Early Childhood Education
Program Description
The teaching and learning program at DePaul University is a unique career change opportunity designed to enable college graduates with a bachelor's degree in a field other than education to become teaching professionals.
The early childhood education program enables qualified students to obtain an Illinois certification to teach birth to third grade. Classes, with the exception of student teaching obligations, are held in the evening so program participants may continue to work and attend school ath the same time. There also is an intense day time clinical element to this program-- all students devote themselves to at least 130 hours of experience in area schools beyond their student teaching requirements.
Distinctive DePaul Features
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Becoming a teacher is viewed as a developmental process continuing at least through the first year of teaching
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Multiculturalism is infused throughout the curriculum.
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Clinical/field experiences are an integral part of the curriculum
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Students are exposes to a variety of educational theories.
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The program includes a research component as a basis for further professional development.
Concentrations
Early Childhood Education students must complete 28 quarter hours (18 semester hours) of undergraduate coursework,(half at the upper level) across the content areas. Content area options include fine arts, health, literature, mathematics, science, social science, United States government, United States history and writing. If a student does not meet these requirements in their bachelor's degree program they will need to fulfill them to gain certification. These courses may be taken at the undergraduate level. Completion of content-area requirements are not a prerequisite for admission. However coursework must be complete before student teaching. It is strongly encouraged that applicants meet with an advisor upon admission and prior to taking content courses.
Degree Requirements
Masters of Education-M.Ed.
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requires 12 courses plus student teaching (56 quarter hours)
Masters of Arts-M.A.
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requires 13 courses(including a thesis) plus student teaching (60 quarter hours)
All students are required to complete courses in sequence will be a part of a cohort who are completing the same courses in the same sequence.
For more detailed degree requirements click here
Admission Requirements
State Certification Tests
Students must take and pass the following three State mandated tests in order to be certified:
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Basic Skills Test*
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Content Area Test
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Assessment of Professional Teaching (APT) test* Students should take this test anytime prior to applying or within 16 quarter hours after admission
The test(s) are offered at various sites around the metropolitan area. The tests are offered six times per year : September, December, February, March, June, and July. The DePaul School of Education offers study guides and additional preparation assistance. Questions about testing can be directed to the Illinois State Board of Education
Field Experience and Student Teaching
Field Experience
Teacher certification programs require a range of field experience hours (100-200 hours depending on the program) These practical experiences offer a gradual introduction to a teacher's role and help students see connections between theory and practice. In addition students may initiate the process of networking to develop job opportunities.
All field experience hours are attached to specific education courses. Since field experiences are a part of course requirements they must be completed during the 11 weeks of the quarter. Assignments that provide the basis for the field experience will be provided by the course instructor.Field experience hours must be completed in a classroom setting during the school day and be supervised by a certified teacher. Field experience requirements apply to all students including those who are working.
Field experiences must be completed in a least 3 different schools and the majority must be completed in a public school setting. Students must have documented experiences throughout the entire grade range of the expected certificate (Early Childhood: Birth-3rd grade; Elementary: K-8th grade; Secondary: 6-12th grade; Dual Certification: K-12th grade). Students must complete 10-15 hours with exceptional children and in classrooms where at least 20% of the class is of a culture, language, or racial/ethnic group that is different from their own.
For more detailed information about field experiences click here.
Student Teaching
Student teaching is the culminating event of the certification program. Students will cooperate with an established educator. Responsibilities begin with interactive duties such as small group instruction and will progress to co-teaching lessons, teaching on their own with direct supervision, and finally being in charge of the class. This full-time, intensive experience varies in length depending on the program:
- 16 weeks Dual Certification
- 12 weeks Early Childhood
- 10 weeks Elementary
- 10 weeks Secondary
For more information on student teaching click here.