FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

General Program Questions

Q:  When do classes start?
Classes begin at various times throughout the year. Start dates include January, March, June, September, and October.  Deadlines are posted on NTEC’s website but are generally 5 to 6 weeks before the start date.

Q:  Where are the classes held?
The program is offered in three Chicago area locations:  Chicago, Aurora, and Waukegan.  Most coursework is online but there are also face-to-face seminars.  Class locations are listed in the course outline.

Q:  Is financial aid available?
Yes. All students who are citizens or permanent residents of the U.S. are eligible to apply for financial aid through Quincy University.

Q: How do I apply for financial aid?
Complete the FAFSA form online at www.fafsa.ed.gov and use Quincy University’s school code 001745.

Q:  Who is the academic partner?
All programs offered through NTEC are provided by Quincy University.  You will be a student at Quincy University and will earn your degree and license through Quincy University.  You will not need to travel to Quincy. Courses are offered in a blended face-to-face / online format with classes meeting at three Chicago area locations.

Master of Science in Education (MSE) Program – Alternative Certification Track

Q:  What is the alternative certification program and how does it work?
The Alternative Certification Program is an on-the-job teacher certification program.  Participants earn a teaching license while working as the full-time paid teacher of record in an Illinois or Wisconsin classroom. Candidates complete one semester of coursework including a two-week teaching practicum and pass the State certification exams. At that point, candidates are eligible to teach as the full-time paid teacher of record in an Illinois or Wisconsin classroom. During their first year of teaching, candidates complete two additional semesters of coursework and then earn an initial teaching license.  The program is offered at the graduate level so candidates can go on to complete their Master’s degree with an additional 18 credits after they earn their initial license. The program is offered in bilingual education, special education, math, and biology.

Q:  How long is the program?
The certification portion of the program is three semesters; one semester prior to entering the classroom and two semesters completed while working as a full time paid teacher.  Once they earn their license, candidates may complete two (2) additional full-time semesters (18 credits) to earn a Master of Science in Education from Quincy.

Q:  How long does it take to earn my teaching license in the alternative certification program?
You will need to successfully complete three (3) semesters of the program to earn your license. Teaching groups begin each spring and resume in the fall, when district classes resume. On average, the certification program takes 12 to 16 months.

Q:  What license/certification will I earn?
MSE Alternative track license/certification is offered in:

•    Special Education
•    Bilingual Elementary education
•    Secondary Math or Biology

In some circumstances, elementary candidates may also participate in the Alternative Certification Track. At the end of the program, Illinois candidates will earn an Initial Alternative License. That license is equivalent to the Initial Educator License that candidates in a traditional certification program earn, but does have a different number.
Wisconsin Candidates will earn an Initial Educator License.

Q:  Can I work while I participate in the alternative certification program?
Yes. All classes are held in the evening, and you will be able to keep a day job. During the second and third semesters of the program, successful candidates are placed in a classroom as the teacher of record and earn a full-time teaching salary. During the first semester of the program (the Jump Start semester), there is no paid classroom placement. You are free to keep your current job until you are placed in a classroom in the fall.

Q:  Will I be paid while working as a teacher in the alternative certification program?
Yes. All candidates placed in the classroom are designated as the teacher of record. As such, you will earn the salary and benefits of a starting teacher for the district in which you are placed.

Q:  How many credits is the alternative certification program?
The alternative certification track of the MSE program is 33 credits over three semesters.  To earn your MSE, you must complete an additional 18 credits.

Bachelor’s Completion Program

Q:  What is the bachelor’s completion program?
The Bachelor’s completion program allows candidates who have an Associate of Arts (AA) or Associate of Science (AS) degree or 55 credits toward their AA or to earn a bachelor’s degree and a teaching license in as little as 19 months.

Q:  How much does it cost?
Bachelor’s completion program costs $300 per credit hour

Q:  What license/certification will I earn?
Bachelor’s Completion program offer license in:

•    Elementary Education
•    Elementary Education with a Special Education Approval, or
•    Special Education

Note: The Special Education program takes longer to complete than the Elementary Education Program and the Elementary Education with a Special Education Approval Program.
A Bilingual or ESL Endorsement is available with both these licenses.

Q:  How long will it take to complete the program?
Candidates in the Elementary Education Program and or the Elementary Education with a Special Education Approval Program can complete the program in as little as 19 months of full time study, including the summer terms. Candidates in the Special Education Program will need to take four (4) additional courses.

Q:  Can I transfer more than 55 credits?
Yes, your transcript will be reviewed by the Quincy University registrar to determine the number of credits that qualify for transfer.  Thirty semester hours must be completed through Quincy University, including 21 hours in the major, and a minimum of 56 semester hours must be earned from a 4-year college or university.

Q:  Will I need to complete a student teaching assignment?
Yes. During your final semester of coursework, you will need to complete an unpaid, student teaching assignment during normal school hours.

Master of Science in Education (MSE) Program – Traditional Track

Q:  What is the MSE - Traditional Track program and how does it work?
Students in the traditional certification program are able to complete their masters in four or five, full-time semesters, including an unpaid student teaching assignment during their final semester.  This can be accomplished in as little as 18 months with full-time enrollment including summers.  Students earn their degree and teacher certification at the end of the program after student teaching.

Q:  Can I keep my job while I’m completing this program?
Yes, the program is structured for students working full-time.  The format is blended with a face-to-face seminar once a week and the remainder is online.  However, during your student teaching in the final semester, you must be available during normal school hours and cannot be compensated during that time.

Q:  How long is the program?
It can take as few as 18 months, full-time, including summers.

Q:  How much does it cost?
The cost of the Master’s programs is $395 per credit hour. 

Q: What certification/license will I earn?
You may earn a license in Special Education, Elementary Education, Secondary Biology, or Math.  All programs are offered with an option for a Bilingual or an ESL endorsement.

Master of Science in Education (MSE) Program – for Licensed Teachers

Q:  What programs do you have for licensed teachers?
NTEC in partnership with Quincy University offers a Master of Science in Education (MSE) as well as either a Reading, Bilingual, or ESL endorsement.

Q:  How long is the program?
The program is 36 credits and can be completed in as few as 16 months with continuous enrollment.

Q:  How does it work?
Coursework is offered in a blended format of face-to-face seminars and online courses. The program is structured for adults who have a full-time job.

Q:  How much does it cost?
The cost is $395 per credit hour.  The total cost of the Master's program is $14,220.