- Semester Hour Requirement
- Course Requirements
- Other Requirements
- Academic Load
- Academic Notice and Dismissal Rules
- Change of Course Schedule—Dropping Courses
- Change of Major
- Class Attendance
- Closed Courses
- Course Prerequisites
- Credit for Prior Learning
- Credit/No Credit Option
- Declaring a Major
- Double Major, Double Degrees, and Second Bachelor’s Degree
- Graduate-Level Course for Undergraduate Credit
- Independent Study
- Petition Procedure
- Proficiency Examinations
- Registration Approval
- Repeat Policy for Standard Graded Courses
- Transferring
- Advising Policy
- College Honors
- Dean’s List
- Middle School Endorsement for Secondary Education Programs
Introduction
The College of Education (COE) offers two degree programs. The Bachelor of Arts in Urban Education leads to a State of Illinois Professional Educator License (PEL) in Elementary Education (Grades 1–6). The Bachelor of Arts in Human Development and Learning (HDL) is appropriate for students who have an interest in working with individuals from infancy to adulthood and from diverse groups and/or communities. The BA in HDL is not an Illinois Professional Educator licensure program.
Degree Requirements
Semester Hour Requirement
The College of Education semester hour requirement is determined by program:
| Major | School | Degree Conferred | Total Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Urban Education | Curriculum and Instruction | BA in Urban Education | 120 |
| Human Development and Learning | Educational Psychology | BA in Human Development and Learning | 120 |
Course Requirements
See academic department sections for specific course requirements.
General Education Core
General Education at UIC is designed to serve as a foundation for lifelong learning. Students are required to complete a minimum of 24 semester hours in the General Education Core with at least one course from each of the following categories:
- Analyzing the Natural World
- Understanding the Individual and Society
- Understanding the Past
- Understanding the Creative Arts
- Exploring World Cultures
- Understanding U.S. Society
For a description and a list of courses for each General Education Core category, students should consult the General Education section of the catalog. Information on meeting the General Education requirements for Education programs is listed in the academic department sections.
General Education Proficiencies—University Writing Requirement and Quantitative Reasoning Requirement
College of Education students must meet the University Writing Requirement and the Quantitative Reasoning Requirement.
University Writing Requirement
Students must earn a passing grade in ENGL 160 and ENGL 161 .
Quantitative Reasoning Requirement
Students in the Human Development and Learning program should consult the Human Development and Learning section for information on meeting this requirement. To satisfy the Quantitative Reasoning Requirement in the Urban Education program, students must complete MATH 140 and MATH 141 with a GPA of 2.50/4.00 in these courses.
Other Requirements
Students must complete the 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 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 reenrollment. If courses originally required are no longer offered, the college has the prerogative of specifying substitutes. Students in the BA in Urban Education program should be aware that changes occurring in state licensure requirements may necessitate additional coursework.
Course Level Requirement
During the junior and senior years, a student must earn a total of at least 30 hours in advanced-level courses (300-level or above) at the University of Illinois Chicago or any other accredited four-year college or university.
Coursework Limitations
Coursework that duplicates previous credit does not count toward graduation. Credit is not given for a course in which a failing grade is received.
Full-Time Enrollment
BA in Urban Education
During the first two years of study, students are provided with opportunities to select courses from the Urban Education Core Curriculum. After candidacy, students will be required to register for specific coursework each semester while enrolled. The program requires full-time enrollment.
BA in Human Development and Learning
Full-time enrollment in the BA in Human Development in Learning is recommended, but not required.
Grade Point Average (GPA) Requirement
For the BA in Human Development and Learning, students must have at least a 2.00/4.00 grade point average in all work taken at the University of Illinois Chicago, in all work taken in the major field, and in all work accepted by the university (transfer work plus work taken at UIC).
For the BA in Urban Education program, a student must have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.50/4.00, a GPA of 2.50/4.00 across select courses in core content areas (English, mathematics, science, and social studies), and a GPA of at least 3.00/4.00 in the professional education courses.
Graduation Declaration/Filing to Graduate
Students declare their intent to graduate online using my.UIC. The deadline for submission to the Pending Degree List is the end of the third week (fall and spring) or second week (summer) of the term in which graduation is sought. Failure to submit the request at this time may delay the awarding of the degree. A final review will be made following the close of the term. If a student has satisfactorily completed all the degree requirements, the student’s name will be placed on the official degree list.
