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Prospective Students
How much does tuition cost?
The full tuition cost for an advanced degree for employees of a partner district is $4,950 plus a non-refundable $50 application fee.
Effective July 1, 2008, tuition for Chicago Public Schools (CPS) staff participating in the M.Ed. in Educational Leadership or M.Ed. Curriculum & Instruction degree programs is $4,900, plus a $300 non-refundable district administration fee and a $50 non-refundable program application fee.
What are the admission requirements for enrollment?Effective July 1, 2008, tuition for Chicago Public Schools (CPS) staff participating in the M.Ed. in Educational Leadership or M.Ed. Curriculum & Instruction degree programs is $4,900, plus a $300 non-refundable district administration fee and a $50 non-refundable program application fee.
You must have at least a 2.75 GPA for your undergraduate degree or your highest postbaccalaureate degree. If
you have a lower GPA and you meet all other entrance requirements, you may be admitted provisionally.
You must supply documentation of your professional teaching experience (or a school services certificate) and completion of all state certification requirements.
If English is not your first language, you must demonstrate competence in the English language in one of three ways:
How do I prove my U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent resident status?You must supply documentation of your professional teaching experience (or a school services certificate) and completion of all state certification requirements.
If English is not your first language, you must demonstrate competence in the English language in one of three ways:
- Submit a diploma from a U.S. secondary school, college or university;
- Submit a diploma from a secondary school, college or university in a country that uses English as a primary means of instruction. Countries include Antigua, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, Botswana, Canada, Ethiopia, Falkland Islands, Gambia, Ghana, Great Britain, Grenada, Guyana, Iberia, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Micronesia, New Zealand, Nigeria, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, Solomon Islands, Philippines, Trinidad, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe; or
- Submit an official minimum score on the written or computer-based TOEFL® test. The minimum required TOEFL score is 550 for the written version and 213 for the computer-based version.
You have many options for documentation:
How do I obtain certified true copies of a Certificate of Naturalization?- Bureau of Indian Affairs/Tribal identification card
- U.S. Passport (current or expired), unless stamped non-citizen national
- Unexpired Foreign passport with U.S. Visa, with I-551 stamp or attached Certificate of U.S. Citizenship (Form N-560 or N-561) issued by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) through a federal or state court or through administrative naturalization after December 1990
- Certification of Naturalization (Form N-550 or N-570) issued by USCIS
- Permanent Certificate of Naturalization
- Resident Card with photograph (Form I-151) issued since 1997
- Resident Alien Card (Form I-551) issued before 1997
- Alien Registration Receipt Card with photograph (Form I-551) issued before June 1978
- U.S. Military card or draft record
- U.S. Armed Forces Driver’s License
- U.S. Social Security card issued by the Social Security Administration and valid photo ID
- U.S. Military DD-214 documentation ID Card for active duty, reserve or retired personnel, and valid photo ID
- Birth Certificate showing birth in the U.S., which includes Puerto Rico (on or after January 13, 1941), Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands (on or after January 17, 1917), American Samoa, Swains Island, or the Northern Mariana Islands (unless the person was born to foreign diplomats residing in the U.S.) and valid photo ID
- Affidavit of birth and valid photo ID
- Consular Report of Birth Abroad (Form FS-240) issued by the State Department and valid photo ID
- Certificate of Birth from Foreign Service Post (Form FS-545) issued by the State Department and valid photo ID
- Certification of Report of Birth (Form DS-1350) issued by the State Department and valid photo ID
- Refugee Travel Document (Form I-571) issued since 2003 and valid photo ID
- Form I-94 arrival/departure record with endorsement (expiration date must not have passed), stamp showing admission under section 207 (refugees) or section 208 (asylum) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, and valid photo ID
- Voter's registration card and valid photo ID
- Military dependent's ID card and valid photo ID
When a naturalized U.S. citizen needs to have a Certificate of Naturalization authenticated by the U.S. Department of State for use by foreign governments or embassies, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) can copy the document and certify it as a true copy. "Authentication" is a term used by the U.S. Department of State and other governments to describe what USCIS refers to as certified true copies. When you require a Certificate of Naturalization to be authenticated, be sure to use the term "certified true copy."
