Northern Illinois University
Department of Educational Technology, Research and Assessment
College of Education

K-12 Computer Science Specialist

If you love using – and demonstrating how to use – computers, our M.S.Ed. in Instructional Technology with a K-12 Computer Science endorsement can turn your passion into your career. The fully online curriculum sequence meets the Illinois State Board of Education's credit requirement for obtaining a 5-12 teaching endorsement in computer science, and the coursework is closely aligned with the standards of the K-12 Computer Science Teachers Association. You'll develop your content knowledge while reflecting on and discussing the process of designing, teaching and learning computer science.

Admission Overview

• You must hold a baccalaureate degree (or higher) and an Illinois Professional Educator
• All application materials (application, letters of recommendation, statement of purpose, transcripts) must be uploaded through CollegeNet. Create your own account to get started.

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Course Sequence

Term 1

• ETT 510 - Instructional Media and Technology (3 credits)
• ETT 515* - Intro to K-12 ComputerScience Education ; (3 credits)
• CSCI course in programming (501, 502, or 503) (3 credits) or
  • ETT 536 Web-based Learning

Term 2

• ETT 520* Proseminar in Computational Thinking and Reasoning (3 credits)
• CSCI course in systems (511, 512, or 513) (3 credits) or
  • ETT 537 Introduction to Human Computer Interaction Design (3 credits)

Term 3

• ETT 518* Visual Programming Tools for Children in Education (3 credits)
• ETT 516* Data Analysis and Programming in Education (3 credits)

Term 4

• ETT 517* Cybersecurity in Education (3 credits)
• ETT 538* Developing Educational Software (3 credits)

Term 5

• CSCI course in theory (601, or 602) (3 credits) or
  • ETR 537 Methods of Learning Analytics (3 credits) ETT 569 Practicum (3 credits)
• ETT 587 Comprehensive Exam/Portfolio (1)

* denotes courses used to meet ISBE 5-12 CS advanced endorsement.