Frequently Asked Questions
Secondary Education - Master of Arts
Secondary Education | College of Education

I already have a bachelor’s degree, and I’m thinking about becoming a high-school  teacher. What should I do?

Congratulations on taking the first step toward making a real difference in the life of an adolescent! Roosevelt’s graduate program in Secondary Education (SEED) leads to certification and the Master of Arts degree. Contact Graduate Admissions (312-341-3515 in Chicago; 847-619-8600 in Schaumburg) for admission requirements and application procedures.

In what subjects does Roosevelt offer secondary certification course work?

Roosevelt University has secondary certification programs in English, social studies, mathematics, biology, chemistry, and business.

Can I get my certification in a year?

Sorry, no. We take your future success as a teacher seriously. We have found that adequate preparation for a professional career in education takes a commitment of no less than three academic semesters (18 months). Summer sessions are not considered an academic semester.

What are the steps in getting certified?

1.  First, students must show that they have a bachelor’s degree in the subject they wish to teach from a regionally accredited college or university. If the student is interested in an area of certification that is not related to her or his major, a plan of study is developed to match the degree offered at Roosevelt University. A student is welcome to take course work towards gaining equivalence to major at the same time that she or he is taking course work in the professional program, but it is essential that a student enter the program with a solid foundation in the academic subject area that they will be certified in to gain full advantage of the instruction. Within the bachelor’s degree, students must show that they have successfully completed the specific content courses required by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) and the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).

2.  Students must also show that they have successfully completed Roosevelt University’s general education requirements.

3.  Students must show that they have passed the Illinois Test of Basic Skills. (Passing scores on this test are required prior to enrolling in any education courses.)

4.  Students then take 26 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 (SEED 401, SEED 450, and SPED 419) and a 15-week semester of student teaching. (To complete the master’s degree, students must take an additional 6 credits.)

5.  Students must pass two additional state tests:

• Content-Area Test (must be passed prior to student teaching)
• Assessment of Professional Teaching (must be passed prior to certification)

Where can I get information about the state tests?

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

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

The state requires that we see evidence of passing scores on the Basic Skills exam prior to your enrollment in any education classes. However, you may register for any general-education or content-area courses you may need.

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 SEED program under certain circumstances. The credit must be earned prior to matriculation at Roosevelt, and it must be for course work that relates to the your program. You must request transfer credit during the initial advising appointment, and submit an official transcript showing the graduate course work.

Can I take all my classes at the Chicago Auditorium or Schaumburg Robin campuses?

We cannot guarantee that you will be able to complete the entire SEED program by attending classes at only one campus. Roosevelt is one university with two locations. (Just think of all the reading you can get done on the shuttle or train!) Ask your advisor about what courses may need to be taken at only one of the campuses.

What grades do I need to continue in the program?

Graduate students must maintain a 3.0 GPA in order to remain in Roosevelt’s secondary education program and can earn no more than two grades of C to be retained in the program. A grade below C must be re-taken in the program.

I’ve just completed my first six credits of education classes. Now what?

Upon completion of six credits of education classes, you must apply for continued enrollment in the SEED program. You may pick up the application from your advisor or from the secretary in the education office. You must have a 3.0 GPA, and you must obtain a signature from a full-time faculty person recommending your continuation in the program. If you were admitted on a provisional basis, you must obtain two signatures. 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 responsiblity to recommend for certification only those candidates who demonstrate appropriate behaviors. In particular, we expect our students to demonstrate

• An active passion for the educator’s craft
• A devotion to social justice and global responsibility
• Respect for knowledge and learning
• The ability to work well in collaborative endeavors with colleagues
• The capacity to adapt to a variety of unexpected situations
• Active solicitation of feedback for improvement
• An earnest desire to help children from diverse backgrounds learn
• A willingness to adapt instruction to meet the needs of a variety of learners
• A genuine concern for the well-being of children and adolescents
• Patience, honesty, and emotional stability

How much field work must I do?

The state of Illinois requires a minimum of 100 hours of field work prior to student teaching. Field work is built into the professional education core. Your instructors in SEED 401, SEED 450, and SPED 419 will give you more details.

Can I do my field work in my child’s school?

Sorry, no. You may not fulfill a field experience requirement in a school your child attended, attends, or will attend.

I’m currently teaching at a private or public school. Can I get my student teaching waived? Or can I get credit for student teaching for doing my job?

Sorry, no. You may not fulfill a field experience requirement in a school where you are now or have been employed, in a school you attended, or in a school where a relative is employed. Again, we strive to educate teachers who will be successful in a variety of situations and with diverse populations.

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 tests. 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 two academic semesters prior to the semester in which you wish to student teach. In the fall semester, applications are due on November 1. In the spring semester, applications are due on March 1.

What’s involved in student teaching?

In many ways, student teaching is the most important aspect of your teacher education program. To be successful, you must apply the strategies, philosophies, and methods you have learned in your course work.

• Student teaching includes a full-time, 15-week assignment in a school and weekly seminar meetings
• All content area, general education, and core professional education courses must be completed prior to student teaching
• A minimum of 100 hours of field work must be completed prior to student teaching
• You must present evidence of a passing score on the appropriate Illinois Content Area exam prior to student teaching
• You may not take courses concurrently with student teaching
• You may not student teach in a school you or your children attended
• You may not student teach in a school where you were employed
• Other restrictions may apply