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Graduate and Community Education Programs

There are two important ways in which Rockford University lives out its mission as a liberal arts University that strives to prepare students for fulfilling lives, career, and participation in a modern and changing global society:

  • First, we believe deeply, as we have for more than 169 years, that the best education must be grounded in the firm links between scholarship and engagement in the world. In fact, we argue that education that separates scholarship from engagement, and theory from practice, is not worth pursuing. That radical claim is at the heart of our mission as a University.
  • Second, we also firmly believe that access to education for a lifetime is something that every citizen should expect and pursue. The graduate and community education programs at Rockford University are committed to providing education to members of the community from every walk of life. Whether you are a 10-year-old participating in one of our Center for Learning Strategies programs or a 90-year-old coming back to audit a philosophy course, we welcome you as a fellow traveler in the lifelong journey of learning.

Our graduate and community education programs encompass the following areas:

  • The Online Degree Completion program is for students desiring to finish their undergraduate degree in an online format. Currently, it offers three degree completion programs: the Bachelor of Science in Accounting Studies (BSAS), the Bachelor of Science in Human Services, and the Bachelor of Science in Management Studies (BSMS). Students can work full-time and earn a University degree in approximately 24 months (depending upon the number of credits they have coming in to RU), while attending courses online.  
  • The Master of Business Administration (MBA) at Rockford University is for professionals seeking to gain knowledge that can readily be applied in their workplaces. The MBA is a practitioner-based program emphasizing development of management and leadership competencies – with special emphasis on employer-valued skills such as communication, leadership, and performance development – instead of being highly theoretical. Classes are scheduled with the full-time working adult in mind, and students can choose a general, finance, project management, or healthcare administration concentration.  
  • The Rockford University Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program is designed for students who have previously earned a baccalaureate degree and are interested in obtaining an initial teacher licensure in the state of Illinois.
  • Rockford University offers an initial Professional Educators License (PEL) in the following areas:

    •  Early Childhood Education (Birth to grade 2)

    •  Elementary Education (Grades 1-6) 

    •  Middle Grades Education (Grades 5-8) in Literacy, Mathematics, Social Science, Science

    •  Secondary Education (9-12) in, Biology, Chemistry, Drama/Theatre Arts, English/Language Arts, History, Mathematics

    •  Physical Education (PK-12)

    •  Visual Arts Education (PK-12)

    •  World Language: Spanish Education (PK-12)
    •  Special Education LBS1 (K-22)

  • Please note: students must satisfy current requirements in effect at the time of application for licensure, endorsements, or approvals. In addition, the MAT may be customized for individuals who desire a Master’s degree in the field of education, but choose to work in  settings which do not require a PEL. All MAT programs require completion of a minimum of 33 credits. Degree credits are determined by program requirements.
  • The Rockford University Master of Education (MEd) program is designed for students who have previously earned both a baccalaureate degree and a Professional Educators License (PEL) and are interested in obtaining an advanced degree in the field of education. The MEd degree may be customized to include Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE)-approved coursework leading to one or more endorsements including: English as a Second Language (ESL), Bilingual Education, Special Education (LBSI), Reading Teacher, and Reading Specialist. All MEd programs require completion of a minimum of 36 credits.
  • The Rockford University Master of Education (MEd) program is designed for students who have earned a baccalaureate degree and seek an advanced degree in the field of education. The MEd degree does not lead to Professional Educator licensure in the State of Illinois. However, the degree may be customized to include Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE)-approved coursework leading to endorsements for educators already holding a Professional Educator License (PEL). In addition, the MEd may be customized for those who are not interested in teaching but desire an advanced degree in the field of education to work in related settings which do not require a PEL. All MEd tracks require 36 credits.

For more detailed information about the Graduate and Community Education programs, please visit our website.

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