If you have the original document to be certified, make an appointment with your local USCIS office by using the InfoPass Appointment Scheduler on their website. Be sure to take your original naturalization certificate and a copy of it to your appointment. Also take another form of photo identification, such as a driver’s license or passport. A USCIS officer will review the documents and may certify the copy if it is possible to confirm your identity and status as a naturalized citizen.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), will provide certified true copies and return these with the supplied documentation to the requester. USCIS cannot act as an agent of the U.S. Department of State by accepting fees on behalf of other government agencies or forwarding documentation to any other government agency. All documentation coming from a requester, along with any documentation supplied by the Department of Homeland Security, will be returned to the requester.
How long are the courses and the program?If you have the original document to be certified, make an appointment with your local USCIS office by using the InfoPass Appointment Scheduler on their website. Be sure to take your original naturalization certificate and a copy of it to your appointment. Also take another form of photo identification, such as a driver’s license or passport. A USCIS officer will review the documents and may certify the copy if it is possible to confirm your identity and status as a naturalized citizen.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), will provide certified true copies and return these with the supplied documentation to the requester. USCIS cannot act as an agent of the U.S. Department of State by accepting fees on behalf of other government agencies or forwarding documentation to any other government agency. All documentation coming from a requester, along with any documentation supplied by the Department of Homeland Security, will be returned to the requester.
You take one 5-week course at a time. There are 12 courses in the 18-month program.
What are my payment options?Tuition is paid in advance, and there are three payment options:
What is the refund and withdraw policy?- Your district may agree to fund your tuition and offer you a payroll deduction plan to reimburse the district over time
- You may pay in full with a check, money order or credit card
- You may pay course by course
How do I take the Type 75 Administrative Certificate exam?
Take the exam after you complete the 18-month program. You will need to register to take the test at the Illinois State Board of Education.
Current Students
Account FAQs
How do I get my American College of Education username and password?
What happens if I don’t know or remember my new email username and/or password?
Courseware FAQsYour ACE username and password for starting your course will be sent to your ACE email account from Student Services. If you need further assistance, email support or call the helpdesk at 1-800-280-0307.
How do I obtain my username and password to access Student Records and Billing?What happens if I don’t know or remember my new email username and/or password?
Your username is your full email address, and your password is the same password you use to access your course. For example:
Name - John Smith
Email - john.smith@student.ace.edu
Password - the student number provided in John's Getting Started kit
Can I access my new American College of Education email on my school computer?Name - John Smith
Email - john.smith@student.ace.edu
Password - the student number provided in John's Getting Started kit
Yes. You can access your ACE email from any Internet-equipped computer with a standard browser.
Can I access my new American College of Education email from any location?No. You need a location that has access to the Internet and a standard browser.
How do I pay my bills?Please contact our business office for assistance:
1-800-280-0307
studentaccounts@ace.edu
Student Records
1-800-280-0307
studentaccounts@ace.edu
Student Records
What do I need to do in order to begin my degree program?.
Do I have to be connected to the Internet to learn from my course?
Coursework FAQsOnce you have been admitted into the American College of Education, you may begin your degree program with the next cohort of students after you do the following steps:
How many hours will it take each week to complete the readings, lectures, discussions and assignments?- Complete the online application and pay the application fee
- Submit the required documentation
- Select a payment option and verify that your course or program payment has been received by the Bursar’s Office before the first week of class
You should commit 10–15 hours a week, depending on your learning style. Course delivery accommodates working professionals by providing access to online and off-line content for anytime, anywhere learning.
How do I set up my American College of Education email account?Your acceptance letter from admissions provides instructions. Additional instructions
on how to set up your student account can be found here.
Additional assistance is available online. For help with your ACE email, username and
password, email Student Services or call 1-800-280-0307.
How do I obtain an American College of Education transcript?Go to Student Records and Billing, enter your username and password, and follow the provided instructions.
How do I navigate in the American College of Education course?
From the GoCourse Homepage:
How does the Course Homepage work?- Click once on the course title (located in the left column).
- Click once on the week in which you want to work.
- Click once on the task you wish to complete.
