What is urban education?

As the Chicago area's largest university, UIC has a responsibility and unique opportunity to contribute to the well-being of urban life. The College of Education, through collaborations with urban schools and community-based organizations, focuses on work and research in urban settings that improves the learning opportunities for children, youth, and families. This work is carried out with an understanding that the problems and issues confronting schools and neighborhoods in urban areas cannot be addressed effectively without attention to the social and economic forces which exert influence upon the lives of children and families.

Urban educators are potential agents of social change, working to bring about educational equity in achievement and access. To do this they need to develop and refine intellectual, social, and communication skills to help shape a truly participatory democracy. They need, as well, to refine effective and culturally sensitive instruction and curriculum if they are to produce powerful learning outcomes within the context of (and with an understanding of) urban conditions and structures. They need methods through which to define and understand the problems faced by school and community people themselves.

The goal of this program is to help you develop the knowledge and skills to become effective urban educators whether you work in schools or in communities.

How long does the program take?

The program is a four -year, full-time program.

How do I apply?

Freshman applicants apply through the UIC Office of Admissions and Records.Transfer applicants apply both to the College of Education and the UIC Office of Admissions and Records. Apply now!

What application materials do I submit?

Read the application checklists for freshmen (pdf) and transfer applicants (pdf).

Can I get in?

All applications are individually reviewed by a committee and a number of criteria are considered and evaluated including:

• ACT scores (freshmen only)
• High school transcripts if you are applying as a freshmen or college transcripts if you are a transfer applicant
• Essay on your commitment to urban education
• Evidence of your commitment to the College of Education mission
• Additional supplemental materials if you are applying for candidacy

Can I afford it?

UIC makes every effort to help students pay for the cost of going to college. Our Financial Aid page can help answer your questions.

Review the UIC tuition and fee schedule and find out more about billing and payment options.

Can I get housing on campus?

Yes, and it is best to apply as soon as you know you want to live on campus, because applications are prioritized by date of application. Visit campus housing to find out more and submit your  application.

What support does the COE provide?

The College of Education is a close knit community and committed to the success of its students. If you have concerns or questions you can stop by the Office of Student Services, or make an appointment to see your adviser. The College encourages a strong bond between students and their advisers. The College of Education is also home to the CHANCE Program, which assists students with academic, personal, and professional challenges of academic preparation. You can also find support from your professors and fellow students. UIC offers many support programs and opportunities that encourage academic success. Your adviser can help you connect to UIC resources.

What is Candidacy?

To complete the BA Program in Urban Education students must be admitted to candidacy.  Candidacy status is reserved for the final 60 hours of the BA program, and students can apply for candidacy when they have met all the requirements for the concentration. Generally, this occurs during the final semester of the sophomore year. 

If you do not meet the requirements for candidacy, you must either remain an Undeclared Major in the College of Education, or apply for admission as an Undeclared Major if you are not already enrolled in the College. Once you become eligible for candidacy, you can make the switch in the next admission review.

Find out if you qualify for candidacy in the Elementary Education Concentration (pdf).

What is the Common Core Curriculum?

Students in the BA in Urban Education program will take a Common Core Curriculum (pdf) in the first two years of study. This curriculum is characterized by:

• completion of the campus general education course requirements that focus on a broad liberal arts education
• completion of a set of foundational courses in education
• development of a specialization in an area of interest to the student:
• Elementary Education concentration - specialization courses will lead to content area approvals or endorsements on top of certification

In addition, while they complete coursework in the foundations of education, students will engage in two 30-hour field placements in a community-based organization in high-poverty/high minority communities in Chicago.

What is the Area of Specialization?

In the Common Core Curriculum, students will develop a liberal arts background, expertise in a specified content area or related discipline, and knowledge about:

• the philosophical, economic and political foundations of schooling in urban societies
• the social, cognitive and emotional development of children in urban environments
• the role that race, class, gender, ethnicity, culture and language play in shaping both the past and the current realities of schooling in the urban context
• the social and economic factors that impact what happens in communities with schools that have been historically underserved.

Content areas of specialization can be completed with courses in the following areas:

• Language Arts
• Social Studies
• Math
• Science
• African American Studies
• Cultural and Social Studies
• Asian-American Studies
• Latin American and Latino Studies
• Foreign Language

What is Summer College?

Summer College at UIC is a free, five-week summer program for newly admitted freshmen that provides you with many paths to jump start your academic success at UIC. You can improve your skills in math, computers, writing, note-taking, and studying. It's a great opportunity to make friends with other new students, make connections with faculty and advisers, and get to know the campus. The College of Education encourages freshmen to participate in Summer College. Programs begin in June shortly after the high school year ends.

Will my credits from another college or university transfer to the College of Education?

Yes, if the credits earned are from an accredited institution. UIC has transfer articulations from all state schools who participate in the Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI). Courses from private and other state schools will be evaluated individually. To find out whether courses you have taken will transfer, make an appointment with a College of Education adviser who will go over your academic records with you.

