Early Childhood Education Program

Concentration (12 semester hours)

There are two options available:

1. English as a Second Language (12 credits)
   [Please note: you need 18 credits to be awarded the ESL Endorsement along with your Initial Professional Educator License (PEL)]

 

2. Bilingual Education (12 credits)
   [Please note: you need 21 credits to be awarded the BIL Endorsement along with your Initial Professional Educator License (PEL)]

 

An additional Illinois Licensure Testing Service Language Test is required as well. Please consult with the Office of Teacher Licensure for specific details.

• Professional Education (64 semester hours; fieldwork 240 hours; minimum 3.0 GPA)

Gateways Level 1:

ED 4312; S ED 4301, ECSE 4407, 4409, 4417 or S ED 4303, ECSE 4418; ESL 4120; ECH 4401, 4402

Gateways Level 2:

ECH 4403, 4404

Gateways Level 3:

4405, 4406, 4408, 4410, 4411

Gateways Level 4 (COE Admission Required):

ECH 4412*, 4413*, 4414*, 4415*, 4416*, 4419*, 4445*, 4450*

(*) Restricted to students admitted to the College of Education.

All professional courses require a grade of B or above as transfer credit or completed at Chicago State University.

Bachelor’s of Science in Early Childhood Education (Non-Licensure)

Completion of the Bachelor’s of Science in Early Childhood Education (Non Licensure) degree does not qualify candidates for an Initial Illinois Educator License. The Early Childhood Education program meets Illinois State Board of Education and Illinois Teaching Standards in specific designated areas. 

General Requirements for the Bachelor of Science Program in Elementary Education with Licensure

• Students are responsible for meeting the program and College requirements in effect, at the time of official registration, in a program leading to licensure at Chicago State University regardless of when they were admitted to the University.
• Admission to the degree program is contingent upon good academic standing and acceptance by the department.
• Formal admission to the College of Education as a degree-seeking student in a pre-professional program is based on current COE requirements.
• No more than two grades of C may be applied toward the degree.
• A full academic schedule of courses for undergraduate students is fifteen semester credit hours.
• Candidates must abide by all College policies stated in this catalog; unless, exceptions are processed through established department, college and university procedures, documented in writing.
• Completion of all program completion requirements, including the Candidate Work Sample Capstone Project, must be completed within six years.

Admission Requirements 

• Open Admission – No entrance examinations are required.

Program Completion Requirements

• General program completion requirements include: 1) completing an application for graduation with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 in all required courses that meet General Education requirements, 2) a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 for courses that meet the Concentration Requirements, and 3) a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 in all required and elective courses in professional education and the designated content area; and 4) completion of the following addition licensure requirements:
  • Pre-clinical and clinical fieldwork forms documenting 100 clock hours must be submitted to the Office of Field Placement. A summer practicum can be completed to make up missing field hours.
  • Field Practicum and Student Teaching Clinical Experiences must be successfully completed.
  • All College of Education and Program Assessments must be submitted in the LiveText by Watermark courseware domain; including the Candidate Work Sample (edTPA) Capstone Project and Professional Portfolio.

Illinois State Board of Education licensure examination / assessments, including the Content Area Test in the discipline, must be completed. Proof of passing must be submitted to the academic program by announced due dates PRIOR to permission given to register for the final Student Teaching clinical experience course.

• Spring Semester Student Teaching – October 15th in the prior Fall Semester as part of the Application for Student Teaching Process.
• Fall Semester Student Teaching – March 15th * in the prior Spring Semester as part of the Application for Student Teaching Process.
  * Extensions to June 30th can be granted with program approval.
• All requirements are met for state licensure as mandated by the Illinois State Board of Education, in consultation with the Office of Teacher Licensure.

General Education Prerequisites

General education courses may be completed with the Undergraduate degree the candidate has completed and may be transferred to meet program requirements. Students are required to take any General education courses required for licensure which were not completed as a part of the student’s undergraduate program.

