Frequently Asked Question
Early Childhood Education - Bachelor of Arts
Reading, Early Childhood Education, and Special Education
College of Education

I’m thinking about becoming an early childhood education teacher.  What do I do?

Congratulations!  Roosevelt University will help prepare you to become a teacher of young children.  First of all you should declare Early Childhood Education as your major. 

What are the steps to becoming a certified teacher in Early Childhood Education?

1. Teacher candidates must complete Roosevelt University’s general education requirements.
2. Teacher candidates must take and pass the Illinois Test of Basic Skills. (Passing scores on this test are required prior to enrolling in any education courses.
3. Teacher candidates must complete 18 hours of concentration in one content area.  Nine of those hours may be below the 300 level and 9 hours must be at or above 300 level coursework. 
4. Teacher candidates take 57 credits of professional education courses for certification.  Included within these course requirements are 120 hours of pre-student-teaching field work distributed throughout the program (ECHD 221, ECHD 382, SPED 319, ECHD 332/333, ECHD 337) and a 15-week semester of student teaching.  Students will spend 7 weeks full day in a pre-primary setting and 8 weeks full day in a primary setting. 

What are the GPA requirements for beginning coursework in education?

Students need to have a minimum GPA of 2.5 in order to begin taking education coursework.

Where can I get information about the state tests?

Visit the Illinois Certification Testing System website at www.icts.nesinc.com to learn more. 

I have registered to take the Illinois Test of Basic Skills.  Can I enroll in education courses?

The state requires that we see evidence of passing scores on the Basic Skills exam prior to your enrollment in any education coursework.

Can I take all my classes at the Chicago (Auditorium) or Schaumburg (Albert A. Robin) campus?

We offer all the professional education coursework in ECHD on both campus on alternating semesters.  Your advisor will try to devise a program plan that meets your individual needs.  Roosevelt is one university with two locations and shuttle service between the campuses is provided.  See the information desk attendant at either campus for shuttle details. 

What grades do I need to continue in the program?

Teacher candidates must maintain a 2.5 GPA in the professional education core in order to remain in Roosevelt’s early childhood education.  Further, a student must retake any education class in which he or she earns a grade lower than a C. 

I have just completed my first six credits of education coursework.  Now what?

Upon completion of six credits of education coursework, you must apply for continuance in the Early Childhood Education program.  Your advisor or the administrative assistant in the education office will give you the application. You must have a 2.5 GPS in the professional education core, and you must obtain consent from a faculty member recommending your continuation in the program.  You may not continue registering for education courses until you have received approval to continue. 

What professional dispositions must I demonstrate?

Teaching is a profession unlike any other.  You must cultivate certain characteristics consistent with success in teaching.  We, in the College of Education, have an ethical responsibility to recommend for certification only those candidates who demonstrate appropriate behaviors.  In particular, we expect our students to demonstrate

• Respect for knowledge and learning
  • Dispositions such as curiosity, creativity, confidence, flexibility and attentiveness
     
• A devotion to social justice and global responsibility
  • Dispositions such as compassion, empathy, unselfishness, skepticism, and courage
    

• An active passion for the educator’s craft
  • Dispositions such as enthusiasm, collegiality, self-reliance, professionalism and reflexivity.

How much fieldwork must I do?

The State of Illinois requires a minimum of 100 hours of fieldwork prior to student teaching.  Fieldwork is built into the professional education coursework.  Your instructors in ECHD 221, ECHD 382, SPED 319, ECHD 333 and ECHD 337 will give you more details.

Can I do my fieldwork in my child’s school?

Students may not fulfill a field experience requirement in a school where they are now or have been employed, in a school that they attended, or in a school where a relative is employed. 

I have heard that I need a background check before completing any fieldwork in the public schools.  Is this true?

Every student in the ECHD program must complete a background check through an outside agency contracted by the university.  Background checks are completed on both campuses at the beginning of each semester.  Check with the administrative assistant in the College of Education regarding dates and times. 

Do I need a TB test in order to student teach?

The state requires that all student teachers produce documentation of a negative TB test.  The Office of Field Placement has information on Chicagoland clinics that offer free TB screenings.  To make sure you have a valid test, obtain a TB test the semester prior to student teaching. 

When do I apply for student teaching?

You apply and attend a Student Teaching Information Meeting two academic semesters prior to the semester in which you wish to student teach.  In the fall semester, applications are due on December 1.  In the spring semester, applications are due on April 1.

I want to receive my ECHD Preprimary Special Education Approval.  How can I do that?

An approval is always added onto an initial certificate.  When you apply for your initial certificate (Type04), submit the appropriate paperwork to the state to have the ECHD Preprimary Special Education Approval added to your certificate.  You will have completed the following coursework during your undergraduate program to satisfy the requirements for the approval.  The courses include ECHD 309 Child, Family and Community, ECHD 334 Language Development, ECHD 382 Early Childhood Special Education Methods and ECHD 305 Early Childhood Assessment.

What does the ECHD Preprimary Special Education Approval allow me to do? 

With this approval on your Early Childhood certificate you are qualified to teach children with special needs in preprimary programs in the public school system.