Coursework

Students must complete a minimum of 125 semester hours acceptable to the College of Education, and must also meet the “Additional Program Requirements” listed below.
 
Coursework that duplicates previous credit does not count toward graduation, and no credit is given for a course in which a failing grade is received.
 
A student must complete the basic course requirements of the University and College that are in effect at the time of initial registration. It is essential for each student to become familiar with the graduation requirements and to keep up to date with any published changes.
 
If requirements are changed, continuing students and those whose attendance at UIC has been interrupted for no more than two years, may complete the current graduation requirements or may continue to meet those requirements in effect at the time of initial registration. Students who return to UIC after an absence of more than two years are responsible for meeting the requirements of the University and College in effect at the time of the student's re-enrollment. If courses originally required are no longer offered, the College has the prerogative of specifying substitutes. Students should be aware that changes occurring in state certification requirements may necessitate additional graduation requirements.

Required courses for Elementary Education concentration (pdf)

Additional Program Requirements

Two-phase process
The BA program has two phases. During the first phase (freshman and sophomore years and the first 66 hours of coursework), all students take the Common Core Curriculum, which provides a liberal arts foundation, introduces students to the issues of urban education and establishes a subject matter specialization.
 
After completion of the Common Core Curriculum students apply for candidacy (junior and senior years and the final 60 hours of coursework) status in the Elementary Education concentration. In all, these courses lead to the minimum course requirements outlined by the College of Education.

Fieldwork and Student Teaching
The Elementary Education concentration provides teacher candidates with many field experiences in urban schools. Careful cooperating teacher/teacher candidate matches are made by the program faculty to ensure rich and deep experiences according to areas of specialization and interest. Clinical work begins in the junior year (semesters 5 and 6) with nearly 300 hours at an urban classroom and continues in to the senior year (semesters 7 and 8). In semester 7, the pre-student teaching practicum has 180 hours built-in classroom experiences that culminate in the semester 8 student teaching internship, with nearly 400 hours in an urban classroom. Typically, the junior and senior year placements are at different schools/communities.

Residence Requirement
Either the first 90 or the last 30 semester hours of degree work must be completed in continuous, uninterrupted residence at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Work done at the Springfield or Urbana-Champaign campuses of the University of Illinois does not satisfy this requirement. Credit earned through proficiency examinations, including credit earned through the College Level Examination Program (CLEP), UIC extension courses, and Urbana-Champaign correspondence, does not apply toward the minimum 30 semester hour residence requirement.
 
Transfer Credits
Courses completed at other institutions may be applied in partial fulfillment of graduation requirements and as prerequisites for courses at UIC. The College determines the transfer hours that apply toward the degree. Courses listed for credit on a Student Profile, Academic Advising Document, Degree Audit Report, or transcripts are not necessarily accepted for the degree.
 
Advanced Hour Rule
During the junior and senior years, a student must earn at least 30 hours in advanced level courses at the University of Illinois at Chicago.
 
Grade Point Average
To be eligible for graduation, a student must have earned a cumulative grade point average of 2.50/4.00 in all course work and a cumulative grade point average of 3.00/4.00 in the professional course sequence.

College Connection Course

All new freshmen and transfer students enroll in College Connection, a course taken the first semester of enrollment. The freshman course has two components taken in the fall (ED 151) and spring (ED 152) semesters, and focuses on strategies to facilitate the transition from high school to college by helping students develop specific skills and resources for success in college. Transfer students take a one- semester course, ED 153, which serves to facilitate transition from community college and other four year institutions, and will focus on issues relevant to transfer students. These courses help students make a positive adjustment, facilitate their integration into the UIC community, and encourage career exploration. The courses serve as an advisory to emphasize the College mission and connection to the College, campus, and Chicago communities. College Connection will help students:

• Set personal and academic goals
• Recognize specific skills and resources as strategies for success in college
• Recognize the importance of campus based support programs
• Explore College of Education curriculum and understand all degree requirements
• Establish good study skills and patterns for life-long learning
• Learn to think critically
• Develop a sense of belonging and actively participate in the UIC community
• Understand the value of diversity and living in a diverse learning community
• Understand how to access university resources
• Develop career goals

The freshman College Connection course is taught by your academic adviser who will advise you through to graduation. Your adviser is not only your instructor, but will also help you navigate your program and connect you with the resources you need to be successful. The transfer College Connection course is taught by Frank Collaso, Director of Recruitment and Retention, fcollaso@uic.edu. The College of Education encourages collaboration and the strong bonding between students, faculty, and administrators. College Connection creates a sense of community, and you will get to know your fellow students who will journey through the program with you.

Our Elementary Education concentration offers a rich curriculum that includes fieldwork and student teaching in an urban school. Not only will students be prepared to earn their Type 03 teaching certificate, but they can add endorsements and other options to that certificate, as well.