- Navigate backward or forward with the blue arrows in the top right corner of your screen.
- Click the small arrow to the left if the column is not visible.
- Click once on the plus sign (+) located next to the course title in the Course Navigation Panel.
- Click once on the plus sign (+) next to the week in which you want to work.
- Click once on the plus sign (+) next to a task in the lesson list.
- Click once on the icon next to the specific item in which you want to work.
- Navigate backward or forward using the blue arrows at the top right of your screen.
The Course Homepage provides an overview of the course and directs you to the five weeks in the course.
From the GoCourse Homepage:
How do I navigate through the Lectures?From the GoCourse Homepage:
- Click on the course title.
- Click the blue arrow button to start the introduction video. Make sure volume is on.
- Click "Syllabus" title on the Course Homepage to view general course information, due dates and grading criteria.
- Click "Welcome" to view a letter from your course professor.
- Click "Online Community" to open the course bulletin board.
- Click on specific weeks, located at the bottom of the screen, to view materials in a particular week.
From the Course Homepage:
What if the ProQuest database age pulls up instead of the reading?- Click on the week in which you want to work.
- Click on the "Lecture" box located on the left side of the screen.
- Use the blue arrows (located at the top right) to navigate through the week’s lectures.
If the ProQuest database pulls up, follow these steps:
What happens if I can’t print my materials on my GoCourse player?- Click on continue
- Type in the title or author
- Click on search or advanced search
Do I have to be connected to the Internet to learn from my course?
After your course is installed on your computer, an Internet connection only will be needed to:
How do I use the discussion forum?- Access online reading materials
- Submit and receive discussion items
- Participate in midterm and final exams
- Submit and receive feedback on assignments and assessment items
From the Course Homepage:
Where can I view a copy of the Lecture slides?- Click on a specific week.
- Click on the discussion box located at the left side of the screen.
- Click on the blue right arrow located at the top right of the screen.
- Click on "New Thread" at the top of the discussion screen to begin a discussion. Type your information in the text box and click "Post." The suggested font size is 14 or 16.
- To reply to a response, click on "Reply" in the right bottom corner of the text box. Type your response in the new text box and click “post”. Suggested font size is 14 or 16.
- Click on the arrows to the left of the discussion board window so that the arrows point down to expand the threads.
- From the Course Navigation Tree, double click on a specific week
- Click on the Plus Sign (+) located next to the discussion folder.
- Follow steps 3 – 6 above.
Follow these steps from the Course Home Page:
Where are the Progress Monitors?- Go to the Course Homepage.
- Click on a particular week.
- Click on the video box located at the left of the screen.
- Use the blue arrows located at the top right of the screen to navigate through the lecture slides.
- Click on the plus sign (+) located next to the course title.
- Click on the plus sign (+) located next to a particular week.
- Click on the plus sign (+) located next to the lecture folder.
- Use the blue arrows located at the bottom of the screen to navigate through the lecture slides.
A Reading Progress Monitor can be found after each week's Readings.
A Lecture Progress Monitor can be found after each week's lecture.
How do I access the Progress Monitors?
Progress Monitors can be accessed through the Course Homepage or the Course Navigation Panel.
From the Course Homepage:
How do I save and submit assignments?From the Course Homepage:
- Click on a particular week (located at the bottom of the page)
- Click on the "Readings" box for the Reading Progress Monitor or the "Video" box for the Lecture Progress Monitor.
- Use the blue arrows located at the top right of the screen to navigate through the readings and the lectures. The Reading Progress Monitor will follow the final Reading Screen and the Lecture Progress Monitor will follow the final Video Slide.
You must be connected to the Internet to submit assignments. Follow these steps:
How do I know my assignment has been submitted?- Once you have completed your assignment, open the assignment by clicking "Open" at the bottom of the screen.
- In the menu bar located at the top of your screen, click "File" and then click "Save." Caution: Do not click "Save As."
- Close your assignment by clicking the red "X" box located in the upper right corner of your screen above the menu bar.
- Click the "Submit" button located at the bottom of the assignment screen. Do not click "Submit" if you plan to make changes or edits to your assignment.
