Master of Arts in Latin American Literatures and Cultures

at Northeastern Illinois University USA

Environmental Studies is an applied major designed to give students knowledge of and the ability to develop solutions to environmental problems. Students can focus on one of two areas:

• Environmental policy and planning, or
• Environmental interpretation / education.

Students in option 1 investigate the causes, results, and solutions to environmental problems from a policy perspective. They study regulations influencing environmental protection and degradation; they also gain practical skills useful in the field.

Students in option 2 specialize in community interaction and will qualify for careers as naturalists with parks and other outdoor agencies and as environmental educators in schools and non-profit organizations.

The program culminates with an internship experience in which the student applies knowledge, gains practical experience; it often constitutes a first job in an environmental career. To earn a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies, students must complete 24 credit hours of core requirements and 18 credit hours of approved electives. Up to nine hours of credit from other relevant fields may be accepted toward the major, with advisor approval.

This program provides graduate education for students planning careers in industry, business, teaching or planning additional graduate work or professional studies.  Four options in the program are available, the Separation Science Emphasis, the Business-Oriented Separation Science Emphasis, the General Program Emphasis, and the Chemical Education Emphasis. Students in the program can follow the Separation Science Emphasis in order to be prepared for careers in pharmaceutical, cosmetics, nutrients, and food industries. The Business-Oriented Separation Science Emphasis enhance the educational experience of the Separation Science chemists beyond what could be achieved if the Separation Science and the Business Administration were pursued independently.  It serves those who would like to advance into management positions. The General Program Emphasis prepares students to enter professional schools or to continue further graduate work in chemistry. The Chemical Education Emphasis serves in-service middle and high school teachers who attained a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and hold a teaching certification/license to become highly qualified teachers trained in advanced chemistry and pedagogical content knowledge of teaching science in secondary schools. They will also be well prepared to conduct research in the area of Chemical Education or teach at 2-year colleges.

Political Science is central to an understanding of all basic social issues and is one of the most popular liberal arts majors. A political science education gives people the ability to understand the workings of politics and the way it impacts the lives of all of us. A major in this field helps students develop skills of understanding and analysis, and builds competence in oral and written expression. Graduates go on to careers in law, business, journalism, teaching, and government.

The Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies (BAIS) is a degree completion program designed to meet the undergraduate needs of experienced adults in a manner compatible with career and family responsibilities.  Students complete graduation requirements through an alternative, self-paced approach to higher education.

The Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies (BAIS) is a degree completion program designed to meet the needs of adult and experiential learners, in a manner compatible with career and family responsibilities. Students complete graduation requirements through an integrative, self-paced approach to higher education.

Interdisciplinary Studies students design a unique curriculum based on personal interests, career, or academic goals. These options include:

• a second academic major
• an academic minor
• an Interdisciplinary Studies Concentration

Northeastern Illinois University offers the Master of Arts in Educational Leadership degree.

• School Leadership (PreK-12);

Program objectives for the concentrations have been designed to develop exemplary administrative leaders and to foster their continuing growth and effectiveness. Specifically, students in the School Leadership (PreK-12) concentration develop competencies related to effective leadership, educational management practices, and staff development at the school level. This concentration leads to The State of Illinois Principal Endorsement.

This Master’s program prepares professionals who will be responsible for the training, education, and development of employee adults in organizations involved in business, health care, human services, and government. The program has been developed especially for those wishing to move into HRD field in a management or planning capacity, as well as for current practitioners desiring more formal training.

The program is designed to develop the ability to:

• Assess the nature of performance problems;
• Apply needs and task/content analysis techniques;
• Assess the relevant characteristics of learners/trainees;
• Design training, education, and instructional programs for adult learners/trainees;
• Determine the effectiveness of training/education/instructional programs;
• Communicate and interact effectively with groups and individuals;
• Consult with managers to address employee and organizational development needs;
• Manage human resource development projects and programs;
• Work effectively across an organization in order to plan, develop and implement performance improvement.

The master's degree program in gerontology is a multidisciplinary degree intended to provide both breadth and depth in the study of aging. The required portion of the 36 credit program consists of three parts: The classroom component consists of seven required courses (21 credits), the experiential component consists of an internship (3 credits) and the capstone component involves a thesis (3 credits). In addition to the internship, a practicum is required for those students who do not have prior experience in the field. The thesis may be in basic or applied research or may be a theoretical integration of a topic area.

The combination of required and elective courses prepares graduates to assume positions of responsibility in direct service, administration, social policy, and research with, or on behalf of, older people.

By design the program is part-time, with courses offered in the evening and Saturdays. A student may complete all but the thesis in three academic years by enrolling in one course in the first semester and two courses each semester thereafter. The thesis is the final course and is usually taken after all classroom work is completed.

Students enrolled in this Music major will earn the Bachelor of Music (B.M.) in Performance or Education.

Enrolled students choose an emphasis:

• Vocal performance
• instrumental performance
• K-12 music education: vocal
• K-12 music education: instrumental

Programs in Urban Community Studies (UCS) are offered at the Jacob H. Carruthers Center for Inner City Studies (CCICS), 700 East Oakwood Boulevard, 60653, in the heart of Chicago's historic Bronzeville community. The scholar/activist thrust is the overriding entity that drives the community and academic programming of the programs of the Carruthers Center.

The Programs in Urban Community Studies, through the Goodwin College of Education, offer the following degrees:

• Bachelor of Arts in Urban Community Studies
• Minor in Urban Community Studies
• Master of Arts in Urban Community Studies

The Urban Community Studies undergraduate program seeks to introduce undergraduate students to the social, cultural, political and economic forces that impact urban communities. It reflects the ongoing trends and developments that continue to be a part of the changing demographics of the city so that students become equipped with understanding the complexity, diversity, and history associated with urban spaces. UCS seeks to prepare students to acquire employment in the broad fields of social and human services including community organizations, alternative educational programs such as charter schools, contract schools, after school programs, and mentorship programs aimed at improving the condition of urban youth. This is not a teacher preparation program and does not lead to licensure.
Specific Goals of the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Urban Community Studies

• Identify, deconstruct, and decode the existing socio-economic forces that influence Urban Community structures.
• Examine the literature, scholarship, social movements, and activism associated with understanding Urban Community issues.
• Identify and analyze culturally relevant models to navigate dilemmas faced in the Urban Community.
• Prepare UCS  majors to pursue graduate degrees in Urban Community Studies and other related fields.

The major requires a set of six required Biology courses (including a cornerstone course, BIO-150), five elective courses in Biology, a capstone course in Biology, and a set of cognate courses in Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics. As such, the curriculum provides broad training in the sciences, allows for students to take a sequence of courses that fit their particular interests within Biology and allows students to prepare themselves for specific careers in Biology.

Students who are seeking to be licensed to teach Biology in secondary schools should consult with both an advisor in Biology and an advisor in the Goodwin College of Education.

Students interested in pursuing graduate studies are strongly encouraged to take one year each of organic chemistry and calculus, and a course in statistics.

Students who are planning to pursue professional training in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy and other health professions should contact the professional schools to which they intend to apply in order to determine their specific program requirements. Students should also consult regularly with an advisor in Biology to ensure that they take an appropriate set of elective courses. Finally, these students can receive guidance on recommended courses, graduate-school test preparation and the application process from the Coordinator of Student Services in the Office of the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences as well as the Student Center for Science Engagement.