The South Cook Teacher Residency Program was designed in collaboration with the South Cook Intermediate Service Center, a regional office that provides educational services to 66 public school districts and stakeholders in south suburban Cook County. The goal of the program is to provide full-time substitutes, paraprofessionals and teaching assistants working in south suburban Cook County with an affordable and high-quality pathway to an MA degree and teacher licensure in Elementary Education. The program launched in Summer 2021 and is currently seeking applicants for a new cohort.
Benefits of the program
- Job-embedded learning. Because the SCTR is an alternative licensure program enables full-time subs and teaching assistants are eligible to become teachers of record while preparing to earn teacher licensure.
- Flexibility. To meet the needs of working adults, courses are offered face-to-face in the summer semester at South Cook ISC. During the fall and spring semesters, courses are offered in the evening using Zoom.
- Affordability. Residents receive a reduced tuition rate that remains fixed over the two-year period of study.
- Individualized support. Each resident receives a school and university mentor who provides high quality coaching through intensive clinical experiences.
Admission process
To earn admission, applicants must meet the following criteria by the deadline of February 1:
- Attend an information session. Attendance at an information session is required for admission. Register for a November, December or January information session.
- Register for ILTS Content Exam #305. Registering for the ILTS content exam for elementary education is a requirement for admission. Applicants who submit an application for admission before January 15 will receive a voucher that will enable them to register for the exam for free. Register for ILTS Content Exam #305.
- Submit official transcripts to Roosevelt University. During the admission process, transcripts will be reviewed to determine eligibility for admission to the alternative licensure program. Please send all transcripts to admissionforms@roosevelt.edu or to:
Roosevelt University
Office of Admission Processing
1400 N. Roosevelt Blvd. Schaumburg, IL 60173
- Submit an application for graduate admission. An application for admission to Roosevelt’s MA degree program in Elementary Education is required by the deadline of February 1. To earn admission, all applicants must be employed at districts affiliated with the South Cook ISC; have a BA or BS degree from an accredited college or university; have at least a 2.7 overall GPA at the undergraduate or graduate level; and submit evidence of their work experience and registration for ILTS Content Exam #305. Complete Roosevelt’s application for graduate admission.
Two additional items are required for admission:
- By Feb. 28, all applicants must participate in a group interview. Details will be communicated shortly after Feb. 1.
- By March 14, Roosevelt University must receive scores from the ILTS Content Exam #305. When applicants register for the exam, they should indicate that they want their test scores sent to Roosevelt University. There is no extra charge for this service.