- If you attempt to submit your assignment past the due date, the "Submit" button will not allow you to do so. This is not due to a technology problem – you should contact your Academic Coach.
- After you have submitted your assignment, you will not be able to submit a revised document until the first one has been returned.
After you submit your assignment online, "Sent: 1 Item" will briefly appear and the "Submit" button will turn grey.
How do I check my grade?
From the GoCourse Homepage, click on the blue "Grade" link located under the course title.
How do I access my grades for previous courses?
All courses and grades previously downloaded before August 18 will still be accessible using the EPIC icon located on your desktop.
Log in to your MyACE account for anytime access to schedules, grades, course information, college news and updates.
How do I take an exam?Log in to your MyACE account for anytime access to schedules, grades, course information, college news and updates.
The multiple choice exams are open during an allocated time period. You may open and complete the exams anytime
during the time period; however, once you open the exams, you must complete and submit them within a designated amount of
time. Caution: Do not open your exam until you are prepared to begin working on it immediately. Be mindful that you only
have a certain amount of time to complete and submit your exams. Students must complete exams independently, and academic
honesty policies apply.
How do I save course readings?
From the Course Homepage:
How do I print materials from my course?- Click on a specific week.
- Click the "Readings" box located at the left side of the screen.
- Click the blue arrows at the top right to scroll through different readings.
- After opening the reading, click the disk icon located in the menu bar OR click "File" on the menu bar at the top of the screen.
- Click "Save As."
- Click "Desktop" to save the article to your computer desktop.
- To view the article later, click the "Opened File" icon located on the menu bar OR click "File" on the menu bar.
- Click "Open." Use the blue down arrow button if the word "Open" does not appear.
- Locate and click on the article.
Option 1:
How do I use the Backpack feature?- Go to your Course Map
- Click your Course Name
- Click the Resources tab
- Choose the Lecture Slides you would like view
- Choose the Save icon in the top left-hand corner to save a copy of the Lecture Slides to your computer. If you are working on an EPIC, you only will be able to view and save the Lecture Slides.
- Go to the Course PDF download page.
- Click on the Lecture Slides you wish to view
- The Lecture Slides will appear in a PDF document
- Use the Print icon in the left-hand corner of the document to print the Lecture Slides if you using a computer that allows you to print
- You can also use the Save icon in the left-hand corner of the document to save a copy of Lecture Slides to your computer
You can save course readings onto your computer by clicking on the backpack icon with a plus sign in its lower right corner and following these steps:
How do I expand Discussion threads?- Connect to the Internet
- Click on the reading
- Click on Add to Backpack on the top left of your screen
- To view readings later, click on the plain Backpack icon
Click on the arrows at the right of the discussion board window.
Can I toggle in and out of my exam?No. Before you begin your test, be prepared to complete it in a single setting.
When do my courses begin?
What are the titles of my courses?
General FAQsWhat are the titles of my courses?
You can view a current list of course titles by clicking on your chosen program under "Academic Programs" in the navigation menu, then clicking "Programs," followed by "Course Descriptions."
Can I graduate early by taking several courses at one time?Not at this time.
How does my internship work?It provides documented experience for Educational Leadership licensure and includes 120 hours of professional practice. Under the guidance of an administrative mentor and the Internship Director of the American College of Education, you assume increasing responsibility for the learning of P-12 students.
Who assigns my final grade?American College of Education professors assign all final grades.
Should I complete my coursework in a special sequence?Yes. Each week’s content is organized to flow sequentially: readings, video/lecture, discussion, review, assignments and/or assessments.
Will I be able to work with my colleagues in collaborative groups?Yes. You will be able to interact with your colleagues in weekly discussions, and, in some courses, work in collaborative groups. Although assessments must be completed independently, student interaction usually benefits learning. Many students enjoy meeting together at a regular time and place each week to explore, debate and review course content.
Can I share course material with a friend?No. Your courses are copyrighted. Sharing your course materials with others is illegal.
Is every course set up the same way?Courses maintain a familiar look and feel within the degree program. Differences reflect faculty style, course goals, and responses to student feedback and performance.
How is my assignment graded?Your final Application is graded using a rubric that is provided in each course.
