate grade-point average: 3.5 to 4.0 (A = 4.0)

An applicant whose measures fall below the guidelines may be accepted for graduate study when experience, references, or other information strongly suggest that success in a graduate program is highly probable. We strongly suggest that students with GPA scores lower than 3.0 take the GRE.

Meeting baseline standards does not ensure admission. When reviewing applicants, faculty members also consider:

• letters of reference
• the applicant's resume, experience, and professional goals
• the applicant's "goodness of fit" with the program and likelihood of success in obtaining the degree; and,
• the number of students in the program.

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[3] Screening Process and Deadline

To be considered for admission to the program starting in the Spring 2009 semester, applicants must return the completed applications and supporting materials to the following address by October 10, 2008. It is your responsibility to see that all required information is received by the appropriate deadline mentioned above.

Departmental recommendations concerning acceptance or rejection for graduate study to begin for Spring 2009 will be mailed by December 1. International Applicants: Applicants from other countries may want to complete their applications earlier to allow adequate time for processing.

A student who is currently enrolled in college study should not wait until the end of the semester or quarter to have transcripts sent. If the applicant is admitted, the Office of Admissions will request final transcripts.

Letters of reference directed to the department office should be requested at the earliest possible time. Missing transcripts and letters of reference are the main causes of incomplete applications.

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[4] Limited Status

Admission on limited status may be granted to some applicants whose grade point averages do not meet departmental guidelines. If this is the case, all conditions of limited status will be specified. Students must remove all limited status deficiencies within a reasonable period, usually specified, and continued GPAs of less than 3.0 will result in academic probation.

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[5] Visual and Hearing Disabilities

Accommodations are made for students with visual and hearing disabilities.

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[6] Orientation

All students are required to participate in a 3-week online orientation program before the beginning of the first course. For spring students, this online orientation takes place in December. For students starting in Spring 2009, the online orientation will start December 8, 2008. There will be a synchronous meeting following the online orientation for students starting in the Summer. More specific information about the orientation meeting will be sent to students accepted into the program.

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[7] Tuition and Fees

Registration for the CTER courses is handled by the Office of Academic Outreach. Tuition costs and services provided to off-campus students are different than those offered to on-campus students. Tuition and fees per online course for the 2008-2009 academic year are $1,928/course ($482/credit hour = Tuition: $397 + Surcharge: $44 + AO Fee: $41). Students are also responsible for the cost of an Internet provider, textbooks, required hardware and software, and travel and accommodations for any on-campus instruction.

This is a self-supporting program and DOES NOT accept the following tuition and fee waivers (TFWs): Cooperating Teacher waivers, Non-Academic waivers (including UIUC employees and employees of other state institutions), Academic waivers from UIUC, UIC and UIS employees, Related Agency waivers, Field Supervisor waivers or Retiree waivers. This program DOES accept statutory waivers (veterans grants, etc) and waivers granted through fellowships/assistantships as governed by the Graduate College at UIUC. The waiver policy above is subject to moderate changes in accordance with the actions of the University of Illinois Board of Trustees.

Please see News: College of Ed -- a Best Buy

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[8] Financial Aid

Students must be enrolled at least 6 credit hours for Spring and Fall semesters and at least 3 credit hours in the Summer semester to be eligible to request for financial aid. CTER courses are 4 credit hours each with the exception of Math courses (1 to 4 credit hours).

You will find more information also in the Academic Outreach page of Financial Aid Services for Term-based Course students .

CTER students eligible for financial aid should complete a FAFSA form online at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/ or call the financial aid office at 1-800-252-1360 ex. 3-0100.

GetEducated.com's $1,000 Excellence in Online Education Scholarships
Awarded annually by the educators at GetEducated.com, a consumer advocacy group that rates, ranks and verifies the credibility of online colleges.

Eligibility Requirements: Must be a U.S. citizen enrolled in an accredited online degree program located in the USA with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0

To Apply: Download and application Write a 500-word essay: "What a College Degree Means to Me" Attach a copy of your most recent grade transcript Attach a copy of your most recent FAFSA (or your 1040 tax return) Deadline for Receipt: October 15 Recipients will be chosen and notified by December 1 each year http://www.geteducated.com/services/scholarships.asp

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[9] Special Instructions for Graduate College Application

Please include the following information on the Graduate College Application:

• Admission Term: Select Spring 2009
• Planned Course of Study: Educational Psychology--10KS0210EDMU
• Note: Please indicate that your studies will initiate "Off Campus" and indicate CTER in the "Field of Specialization".

Information regarding courses and admission to the Curriculum, Technology, and Education Reform specialization is available at: http://cter.ed.uiuc.edu or you may contact any one of the following staff members:

• Questions regarding the CTER program: Doe Kim (217) 244-3315
• Questions regarding the application process: Helen Katz (217) 333-5242

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[10] Courses and Dates

The Master of Education (Ed.M.) degree requires eight units of coursework. For CTER Online, there are five required and three elective courses. Some of these courses are offered in sequence during six academic semesters. Summer courses are 4 or 8-week courses and spring & fall courses are 16-week long. Any deviation from this sequence would require prior written approval. Descriptions of all courses offered in an online format are located here.

