Several unique features of our program support our commitment to young children with special needs and their families. All graduate-level classes take place in the evening. The early childhood special education program requires daytime commitments for observation, field experiences, internships, and, possibly, student teaching. The graduate student must be agreeable to a flexible schedule, especially in the second year, which may require additional daytime assignments. Most programs of study can be completed in two years of part-time study, but may take longer depending on the student's specific courses and interests.
All programs require a minimum two-year commitment to graduate study.
Elmhurst's graduate programs are built on a cohort, or team-focused, model based on our belief that students play a significant role in supporting one another's learning, motivation, and success. The students who begin a course of study in the Fall Term form a cohort that stays intact throughout the entire program. Cohort members work closely together in classroom work and study projects, supporting one another and helping one another maintain a sense of progress and achievement. Because of the vital role the cohort plays in each student's success, students are selected to complement one another in the learning process. Start Dates Graduate programs begin the week of August 27, 2001.