How am I graded in the Discussion?You are expected to actively engage in the discussions each week. Here are some tips for effective discussion postings:
What is scholarly writing?- Stay on topic.
- Consider the useful information that is being shared. Share how it is similar to, and different from, your knowledge and experience.
- Be respectful of others' ideas and comments.
- Choose words carefully and consider how the reader might interpret them. Text may seem harsher than spoken words.
- Relevantly participate at least once in every week's discussion
- Add helpful or thought-provoking responses to presented topics
- Elevate the quality of the professional discussion by introducing resources, sharing experiences or expanding beyond the content already provided.
Scholarly writing consists of peer-reviewed sources and edited publications including journals and books. Peer-reviewed articles have been judged by a panel of experts, including scientific or scholarly peers, before submission for publication. Scholarly writing draws from the works of others, but your words should be your own, synthesizing others' works. Please see the Scholarly Writing attachment in Week 1 for more information.
Will I need to document sources in my assignments?Yes. Please use American Psychological Association (APA) style guidelines for documenting sources.
What type size and font should I use on my assignments?Please use 12-point Arial, Times New Roman, Veranda or Trebuchet type fonts.
When should I submit assignments?Even if you begin your assignments early, always submit them in the week they are due.
Why can't I email my assignments to my Academic Coach?The University must have a record of your completed assignments within the course site to document that you have fulfilled your course requirements.
Is every course set up the same way?Course structures are similar, but the University makes course improvements based on feedback from students and faculty.
What do Academic Coaches do?
Academic Coaches are assigned to assist students and course professors. Your academic coach will send you an email at the beginning of each course week. The email may include a message from your professor, as well as tips and information about the week’s content and assignments.
What if I start the course and need to take a month off?Most students find that the convenience and flexibility of the program allows them to continue their courses and complete the program despite any scheduling challenges. Talk with your academic coach if you are struggling to keep up or anticipating an upcoming event that may interfere with your coursework. If necessary, you may stop your program and re-enter it during the next start date. However, this will delay your completion of the program.
Can I change my start date if I have already completed my application?Yes, but you will need to complete a Status Change Request form, which is available from Student Records and Billing.
How will I know what to do and when to do it?Build a study schedule at the beginning of each week, and balance your studies with your other responsibilities. You can work ahead in your course on everything except your exams. These will only open at specified times. Distance learning programs provide you more autonomy, but they also require you to assume more responsibility for your learning.
What is the mailing address?Mail tuition payments and documents to:
What if I have a question that is not answered here?
American College of Education
Department of Admissions
PO Box 2373
Chicago, IL 60690-2373
Department of Admissions
PO Box 2373
Chicago, IL 60690-2373
Email your academic coach.
Technology Questions
How can I get technology support?
For technology support, email us at support@ace.edu or call us at 1-800-280-0307.
What are the computer requirements for the course?| Support Hours: | |
| Monday-Friday: | 9:00am - 7:00pm |
| Saturday: | 9:00am - 4:00pm |
| Sundays & holidays: | Closed |
Computer Requirements
Do I need to have expert technology skills for this program?- Connection: Ethernet, cable, DSL or public wireless hotspot
- Operating system: Windows XP with Service Pack 2 or Windows Vista
- Processor: Any processor of 1.2GHz or faster
- Memory: 512MB for XP or 1GB for Vista
- Disk space: Minimum of 20GB available
- Display resolution: 1024 x 768 minimum, 1280 x 800 or larger recommended
- Installation: Must have administrator rights to install software
- Drive: CD/DVD
No. The course has been designed for use by beginners and accomplished technology users.
Can I install the application on more than one computer?Yes, but you should submit all your assignments from the first computer on which you installed your courses.
Can I print material from my course?Yes. Most material can be saved and/or printed from the Resource Section. We also recommend that you save your readings and completed assignments. You will be able to access your course materials for two weeks after the exam.
How long can I save my course on my computer?You can keep your course as long as you wish, but grading and interactive features will be disabled after your course is finished.
What should I do if I try to open a document and can't see it?You should:
- Check the task bar at the bottom of your screen.
- Hold the Alt key and use the Tab key to cycle through your documents. Release the Alt key when you find your applications.
