Frequently Asked Questions
Early Childhood Education M.A.
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’s graduate program in ECHD will help prepare you to become a teacher of young children and complete a MAE degree.  Contact Graduate Admissions at 312-341-3515 in Chicago or at 847-619-8600 in Schaumburg for admission requirements and application procedures. 

What grades will I be qualified to teach with an Early Childhood certificate?

The Type 04 certificate in ECHD prepares you to teach children from birth through 3rd grade.

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

1. A review of the teacher candidate’s bachelor degree will be completed to determine if the candidate has met Roosevelt University’s general education requirements.  An admission’s counselor will identify any general education course deficiencies. 
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. Graduate teacher candidates take 41 credits of professional education courses for certification.  Included within these course requirements are 100 hours of pre-student-teaching field work distributed throughout the program (ECHD 438, SPED 419, ECHD 433, ECHD 437) 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. 
4. Teacher candidates must pass two additional state tests:
   • Content area test in early childhood education (must be passed prior to student teaching)
   • Assessment of Professional Teaching (APT) (must be passed prior to certification)

What are the GPA requirements for beginning coursework in education?

Teacher candidates need to have a minimum GPA of 2.7 in order to begin taking education coursework.  Teacher candidates need to maintain a 3.0 GPA in their professional education coursework.  Further, a student must retake any education course in which he or she earns a grade lower than a C. 

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.

I completed a graduate course at another university. Can I apply that toward my certification from Roosevelt University?

Up to six hours of graduate credit, which has been earned at another accredited college, may be transferred to the ECHD program under certain circumstances.  The credit must be earned prior to matriculation at Roosevelt University, and it must be for course work related to the program.  You must request transfer credit during the initial advising appointment in the College of Education and submit an official transcript showing the graduate course work. 

How long will it take for me to complete the graduate program and become a certified teacher?

Students who take two courses each semester are able to complete the entire program in two years including student teaching.  You are able to accelerate or slow down your program depending on your individual needs.  You would need to consult your advisor concerning your individual options.

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 campuses on alternating semesters.  Your advisor will 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 need to maintain a 3.0 GPA in their professional education coursework.  Only two grades of C are allowed for continuation in the program. Further, a student must retake any education course 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 web address for completing your on-line application.   You must have a 3.0 GPA 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 438, SPED 419, ECHD 433 and ECHD 437 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 graduate program to partially satisfy the requirements for the approval.  The courses include ECHD 409 Child, Family and Community, ECHD434 Language Development, and ECHD 405 Early Childhood Assessment.  In addition to these three courses, you will need to take ECHD 482 Early Childhood Special Education Methods before applying for the approval.

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.