Enrollment Residence Requirement
Either the first 90 or the last 30 semester hours of degree work must be completed in continuous, uninterrupted enrollment residence at the University of Illinois Chicago. Concurrent attendance at the University of Illinois Chicago and another collegiate institution, or enrollment during the summer at another institution, when approved by the student’s college, does not interrupt the UIC enrollment residence requirement for graduation. 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 courses, does not apply toward the minimum 30 semester hour enrollment residence requirement.
Transfer Credit
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 transcript are not necessarily accepted for the degree.
Transfer Credit for Continuing Students
The College of Education may permit concurrent registration at a transfer institution. Please consult an academic advisor in the Office of Student Services (OSS), 3145 ETMSW.
College Policies
Academic Load
To be considered full time, a student must be enrolled in a minimum of 12 semester hours each semester. During the regular academic year a course load exceeding 18 hours (12 hours in the summer) must be approved in the College of Education. Please consult an academic advisor in the Office of Students Services (OSS), 3145 ETMSW.
In addition, some education courses require fieldwork, which means that students will spend a significant amount of time participating in other education settings (e.g., local schools, community centers). The nature and extent of the fieldwork varies from course to course.
Academic Notice and Dismissal Rules
Education faculty evaluate each student’s progress through semester reviews.
Term Notice Rules
BA in Human Development and Learning Term Notice
A student in the BA in Human Development and Learning program who is not currently on academic notice or term notice will be placed on term notice at the end of any term in which the student earns less than a 2.00/4.00 grade point average but whose UIC grade point average is equal to or greater than a 2.00/4.00. For such a student, term notice serves as a warning. A student on term notice who earns a UIC Term GPA of at least 2.00/4.00 will be removed from term notice.
BA in Urban Education Term Notice
A student in the BA in Urban Education program who is not currently on academic notice or term notice will be placed on term notice at the end of any term in which the student earns less than a 2.50/4.00 grade point average but whose UIC grade point average is equal to or greater than a 2.50/4.00. For such a student, term notice serves as a warning. A student on term notice who earns a UIC Term GPA of at least 2.50/4.00 will be removed from term notice.
A student in the BA in Urban Education program who is not currently on academic notice or term notice will be placed on term notice at the end of any term in which the student earns less than a 3.00/4.00 Elementary Education Concentration grade point average but whose UIC grade point average is equal to or greater than a 2.50/4.00. For such a student, term notice serves as a warning. A student on term notice who earns a UIC Elementary Education Concentration Term GPA of at least 3.00/4.00 will be removed from term notice.
Academic Notice Rules
BA in Human Development and Learning Academic Notice
The following Academic Notice Rules apply to the BA in Human Development and Learning program:
- A student not currently on academic notice will be placed on academic notice at the end of any term in which the student earns a cumulative or UIC GPA less than a 2.00/4.00. For such a student, academic notice serves as a warning.
- An entering transfer student may be placed on academic notice when admitted by petition with cumulative GPA lower than 2.00/4.00.
- A student readmitted by petition may be placed on academic notice with a UIC GPA lower than 2.00/4.00.
- A student readmitted by petition may be placed on academic notice when admitted with a combined cumulative GPA from UIC and other institutions that is lower than 2.00/4.00.
A student on academic notice who earns a GPA of at least 2.00/4.00 in a given term will be removed from academic notice, provided the student’s cumulative GPA in all work taken at UIC is at least 2.00/4.00. Further, for the student with transfer credit, the combined average of the student’s transfer credit and UIC coursework must also be at least a 2.00/4.00.
A student currently on academic notice will be continued on academic notice when the one of the following occurs:
- The student meets the GPA required by the conditions of their academic notice but does not raise the cumulative UIC GPA to at least 2.00/4.00; or
- The student meets the GPA required by the conditions of their academic notice but does not raise the combined average of the student’s transfer credit and UIC coursework to at least 2.00/4.00.
The dean of the student’s college determines the conditions of academic notice. In addition to specifying the GPA, the dean may require the completion of specific courses, may limit the number of hours for which the student registers, and may exclude the student from taking certain courses while on academic notice.