Concentration (12 semester hours)

There are three options available as noted below:

• English as Second Language (12 credits)
  [Please note: you need 18 credits to be awarded the ESL Endorsement along with your Initial Professional Educator License (PEL)]

 

• Bilingual Education (12 credits)
  [Please note: you need 21 credits to be awarded the BIL Endorsement along with your Initial Professional Educator License (PEL)]

Choose from the following:
ESL 4000 (3)	History, Philosophy, and Equity of English as a Second Language
ESL 4100 (3)	Assessment and Evaluation in English as a Second Language
ESL 4110 (3)	Language and Linguistics
ESL 4120 (3)	Teaching English as a Second Language** [**already embedded in program]
ESL 4130 (3)	Cross Cultural Studies
ESL 4270* (3)	Methods and Materials for Teaching English as a Second Language
BIL 4280* (3)	Methods and Materials for Bilingual Education

An additional Illinois Licensure Testing Service Language Test is required as well. Please consult with the Office of Teacher Licensure for specific details.

• PreK-12 Education Options (12 credits)
  Courses are chosen with approval from the program for any of these domain / concentration areas: Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, English/Language Arts, Creative Arts, Psychology, Technology and other approved areas in consultation with the Office of Teacher Licensure.

Professional Education (64 semester hours; fieldwork 240 hours; minimum 3.0 GPA)

Gateways Level 1:

ED 4312; S ED 4301, ECSE 4407, 4409, 4417 or S ED 4303, ECSE 4418; ESL 4120; ECH 4401, 4402,

Gateways Level 2:

ECH 4403, 4404

Gateways Level 3:

4405, 4406, 4408, 4410, 4411

Gateways Level 4 (COE Admission Required):

25 Credit Hours of Elective Courses in ECH or related disciplines with program approval

(*) Restricted to students admitted to the College of Education.

All professional courses require a grade of B or above as transfer credit or completed at Chicago State University.

Post Baccalaureate in Early Childhood Education (Licensure Non-Degree)

Completion of the Post Baccalaureate Program in Early Childhood Education degree qualifies candidates with an previously completed Baccalaureate degree for an Initial Illinois Educator License. Candidates may qualify for additional endorsements after a transcript review by the Office of Teacher Licensure.

Candidates must take an Illinois Licensure Testing System examination and receive a passing score on the edTPA portfolio to complete the program. The Early Childhood Education program meets Illinois State Board of Education and Illinois Teaching Standards in the designated content areas. 

General Requirements for the Post-Baccalaureate Program in Elementary Education with Licensure

• Students are responsible for meeting the program and College requirements in effect at the time they officially register in a program leading to licensure at Chicago State University regardless of when they were admitted to the University.
• Admission to the degree program is contingent upon good academic standing and acceptance by the department.
• Formal admission to the College of Education as a degree-seeking student in a pre-professional program is based on current COE requirements.
• Program completion requirements include a minimum of 33 credit hours of the student’s course work completed at the 5000-level; including courses identified to meet content area designation requirements, as approved by the program in consultation with the department for the specified content area designation.
• No more than two grades of C may be applied toward the degree.
• A full academic schedule of courses for graduate students is nine semester credit hours (6 hrs. during summer). Exceptions to this policy may be made only with the approval of the department.
• Candidates must abide by all College policies stated in this catalog, unless exceptions are processed through established department, college and university procedures, documented in writing.
• Completion of all program completion requirements, including the Candidate Work Sample Capstone Project, must be completed within six years.

Admission Requirements 

• Provide two transcript(s) as evidence of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university, and that the final 60 credit hours of undergraduate and/or graduate courses demonstrate a minimum GPA of 3.0.
• Credit towards required courses in the program will only be awarded for grades of C or higher.
• Submit proof that undergraduate coursework meets a minimum grade of C threshold in the following general education requirements:
  • Three credit hours in each of composition II, speech, college-level mathematics, Art Appreciation, Music Appreciation, Political Science, U.S. History, Geography, biological science, physical science, earth/space science (at least one science course must include a laboratory). General Education course requirements for licensure are subject to change by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE). Contact the Office of Teacher Licensure for more information.
  • One course which incorporates multicultural or global perspectives.

Program Completion Requirements

• General program completion requirements include completing an application for graduation with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 in all required and elective courses in professional education and the designated content area; as well as completion of the following addition licensure requirements:
  • Pre-clinical and clinical fieldwork forms documenting 100 clock hours are submitted to the Office of Field Placement. A summer practicum can be completed to make up missing field hours.
  • Field Practicum and Student Teaching Clinical Experiences successfully completed.
  • All College of Education and Program Assessments submitted in the LiveText by Watermark courseware domain; including the Candidate Work Sample (edTPA) Capstone Project and Professional Portfolio.

