The elementary education program (K-9) enables qualified students to become certified teachers in Illinois. Classes, with the exception of infield obligations, are held in the evening so program participants may continue to work and attend school at the same time.
Why is DePaul’s program special?
We view the process of becoming a teacher as a career long endeavor that begins with solid foundations and is sustained through strong learning communities developed in our program.
Our program features:
- A shared conceptual framework that focuses on issues of diversity, personalism, critical engagement, and action such that educators can address the needs of all students.
- Clinical experiences throughout the program so that program participants are well acquainted with life in multiple school and classroom settings prior to student teaching.
- Evening courses (with the exception of student teaching and day-time field experiences).
- Faculty with classroom experience and regular, on-going relationships with schools.
Degree Requirements
Masters of Education-M.Ed.
Requires 12 courses plus student teaching (56 quarter hours)
Masters of Arts-M.A.
Requires 13 courses(including a thesis) plus student teaching (60 quarter hours)
Content Area Prerequisites
Students in the elementary program are required to complete a minimum of one course in each of the following areas:
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writing
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fine arts or literature
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mathematics
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science
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social science
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US history or American government
These courses may be taken at the undergraduate level and may have been included in the student’s bachelor’s degree program. Elementary Education students' academic experiences will be evaluated by an academic advisor after admission to determine if additional coursework is needed. Completion of content area requirements are not prerequisites for admission, however coursework must be completed before student teaching. It is strongly encouraged that applicants meet with an advisor after admission and prior to taking any additional content courses.
Advanced Standing
Students are admitted to DePaul’s College of Education as pre-teacher candidates. After a minimum of 8 hours of coursework, students must petition to become an advanced teacher candidate, at which time the College of Education reviews the student’s file to determine if he or she has met the criteria for continuing in the program. The criteria for advanced standing include passing the Illinois Test of Academic Proficiency (TAP, formerly the Basic Skills), having a minimum GPA of 3.0, and passing the Basic Technology Assessment (EDU 025).
Field Experience
The State of Illinois requires future teacher candidates to have intensive and extensive experiences in the field prior to student teaching. These practical experiences are opportunities to participate in classrooms, try out ideas and thinking explored in courses, and build a repertoire of informed teaching practices. Teacher candidates in the elementary program will register for field experience labs alongside required courses. Each lab meets for a minimum of 24 clock hours in a scheduled site, the hours are differently configured (i.e. 4 hours for 6 weeks, 3 hours for 8 weeks, 5 hours for 5 weeks, etc). Throughout one's program, teacher candidates will interact with diverse learners and contexts. The labs must be sucessfully completed before student teaching.
Students will have a chance to interact with a variety of populations and educational situations and initiate the process of networking to develop job opportunities. Working in schools offers chances for develop teaching practices as well as to network with school communities for future job possibilities. The state also requires that the majority of hours completed be in public schools without payment or salary.
For more detailed information about field experiences Click Here.
Student Teaching
Student teaching is a full-time, quarterlong, intensive experience during which students are cooperating with an experienced teacher in the classroom. Responsibilities begin with interactive duties including small group instruction, creating lesson plans, and include full-time teaching. Students receive direct supervision from their cooperating teacher. Student teaching is the culminating event of the certification program at DePaul University.
For more detailed information on student teaching Click Here .
Admission requirements
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