BA in Urban Education Academic Notice
The following Academic Notice Rules apply to the BA in Urban Education program:
- A student not currently on academic notice will be placed on academic notice at the end of any term in which the student earns a cumulative or UIC GPA less than a 2.50/4.00 or has an Elementary Education Concentration GPA less than a 3.00/4.00. For such a student, academic notice serves as a warning.
- An entering transfer student may be placed on academic notice when admitted by petition with cumulative GPA lower than 2.50/4.00.
- A student readmitted by petition may be placed on academic notice with a UIC GPA lower than 2.50/4.00.
- A student readmitted by petition may be placed on academic notice when admitted with a combined cumulative GPA from UIC and other institutions that is lower than 2.50/4.00.
A student on academic notice who earns a GPA of at least 2.50/4.00 in a given term and an Elementary Education Concentration GPA of at least 3.00/4.00 will be removed from academic notice, provided the student’s cumulative GPA in all work taken at UIC is at least 2.50/4.00 and the Elementary Education Concentration GPA is at least 3.00/4.00. Further, for the student with transfer credit, the combined average of the student’s transfer credit and UIC coursework must also be at least a 2.50/4.00.
A student currently on academic notice will be continued on academic notice when the one of the following occurs:
- The student meets the GPA required by the conditions of their academic notice but does not raise the cumulative UIC GPA to at least 2.50/4.00 and the Elementary Education Concentration GPA to at least 3.00/4.00; or
- The student meets the GPA required by the conditions of their academic notice but does not raise the combined average of the student’s transfer credit and UIC coursework to at least 2.50/4.00 and the Elementary Education Concentration GPA to at least 3.00/4.00.
The dean of the student’s college determines the conditions of academic notice. In addition to specifying the GPA, the dean may require the completion of specific courses, may limit the number of hours for which the student registers, and may exclude the student from taking certain courses while on academic notice.
Dismissal Rules
BA in Human Development and Learning and BA in Urban Education
For students in both the BA in Human Development and Learning program and the BA in Urban Education program:
- A student on academic notice may be dismissed from the university in any term in which the student fails to meet the grade point average required by the academic notice and in which the cumulative GPA in courses taken at UIC is less than 2.00/4.00.
- A student on academic notice may be dismissed from the university in any term in which the student fails to meet the GPA required by the academic notice and in which the combined transfer and UIC grade point average is less than 2.00/4.00.
- A student who fails to meet the terms of academic notice or is on academic notice for two consecutive terms will be dismissed.
- A student who is dismissed will not be considered for readmission to the College of Education until after a lapse of at least one year.
- A student who fails to make progress toward a degree may be dismissed. Examples include failure to complete required courses, accumulation of an excessive number of Incomplete grades, failure to earn credit in any semester, failure to meet the minimum grade point average, and/or inadequate professional performance as judged by program faculty.
Change of Course Schedule—Dropping Courses
Undergraduate students may drop courses using my.UIC through the end of the second week of classes for fall and spring semesters, the first Wednesday of Summer Session 1, or the first Friday of Summer Session 2. During weeks 3 through 10 of the fall and spring semesters (first Thursday through the third Wednesday of Summer Session 1 or weeks 2 through 5 of Summer Session 2), students may drop courses with the permission of their major college. If the drop occurs between 0 and 2 weeks in fall and spring, there will be no notation on the transcript. If the drop occurs during weeks 3 through 10 in fall and spring (first Thursday through the second Wednesday of Summer Session 1 or weeks 2 through 5 of Summer Session 2), a W is noted on the transcript. Undergraduate students may drop a maximum of 4 UIC individual courses that result in a W notation on their transcript during their entire undergraduate degree program.
Change of Major
At the undergraduate level, the College of Education offers the BA in Urban Education and the BA in Human Development and Learning. To change majors, please meet with an academic advisor in the Office of Student Services to discuss the specific program requirements and the application process.
Class Attendance
The class attendance policy is generally stated on the course syllabus. The College of Education encourages students to contact the instructor of the course if class will not be attended on a specific date. Excessive absences from class and/or fieldwork and/or student teaching may result in dismissal from the program.
Closed Courses
Classes that are closed will not be overenrolled. Please consult the advisor in OSS, 3145 ETMSW, for further information.
