Concentrations

At Carthage, students can earn a master's degree in education through evening studies. Carthage offers a 36-credit graduate program in education with 11 specialized concentrations:

Classroom Guidance and Counseling

This program helps classroom teachers develop more effective interpersonal and communication skills as they interact with students in contemporary classroom settings. (The College does not provide licensing as a guidance counselor.)

Education Administration Program (51 Principal License)

Developed by a team of administrators from Kenosha Unified and Racine Unified school districts and the Carthage Education Department, the administration concentration prepares educators for leadership roles as building principals in the K-12 setting. Coursework focuses on site-based management, school law, school finance, and leadership development. Candidates must hold a valid education license, or be licensed as a school counselor, school psychologist or a school social worker, and have at least three years and 540 hours of successful experience in these areas.

Gifted and Talented

The only program of its kind in southeastern Wisconsin and northern Illinois, Carthage's Gifted and Talented concentration prepares teachers to satisfy the needs of the gifted and talented students in their regular classrooms. The concentration explores the learning strategies and curriculum modification for the gifted child. Additionally, teachers may acquire depth of study in an academic discipline. Offered during the summer months, the program is designed to accommodate the professional educator's schedule. This program exceeds the Illinois endorsement requirements.

Language Arts

Courses in written and spoken discourse, normally offered in the English, communication and performing arts, and education departments, cultivate the student's use of language as a reader, writer and speaker. The program also may be designed to lead to the Wisconsin Reading Teacher License No. 316.

Leadership in Teaching

Developed collaboratively by a team of K-12 teachers and administrators and Carthage professors, the Leadership in Teaching concentration prepares educators for leadership roles in site-based management, curriculum development, assessment programs, and data-based decision-making. Innovative coursework on curriculum issues, assessment, professionalism and action research enables teachers to develop professionally as the educational environment continues to change. Participants can complete the Leadership in Teaching program in two years by taking two courses per term. The program's elective course options allow teachers to complete coursework for an additional license or further professional development.

Creative Arts

Courses include art, music and theatre. Students selecting this area must complete a minimum of four courses in one subject area.

Modern Language

Modern language instructors may select courses from education and modern languages.

Natural Science

Students may select courses from biology, chemistry, geography, mathematics or physics.

Religion

This concentration is available to students preparing for careers in education ministry in congregations and in church-related institutions.

Social Science

Courses depend upon the candidate's undergraduate background. Most programs include four courses selected from one of the following areas: criminal justice, economics, geography, history, political science, psychology, social science, or sociology, with the remaining courses selected from among the other social science disciplines.

Special Education

This program leads licensed teachers to a certification in Special Education. With completion of the certification and research sequence, candidates will earn a master's degree with a concentration in special education.

Reading 316 and 317 Licensing

Carthage offers a graduate reading program for licensed educators. The Reading 316 license is for reading teachers working directly with children. The Reading 317 license is the Reading Specialist certification, designed for those who are directly responsible for directing or supervising a reading program in a K-12 setting; this license will require completion of the Reading 316 license. The Carthage reading program usually reciprocates with other states for similar reading licensure programs.