Illinois State Board of Education licensure examination / assessments, including the Content Area Test in the discipline, must be completed. Proof of passing must be submitted to the academic program by announced due dates PRIOR to permission given to register for the final Student Teaching clinical experience course.

• Spring Semester Student Teaching – October 15th in the prior Fall Semester as part of the Application for Student Teaching Process
• Fall Semester Student Teaching – March 15th * in the prior Spring Semester as part of the Application for Student Teaching Process
  * Extensions to June 30th can be granted with program approval.

• All requirements are met for state licensure as mandated by the Illinois State Board of Education, in consultation with the Office of Teacher Licensure.

General Education Prerequisites:

General education courses may be completed with the undergraduate degree the candidate, and may be transferred, to meet program requirements. Students are required to take any General Education courses required for licensure that were not completed as a part of the student’s undergraduate program.

General Education Courses (39 hours):
ENG 1270 and 1280	Composition I and II
CMAT 1130	Oral Communication
ENG 1260	Introduction to Literature
ART 1100	Art Appreciation
MUS 1134 or HUM 1XXX	Music Appreciation | HUM Elective
BIOL 1510	Concepts of Biology
PHS 1100	Physical Science I
PHS 1140 or 1150	Survey II/Earth Science | Astronomy
HIST 1310	US History Since 1877
POL 1010	American National Government
GEOG 1100	Global Diversity
MATH 1010 and 1020	Math for ELED Teachers 1 and II

A grade of C or better will count towards completion of requirements. Minimum General Education GPA of 2.5 is required for program completion.

Concentration (12 semester hours)

There are two options available as noted below:

• English as Second Language (12 credits)
  [Please note: you need 18 credits to be awarded the ESL Endorsement along with your Initial Professional Educator License (PEL)]

Choose from the following:
ESL 4000/5000 (3)	History, Philosophy, and Equity of English as a Second Language
ESL 4100/5100 (3)	Assessment and Evaluation in English as a Second Language
ESL 4110/5110 (3)	Language and Linguistics
ESL 4120/5120 (3)	Teaching English as a Second Language** [**already embedded in program]
ESL 4130/5130 (3)	Cross Cultural Studies
ESL 4270/5270* (3)	Methods and Materials for Teaching English as a Second Language

Bilingual Education (12 credits)
[Please note: you need 21 credits to be awarded the BIL Endorsement along with your Initial Professional Educator License (PEL)]

Choose from the following:
ESL 4000/5000 (3)	History, Philosophy, and Equity of English as a Second Language
ESL 4100/5100 (3)	Assessment and Evaluation in English as a Second Language
ESL 4110/5110 (3)	Language and Linguistics
ESL 4120/5120 (3)	Teaching English as a Second Language** [**already embedded in program]
ESL 4130/5130 (3)	Cross Cultural Studies
ESL 4270/5270* (3)	Methods and Materials for Teaching English as a Second Language
BIL 4280/5280* (3)	Methods and Materials for Bilingual Education

              

An additional Illinois Licensure Testing Service Language Test is required as well. Please consult with the Office of Teacher Licensure for specific details.

Professional Education (64 semester hours; fieldwork 240 hours; minimum 3.0 GPA)
Please note: A minimum of 33 credit hours must be completed at the 5000-level.

Gateways Level 1:

ED 4312/5312; S ED 4301/5301, ECSE 4407/5407, 4409/5409, 4417/5417 or S ED 4303/5303, ECSE 4418/5418; ESL 4120/5120; ECH 4401/5401, 4402/5402

Gateways Level 2:

ECH 4403/5403, 4404/5404

Gateways Level 3:

4405/5405, 4406/5406, 4408/5408, 4410/5410, 4411/5411

Gateways Level 4 (COE Admission Required):

ECH 4412*/5412*, 4413*/5413*, 4414*/5414*, 4415*/5415*, 4416*/5416*, 4419*/5419*, 4445*/5445*, 4450*/5450*

(*) Restricted to students admitted to the College of Education.