• Required Courses

  4 hours	EPSY 457	Computer Use in Education
  4 hours	EPSY 556	Analysis of Advanced Instructional Technologies
  4 hours	EPSY 490OL or EPSY 407	Issues & Developments in Educational Psychology: Learning & Classroom Management or Adult Learning and Development
  4 hours	EPS 415	Information Technology Ethics
  4 hours	EPSY 474	Evaluating Learning Technology

  
  

• Elective Courses

  4 hours	EPSY 590 ASA	Issues in Traditional and Alternative Student Assessment
  4 hours	EPSY 590 NET	Networks for Learning
  4 hours	EPSY 590 TER	Technology & Educational Reform
  2 or 4 hours	Math Teacher Link	Courses for Math & Science Teachers
  2 or 4 hours	Library & Information Science	Courses from LIS Department
  4 hours	EPSY 590 CTR	Teachers and Technology
  4 hours	C&I 407	Developing Online Based Instruction

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[11] Computer Literacy Requirement

All students enrolled in the CTER Online courses are expected to have elementary knowledge of a microcomputer operating system and basic knowledge of software tools including word processing, electronic mail and web browsers.

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[12] Minimum Hardware, Software, and Network Connectivity Requirements

- Power Macintosh (PPC-based G4, G5, Intel-based) or IBM compatible Pentium or equivalent (available BOTH at home and at work)

• Minimum 512MB RAM
• CD-ROM drive
• Mac OS X (10.4 or higher recommended) -OR- Windows XP or Vista for PC. Windows ME, 98, and 95 are not supported.
• 56K modem, cable modem, or DSL connection (cable internet or DSL strongly recommended)
• Internet provider for home access (must have prior to start of program)
• Sound card, microphone, and speakers (or headset w/mic)
• Firefox 2, Internet Explorer 6.0 or higher version
• Email software (Eudora, Outlook, or other)
• Ability to be on-line for a minimum of 20 hrs/week
• Click here for more information on technical requirements

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[13] Information for Students in the CTER On-Line Master of Education Program

Three types of Master's degrees are available in Educational Psychology. The Master of Arts (A.M.) and Master of Science (M.S.) degree programs are for the student who has research interests in education. These candidates often enter the programs with the intent of eventually pursuing a doctoral program leading to the Ph.D. degree. The Master of Education (Ed.M.) degree program is designed to meet the academic and professional interests of a person working in the educational field. The major difference between these three programs is the requirement that a master's thesis is not completed and defended as part of the Ed.M. degree.

Teachers, administrators, and technology coordinators are now offered the option of pursuing a Master of Education (Ed.M.) degree in the areas of Curriculum, Technology, and Education Reform in an on-line format. This program is not solely a professional development program. The courses have been put together to offer hands-on technology training that will enable education professionals to integrate technology into their classrooms, and to enhance students' understanding about new technologies and how they impact our society. All students admitted to an Ed.M. degree program must complete a minimum of 32 hours. Eight of the 32 hours include courses in psychological foundations of learning and social and philosophical foundations of education. The remaining 24 hours include courses related to different aspects of educational technology.

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[14] Expectations for CTER On-line Courses

CTER students begin the program with a 3-week online orientation program. Each CTER on-line course includes a combination of synchronous and asynchronous activities. Since the majority of students enrolled in the on-line courses are working professionals, every attempt will be made to schedule any synchronous activities in the evenings or on weekends. Synchronous activities can include, but are not limited to, on-line chats, real-time audio & video mini-lectures, or discussions. In addition to the online materials, students use textbooks, course packs, and other materials. Some textbooks (when available) may be checked out of the University's Academic Outreach library system.

Each course varies in the amount of on-line synchronous and asynchronous activities. Failure to participate in these meetings may affect the participation portion of your grade.

Final course grades are based on a combination of individual and group assignments and participation in the course. Each instructor sets his or her own standards for evaluating student work and includes the grading procedure in the on-line syllabus.

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[15] Expectations of Technologies Used for On-Line Courses

We will introduce some of the latest advances in technology used in education. With technology changing so rapidly, please understand that you may be asked to upgrade your computer system or modem during the course of our program.

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[16] Internet Service Providers (ISP)

Our on-line courses currently use Moodle and Elluminate. If you have problems participating in CTER activities through your current Internet service provider, we suggest that you find another alternative. Our technical support staff will be happy to assist you in locating an ISP in your area.

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[17] Credit for Work Completed Elsewhere

A Master of Education candidate may petition to transfer up to 12 hours of graduate credit earned at other universities to apply toward the 32-hours requirement. Official transcript(s) must be attached to the petition if not previously filed in the Graduate College. Work involved must be at the graduate level and must have been completed within the last five years with grades of A or B. A petitioner must first have completed at least 8 hours at UIUC. For more information, refer to the Graduate Programs Handbook on-line at http://www.ed.uiuc.edu/COE/IPO/.

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[18] Additional Information

Additional information regarding admission to the Graduate College can be obtained on the Web at: http://www.grad.uiuc.edu or by writing to: Graduate Admissions, 801 S. Wright, Champaign 61820, gradadmissions@illinois.edu.

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..[19] Mailing Address
The documentation that is not submitted online should be mailed to:
CTER OnLine Admissions
Department of Educational Psychology
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
226 Education Building
1310 South Sixth Street
Champaign, IL 61820-6990

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