Offered in: Chicago

The program in Early Childhood Education is interdisciplinary in scope and practical in orientation. Its purpose is to prepare students to become highly qualified, capable, and dedicated educators in infants, toddlers, Head Start, childcare, and preschool programs, as well as kindergarten and primary grades (Grade 1 and 2). Students complete diverse field placements and clinical experiences in public schools and private agencies serving children from infancy through second grade.  Students can choose from three concentrations. The first is a traditional pathway to a State of Illinois teaching license, with the early childhood endorsement, a bilingual/ESL endorsement, an early childhood special education approval and the Gateways to Opportunity Level 5 ECE Credential. The second concentration is an innovative teacher residency and Chicago Public School partnership pathway to a State of Illinois teaching license with the early childhood endorsement, an early childhood special education approval and the Gateways to Opportunity Level 5 ECE. The third concentration leads only to the Gateways to Opportunity Level 5 ECE and Infant/Toddler Credentials. With careful planning, teacher licensure candidates in the traditional pathway can add on an additional endorsement in Elementary Education or Special Education (LBS1).

Early Childhood Teacher Licensure (BIRTH-GRADE 2, Traditional Pathway)
Students who complete the Early Childhood Teacher Licensure concentration through the traditional pathway earn a State of Illinois Professional Education License, with an early childhood endorsement and early childhood special education approval, which will allow teaching special needs pre-kindergarten only. Students in this concentration also must earn the bilingual/ESL minor and, with teacher licensure, will earn the Bilingual and/or ESL endorsement. With careful planning, students can add an endorsement in Elementary Education or Special Education (LBS1).

CPS AA to BA Teacher Residency Program (BIRTH-GRADE 2, Early Childhood Teacher Licensure)
Roosevelt's CPS AA to BA Teacher Residency program was designed in collaboration with the Chicago Public Schools and is the only undergraduate teacher residency program available in the state of Illinois. The program's goal is to provide paraprofessionals and teaching assistants working in the Chicago Public Schools with an affordable and high-quality pathway to a BA degree and teacher licensure.

In addition to meeting the requirements for admission, candidates must pass the ILTS Early Childhood Education content exam and successfully complete all required coursework. All required courses are delivered online and face-to-face at the Chicago campus, while candidates are employed full-time with Chicago Public Schools.  

Early Care and Education (BIRTH-AGE 8)
Successful completion of the Early Care and Education concentration entitles students to the Level 5 ECE and Infant/Toddler Credentials, state-recognized employment credentials that signal substantial training, education, and experience with children birth through age 8. 

Prerequisites

Two introductory courses (6 credit hours) are required of all undergraduate majors in the Department of Education. These courses provide students with the opportunity to explore a variety of educational roles, careers and concepts. All courses must be passed with grades of C- or higher to advance into the major.

Requirements

Students may begin major core courses in the Early Childhood Education program so long as they have a minimum 2.7 GPA in all undergraduate courses. All methods courses must be passed with grades of C- or higher.

Students must maintain an overall GPA of at least 2.7 while enrolled in the education program. Should a student fall below a 2.7 GPA, the program's faculty will review the student's eligibility to continue moving forward in the licensure program.  The student's final 30 credit hours must be earned at Roosevelt University, 

Concentrations

The Early Childhood Education major offers two concentrations: Early Childhood Teacher Licensure and Early Care and Education. Students must choose and complete one or the other. 

CONCENTRATION IN early childhood teacher licensure (BIRTH-grade 2)

Students who complete the Early Childhood Teacher Licensure concentration through the traditional pathway earn a State of Illinois Professional Education License, with an early childhood endorsement and early childhood special education approval, which will allow teaching special needs pre-kindergarten only. Students in this concentration are also strongly recommended to earn the bilingual/ESL minor and with teacher licensure and earn the Bilingual and/or ESL endorsement. With careful planning, students can add on an additional endorsement in Elementary Education or Special Education (LBS1).  Students who seek dual licensure in Early Childhood Education and Elementary Education, READ 320/420 will meet the program requirements for ECHD 337/437.

All courses must be passed with grades of C- or higher. Student Teaching must be passed with a minimum C or higher.

CONCENTRATION IN EARLY CHILDHOOD TEACHER LICENSURE (BIRTH-GRADE 2, CPS AA to BA Teacher Residency Program)

Students who complete the Early Childhood Teacher Licensure concentration through the CPS AA to BA Teacher Residency Program earn a State of Illinois Professional Education License with an early childhood endorsement and early childhood special education approval, which will allow teaching special needs pre-kindergarten only. To enroll in this concentration, students must apply and earn approval from Roosevelt University and the Chicago Public Schools. The program provides current employees of the Chicago Public Schools with a unique opportunity to earn teacher licensure and a BA degree in Early Childhood Education while completing a year-long residency teaching experience.

Students in the concentration are exempted from the following course requirements: ECHD 303, 328, and 348. Students in this program must complete 10 hours of infant and toddler field observation during the fall semester of Year 1 and 50 hours of preschool field observation during the spring semester of Year 1 in the Summer Bridge program. However, all other required courses, plus the ones listed below, must be passed with grades of C- or higher. Student teaching (Teacher Residency 1 and 2) must be passed with a minimum C or higher.  Students who seek dual licensure in Early Childhood Education and Elementary Education, READ 320/420 will meet the program requirements for ECHD 337/437.