All professional courses require a grade of B or above as transfer credit or completed at Chicago State University.

PLEASE NOTE: There are other non-degree options available for certified teachers who wish to add additional endorsements to their initial professional educator licensure. Please visit the Office of Teacher Licensure for more information. 

Master of Arts in Teaching Early Childhood Education + State of Illinois Professional Educators Licensure (PEL)

Completion of the Master of Arts in Teaching Early Childhood Education degree qualifies candidates for an Initial Illinois Educator License. Candidates may qualify for additional endorsements after a transcript review by the Office of Teacher Licensure.

Candidates must take an Illinois Licensure Testing System examination and receive a passing score on the edTPA portfolio to complete the program. The Early Childhood Education program meets Illinois State Board of Education and Illinois Teaching Standards in the designated content areas.

General Requirements for MAT in Early Childhood Education with Licensure

• Students are responsible for meeting the program and College requirements in effect at the time they officially register in a program leading to licensure at Chicago State University regardless of when they were admitted to the University.
• Admission to the degree program is contingent upon good academic standing and acceptance by the department.
• Formal admission to the College of Education as a degree-seeking student in a pre-professional program is based on current COE requirements.
• Graduation requirements include a minimum of 33 credit hours of the student’s course work completed at the 5000-level; including courses identified to meet content area designation requirements, as approved by the program in consultation with the department for the specified content area designation.
• No more than two grades of C may be applied toward the degree.
• A full academic schedule of courses for graduate students is nine semester credit hours (6 hrs. during summer). Exceptions to this policy may be made only with the approval of the department.
• Candidates must abide by all College policies stated in this catalog, unless exceptions are processed through established department, college and university procedures, documented in writing.
• Completion of all master’s degree requirements, including the Candidate Work Sample Capstone Project, must be completed within six years.

Admission Requirements 

• Provide two transcript(s) as evidence of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university, and that the final 60 credit hours of undergraduate and/or graduate courses demonstrate a minimum GPA of 3.0.
• Credit towards required courses in the program will only be awarded for grades of C or higher.
• Submit proof that undergraduate coursework meets a minimum grade of C threshold in the following general education requirements:
  • Three credit hours in each of composition II, speech, college-level mathematics, Art Appreciation, Music Appreciation, Political Science, U.S. History, Geography, biological science, physical science, earth/space science (at least one science course must include a laboratory). General Education course requirements for licensure are subject to change by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE). Contact the Office of Teacher Licensure for more information at https://www.csu.edu/collegeofeducation/licensure.htm.
  • One course which incorporates multicultural or global perspectives.

• Professional Education Pre-Requisites

Gateways Level 1:

ED 4312/5312; S ED 4301/5301, ECSE 4407/5407, 4409/5409, 4417/5417 or S ED 4303/5303, ECSE 4418/5418; ECH 4401/5401, 4402/5402

Gateways Level 2:

ECH 4403/5403, 4404/5404

Gateways Level 3:

4405/5405, 4406/5406, 4408/5408, 4410/5410, 4411/5411

Program Completion and Graduation Requirements

• General program completion and graduation requirements include completing an application for graduation with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 in all required and elective courses in professional education and the designated content area; as well as completion of the following addition licensure requirements:
  • Pre-clinical and clinical fieldwork forms documenting 100 clock hours are submitted to the Office of Field Placement. A summer practicum can be completed to make up missing field hours.
  • Field Practicum and Student Teaching Clinical Experiences successfully completed.
  • All College of Education and Program Assessments submitted in the LiveText by Watermark courseware domain; including the Candidate Work Sample (edTPA) Capstone Project and Professional Portfolio.

Illinois State Board of Education licensure examination / assessments, including the Content Area Test in the discipline. Proof of passing must be submitted to the academic program by announced due dates PRIOR to permission given to register for the final Student Teaching clinical experience course.

• Spring Semester Student Teaching – October 15th in the prior Fall Semester as part of the Application for Student Teaching Process
• Fall Semester Student Teaching – March 15th * in the prior Spring Semester as part of the Application for Student Teaching Process
  * Extensions to June 30th can be granted with program approval.

