FAQs about Candidacy
Declaration of Candidacy for Urban Education students
Rules and standards for teacher licensure in Illinois are set by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE). Requirements for candidacy and licensure may change at the discretion of ISBE or Illinois state legislature at any time, but we try to keep this section as up to date as possible.
Undergraduates who are enrolled in the BA Urban Education - Elementary Education program are closely advised through the process by their student advisors and faculty, as well as UIC's Council on Teacher Education (CTE).
Fall Candidacy Application Deadline: April 1
Please see the Council on Teacher Education site for further instructions.
Step 1 to Licensure: Candidacy and Fieldwork
All students pursuing the BA in Urban Education are required to complete academic and non-academic requirements to obtain licensure. Non-academic requirements include:
- Milestone 1: Admission to Candidacy
- Milestone 2: Admission to Student Teaching
- Milestone 3: Initiate Licensure
Academic requirements can be found in the Academic Catalogue.
Frequently asked questions and answers about applying to candidacy and fieldwork can be found below. If you have more questions, contact your academic advisor.
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How does the COVID-19 pandemic affect the service requirement for licensure?
Due to the pandemic and the state waiver of certain licensure requirements during this time, the 50 service hours requirement for Spring 2021 candidacy declaration in the BA Urban Education program is waived. You do not have to complete 50 hours for candidacy submission in the spring of 2021. Please note, this is a temporary waiver and only applies to those students submitting candidacy declaration materials for Spring 2021 review.
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What is candidacy?
Candidacy is the professional portion of the Urban Education major, which includes work and observation inside elementary school classrooms.
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What requirements do I need to have in order to declare candidacy?
You will need:
- 60 semester hours of REQUIRED courses
- Minimum 2.5 GPA (all UIC and transfer work are included in the GPA)
- Minimum 2.5 GPA in all subject matters (Math, Science, English, Social Science)
- Minimum 2.5 GPA in Area of Specialization
- 50 service learning hours
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What is the deadline to declare candidacy for urban education majors?
The deadline is April 1 in order to begin the following Fall semester.
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When can I declare candidacy?
Most students declare candidacy in the spring of their second (sophomore) year to be eligible to begin work in the fall. Candidacy begins only in the fall semesters. Students apply in the spring semester prior to the fall of beginning candidacy.
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Is the ACT/SAT/TAP required to declare candidacy?
No. The state of Illinois no longer requires the test to be completed prior to beginning candidacy. However, this test is required in order to student teach. It is recommended, although not required, to have a passing score on file at the time of declaration to candidacy.
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How do I get my scores on file with the Illinois State Board of Education?
You will need to create an Educator Licensure Information System (ELIS) and have your ACT/SAT/TAP. Use the following website for more information: www.isbe.net
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How do I super-score?
Please refer to the Illinois State Board of Education website and/or UICs Council on Teacher Education website (cte.uic.edu).
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How do I send my scores to ISBE?
Please refer to the Illinois State Board of Education website and/or UICs Council on Teacher Education website.
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Can I apply with courses remaining?
Yes. However, ALL courses must be completed by the end of the summer term. Specific date will be shared with student as available.
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Where can I do my 50 service learning hours?
50 service learning hours must be completed at ONE location, in a school setting (preferably CPS) working with a diverse group of learners between the ages of 6-13. Non-CPS schools should meet the requirement of a Title I school. Work with private schools will not meet this requirement.
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When do the 50 service learning hours need to be completed?
The hours must accompany the declaration of candidacy and are required to be submitted by the deadline date.
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Where do I find the Declaration of Candidacy?
Please see the UIC Council on Teacher Education (CTE) website and follow the instructions.
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What days am I required to be available once I begin candidacy?
Junior Year Candidacy Fall Schedule
Junior (3rd) Year Fall Courses are held on campus Monday and Tuesday. You are required to be available from 9:00am to 9:00pm.
Junior Year Fall Fieldwork is held on Wednesday and Thursday. You are required to be available from 7:30am until 3:30pm.
Junior Year Candidacy Spring Schedule
Junior Year Spring Courses are held on campus Monday and Thursday. You are required to be available from 9:00am to 9:00pm.
Junior Year Spring Fieldwork is held on Tuesday and Wednesday. You are required to be available from 7:30am until 3:30pm.
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Where will I do fieldwork?
All students are placed in schools in which we have longstanding relationships. We have a number of schools that we place our students to complete the required hours of fieldwork.
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Can I complete my fieldwork in a school by my house?
Unfortunately, students cannot self-select the schools in which they are placed. We formulate relationships with our selected community schools and we complete extensive training with all mentor teachers to help familiarize them with our program requirements and goals.