CONCENTRATION in early care and education (birth-age 8)

Successful completion of the Early Care and Education concentration entitles students to the Level 5 ECE and Infant/Toddler Credentials, state-recognized employment credentials that signal substantial training, education, and experience with children birth through age 8. No exams are required for this credential, but an application must be submitted to Gateways to Opportunity, a support system for Illinois early care and education professionals. The Level 5 Credentials are not a teaching license but may be used to obtain employment in childcare settings. The bilingual/ESL minor is recommended for students completing this concentration. All courses must be passed with grades of C- or higher. Students must have a minimum GPA of a 2.7.

Field Experience & Practicum/Student Teaching

Pedagogical and real-world training is at the center of undergraduate degree coursework. Consequently, all Early Childhood Education majors are required to enroll in one credit hour of "Individualized Coaching and Field Experiences" courses in each of three semesters prior to their practicum or student teaching. Each field experience course requires 50 hours in a classroom setting.

In their Individualized Coaching courses, students will complete the field experiences needed to develop professional knowledge, skills, and dispositions in alignment with Roosevelt's social justice mission. As students progress from one individualized Coaching course to another, they will take on tasks and responsibilities that are increasingly complex and challenging. These experiences will prepare students for success in the practicum and student teaching experiences that culminate in the Early Childhood major and facilitate the awarding of an employment credential or license. 

Placement in practicum/ student teaching sites is planned with consideration of professional standards and partnership schools and agencies. Pre-primary and Primary student teaching placements are open only to students who have successfully completed the appropriate general education and professional education courses, early childhood content test (licensure concentration only), and other Department of Education student teaching requirements. Placements in sites with diverse student populations are required. Students must make formal application two semesters prior to the semester in which they plan to do their practicum/student teaching. Applicants are expected to be in good academic standing and must provide evidence of competency with regard to professional dispositions, including the passage of a criminal background check. Students should consult regularly with their advisor about the specific requirements for licensure and student teaching in Illinois.

In addition to the requirements outlined in this academic catalog, students in the Early Childhood Education program are obligated to become familiar with and comply with, all requirements outlined in the Initial Licensure Field Experience & Student Teaching Handbook in order to receive a passing grade for field experience and student teaching courses proceeding to licensure. Students enrolled in field experience and student teaching courses will receive the handbook from the Director of Field Placement.

Licensure requirements

To qualify for Roosevelt University’s recommendation for the Illinois teaching license and early childhood endorsement, students must meet all general education requirements that are in effect at the time of their application.

Students must consult with their education advisor to determine which general education courses are acceptable toward fulfillment of licensure requirements. Because requirements for licensure, graduation, and continuing enrollment are subject to change, undergraduates must consult frequently with their education advisors. The advising plan developed at program admission provides the most up-to-date and authoritative information with respect to all program and licensure requirements.

Students, one semester before beginning student teaching, students must provide proof of having attempted the Early Childhood Content exam at least twice and must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.7 in all undergraduate courses. Additionally, all courses must be passed with a grade of C- or higher. For more information about the criteria for the Early Childhood Education Content exam, contact the Department of Education.

Before issuing a license, the Illinois State Board of Education also requires satisfactory scores on the Educator Teacher Performance Assessment Portfolio (edTPA).

Your degree map is a general guide suggesting courses to complete each term on the academic pathway to your degree. It is based on the most current scheduling information from your academic program. Your program’s degree map is reviewed annually and updated as schedules change (although you retain the same course requirements as long as you are continuously enrolled in your degree program).

Always work closely with your academic advisor to understand curriculum requirements and scheduling, as each student’s academic plan can look slightly different.

¹

9sh hours of humanities are required 

²

9sh hours of social science are required 

³

Fulfills ESL endorsement requirement.

⁴

Experiential Learning course.

⁵

Ideas course.

⁶

Endorsement requirements vary. Please consult with advisor for information. If general elective is taken, it may be in any discipline. General elective may not fulfill program requirements. Consult with advisor for information.

⁷

One Natural Science course must have a lab.

Your degree map is a general guide suggesting courses to complete each term on the academic pathway to your degree. It is based on the most current scheduling information from your academic program. Your program’s degree map is reviewed annually and updated as schedules change (although you retain the same course requirements as long as you are continuously enrolled in your degree program).

Always work closely with your academic advisor to understand curriculum requirements and scheduling, as each student’s academic plan can look slightly different.

¹

9sh hours of humanities are required 

²

9sh hours of social science are required

³

Fulfills ESL endorsement requirement.

⁴

Experiential Learning course.

⁵

Ideas course.

⁶

Endorsement requirements vary. Please consult with advisor for information. If general elective is taken, it may be in any discipline. General elective may not fulfill program requirements. Consult with advisor for information.

⁷

One Natural Science course must have a lab.

¹

9sh of humanities are required.

²

9sh of social sciences are required.

³

Experiential Learning course.

⁴

Ideas course.

⁵

One Natural Science course must have a lab.

⁶

General elective may be courses in any content area. Students are encouraged to add a minor is English as a Second Language or any other area. Consult with your advisor for more information.