Course Prerequisites
Course prerequisites will not be waived. Please consult the advisor in OSS, 3145 ETMSW, for further information.
Credit for Prior Learning
In accordance with Illinois Public Act 102-0174, Prior Learning Credit may be awarded to College of Education students after documentation of prior learning has been evaluated and assessed. The College of Education may award a maximum of 12 semester hours of credit for Prior Learning Experience. Credit awarded for Prior Learning Credit will not receive a letter grade and can be applied towards graduation credit.
Please contact the Office of Student Services for more information on the specific requirements of prior learning credit.
Credit/No Credit Option
None of the required courses in the College of Education may be taken on the credit/no credit option.
Declaring a Major
The major will be declared upon admission to the College of Education.
Double Major, Double Degrees, and Second Bachelor’s Degree
Double Major
The College of Education does not permit double majors. Please consult the advisor in the Office of Student Services, 3145 ETMSW, for further information.
Double Degrees
Students interested in this option should consult the Office of Students Services in 3145 ETMSW.
Second Bachelor’s Degree
Applicants who have already earned a bachelor’s degree are strongly encouraged to apply to a graduate program or consult an advisor.
Graduate-Level Course for Undergraduate Credit
Please consult the advisor in OSS, 3145 ETMSW, for further information.
Independent Study
Enrollment in an independent study course is limited to students with junior or senior standing. A student may apply a maximum of 8 hours of independent study toward graduation requirements. Please consult the advisor in OSS, 3145 ETMSW, for further information.
Petition Procedure
Any rule, regulation, or action of the college may be appealed through the use of the undergraduate student petition. These petitions are submitted to the associate dean for student affairs. Petitions are available in the College of Education Office of Student Services, 3145 ETMSW. Please consult the advisor in OSS, 3145 ETMSW, for further information. Licensure program requirements may be appealed through the CTE petition process with proof of extenuating circumstances. The petition form and an explanation of the process can be found at on the CTE website. Requirements of the State of Illinois cannot be appealed.
Proficiency Examinations
Please consult the advisor in OSS, 3145 ETMSW, for further information.
Registration Approval
To be eligible to register or change of course schedule, a College of Education student must secure written approval from the College of Education academic advisor in the Office of Student Services, 3145 ETMSW.
Repeat Policy for Standard Graded Courses
Students may repeat a course to increase their knowledge of the subject matter. There are circumstances under which repeating a course is advisable and to a student’s advantage. There are also circumstances where repeating a course may disadvantage a student and narrow a student’s options. The College of Education requires students to discuss any plan to repeat a course with their academic advisor and the Office of Student Financial Aid before they register to repeat the course.
Courses with A or B grades may not be repeated. Normally, courses with a C grade may not be repeated. Courses from the Common Core Curriculum with D or F grades may be repeated once. In all cases, the original grade for the course and the grade for each repeat will appear on the transcript. The original grade and the grade for each repeat will be calculated into the grade point average. Only one registration for the course counts toward the total number of credits required for graduation. A course cannot be repeated after receiving credit in a course for which the repeat course is a prerequisite.
To repeat a course more than once requires written permission from the student’s college dean. Students who have been dismissed may not appeal on the grounds of intention to repeat courses. Certain courses may not be repeated; students should consult their college before repeating a course.
Undergraduate Grade Point Average Recalculation Policy
- Colleges may elect to implement this policy as early as the end of the junior year, or as late as the final semester during degree certification.
- The college will evaluate each student unable to graduate because of an academic grade point average deficit. The deficit may occur in the UIC GPA, the program GPA, or both.
- The academic record is examined so as to determine if courses, deemed appropriate by each college, with grades of F or grades of D, may be excluded from the student’s grade point average.
- A total of four courses may be excluded, with one course excluded at a time until the necessary quality points are obtained to meet the UIC GPA requirement and/or degree program minimum GPA. The semester hours associated with excluded course grades will not count towards graduation requirements.
- Only the college can initiate course exclusions, and only in consultation with the evaluated student.
- Students may not request exclusions.
- Only courses taken at UIC may be converted as part of this policy.
- This policy only applies to undergraduate degree seeking students.
- All courses taken and all grades will remain on the official transcript.
- The grade exclusion policy does not apply to courses failed as the result of a student conduct hearing.