• All requirements are met for state licensure as mandated by the Illinois State Board of Education, in consultation with the Office of Teacher Licensure.

Professional Education (33 credit hours)

Please note: A minimum of 33 credit hours must be completed at the 5000-level.

ESL 4120/5120 and two of the following: ESL 4000/5000, 4100/5100, 4110/5110, 4130/5130. 4270/5270

Gateways Level 4 (COE Admission Required) – 25 credits:

ECH 4412*/5412*, 4413*/5413*, 4414*/5414*, 4415*/5415*, 4416*/5416*, 4419*/5419*, 4445*/5445*, 4450*/5450*

(*) Restricted to students admitted to the College of Education.

All required courses must be passed with at least a grade of C. Minimum G.P.A. of 3.0 required in Professional Education course work.

Restricted to students admitted to the College of Education.

Additional Professional Education Courses Leading to Endorsements (Optional)

Candidates are encouraged to consider optional coursework, as appropriate, to have additional endorsement credits attached to your initial professional educator license (PEL) at the point of program completion. Options include English as Second Language (ESL), Bilingual Education (BIL), Middle Level Education (MIDL) and a whole range of PreK-12 concentrations / content area designations. Consult with the Office of Teacher Licensure for more information.

Master of Science in Curriculum & Instruction in Early Childhood Education (Non Licensure)

The Master of Science in Curriculum and Instruction/Early Childhood program offers several options designed specifically to prepare early childhood professionals for the diversity of the early childhood workforce.

Degree options designed for educators who wish to further their education and build on their professional knowledge and skills, but are not seeking initial, subsequent grade-level or other endorsements, or approvals:

• Experienced early childhood teachers who wish to enhance their knowledge and skills.
• Professionals with degrees in other disciplines who are changing careers.
• Professionals who wish to develop specialized knowledge in a specific area of early childhood, but not an “endorsement” as defined by the Illinois State Board of Education. 

Admissions Requirements

Applicants applying to the Master of Science in Curriculum and Instruction with an Early Childhood Education program lead to additional endorsements or approvals to a PEL must submit:

• Illinois Professional Educator License with an Early Childhood endorsement.
• Provide official transcript(s) as evidence of a liberal arts baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university.
• Provide evidence that the final 60 credit hours of undergraduate and/or graduate courses include minimum of 18 credit hours of coursework in an approved undergraduate major or concentration
• Transcripts should demonstrate a degree minimum GPA of 3.0, with a minimum GPA of in their approved undergraduate major or concentration.
• Submit written recommendations from two school administrators and/or supervisors familiar with the applicant’s work.
• Submit a written statement explaining the applicant’s professional goals.
• Acceptance by the department faculty

Degree options designed for licensed teachers who have already earned a PEL with ECH Endorsement and are seeking additional endorsements or approvals. 

Degree Options

Option 1: Early Childhood Professional Enhancement (33 credit hours)

NOTE: This degree does not result in teacher licensure.

• Required Core Courses: ECH 5970/ECH 5971 Additional 15 credit hours in early childhood courses will be identified in consultation with the professional academic advisor.
• Required graduate-level professional courses, 15 credit hours chosen in collaboration with the academic advisor.

Option 2: Advanced Early Childhood Degree for Non-ECH Majors (45credit hours)

NOTE: This degree does not result in teacher licensure.

• Required Courses (12 hours) (student NOTE: MUST present evidence of completion of the following courses by the end of the first year of their program: ECH 5401, 5402, 5403, 5404.)
• Required Core Courses (18 credit hours): ECH 5970/ECH 5971 Additional courses identified in consultation with the professional academic advisor.
• Required Professional Early Childhood Courses (18 credit hours): ECH 5405, ECH 5406, ECH 5408, ECH 5410, ECH 5419.)
• Required Core Courses (18 credit hours): ECH 5601, ECH 5602, and or ECH 5603 (2 of the three courses), ECH 5604, ECH 5605, ECH 5970/ECH 5971, ECEE 5462 Internship (to be completed in the role of a reading teacher).
• Required Reading Endorsement Courses: READ 5280, READ 5240, READ 5160, READ 5170, READ 5180, LIB 5240.
• Required Early Childhood Course, ECH 5607 and ECH 5609.