- In cases where these procedures would impact program accreditation, licensure or similar, colleges may use their discretion to allow the policy. Colleges, departments, and programs may have discretion in choosing courses that impact the student’s major.
Transferring
Intercollege Transfer Students
Both the BA in Urban Education and the BA in Human Development and Learning accept transfer students. More information may also be obtained from the Office of Student Services (OSS), 3145 ETMSW or by going directly to the College of Education website.
Transfer Students from Other Colleges and Universities
Students wishing to transfer from another college must apply for admission. Consult the previous section. Application information on applying may also be obtained from the OSS, 3145 ETMSW. See the Office of Admission Transfer Guide for more information about transfer admission requirements.
Transferring out of the College
Students wishing to transfer from the College of Education to another college should follow the procedures of the other college.
Minors
The College of Education offers the following minor. Please see departmental listings for more information.
| Minor | Department | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Minor in Education | College of Education | 12 |
| Minor in Instructional Design and Training | Department of Educational Psychology | 12-18 |
Academic Advising
Advisors are located in the:
College of Education
Office of Student Services
3145 ETMSW
(312) 996-4532
Advising Policy
The College of Education has mandatory advising for all students. Students are required to meet with an advisor each semester, and have their coursework approved to be eligible to register. All students admitted to the College of Education are required to attend a mandatory program orientation to become familiar with expectations and student responsibilities. Students must attend the orientation to be eligible to register for first semester courses. Orientations are announced upon acceptance into the College of Education.
Academic Honors
College Honors
A student who has demonstrated outstanding academic excellence throughout the undergraduate program may be eligible for graduation with College Honors. Students will be considered for the distinction—graduation with College Honors—during the semester in which minimum graduation requirements are fulfilled. Those students who meet each of the following criteria will graduate with College Honors:
- The student must earn a cumulative grade point average of 3.50/4.00. The cumulative grade point average includes work completed at UIC.
- The student must be on the Dean’s List for two consecutive semesters prior to the semester of graduation.
Graduation with High Honors will be awarded to any student who meets each of the following criteria:
- The student must be eligible for graduation with College Honors.
- The student must earn a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.75/4.00. The cumulative grade point average includes all work completed at UIC.
Dean’s List
Outstanding academic achievement in the College of Education is recognized by inclusion on the Dean’s List. Eligibility is based on a 3.50/4.00 term grade point average with a program of 12 semester hours of letter grades in a semester. If any additional coursework is taken on a credit/no credit basis, a grade of CR must be earned. A cumulative grade point average of 2.50/4.00 for 60 hours and above as well as clear academic status must be maintained for Dean’s List eligibility.
Special Programs and Opportunities
Please consult the advisor in OSS, 3145 ETMSW, for further information.
Licensure
See the Council on Teacher Education section for information on teacher licensure.
Secondary Education Program
The University of Illinois Chicago offers several secondary teacher education programs located in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS). Through LAS, the student can study the Teaching of English, Teaching of French, Teaching of German, Teaching of History, Teaching of Mathematics, and Teaching of Spanish. The programs provide for the development of a major field of study with an emphasis on teaching. Please consult the home college for more information about these degree requirements.
At the undergraduate level, the College of Education offers the BA in Urban Education leading to the State of Illinois Professional Educator Licensure in Elementary Education (Grades 1–6) and the coursework required for a subsequent endorsement in Early Childhood Education (Birth - 2nd grade).
Licensure in the teaching of biology, chemistry, physics, environmental science, or earth and space sciences is available through the College of Education in the MEd in Instructional Leadership: Science Education.
Contact the appropriate department for more information on content specific programs.
Middle School Endorsement for Secondary Education Programs
Teacher candidates wishing to teach in the middle grades (5–8) should take additional coursework, even though the Standard Secondary License states eligibility for teaching in grades 6–12. Please note that the State of Illinois is in the process of revising middle school endorsement requirements and additional coursework may be required. Be advised that changes may occur without notice and will be effective immediately. Additional information may be obtained from the College of Education Office of Student Services, 3145 ETMSW, (312) 996-4532. For information on how the middle grades can be added to the Grades 1–6 Professional Educator License, please consult the BA in Urban Education in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction section of the catalog.
