Jenny Sarna, UChicgao UTEP Graduate

Jenny Sarna brings science to life for her Chicago students. Find out more

UChicago UTEP Grad ‘Learns by Doing’ How Plants, and Teachers, Grow

The Give a Year Partnership: Chicago UTEP and City Year

Through the Give a Year Partnership, City Year alum and staff receive tuition and other benefits. More information on the partnership

UChicago UTEP Partners with City Year

UChicago UTEP Mentor Awarded Golden Apple

Elizabeth Luna, a UChicago UTEP mentor, was surprised by Gov. Quinn with prestigious award. Find out more

UChicago UTEP Mentor Honored with Golden Apple Award

University of Chicago Urban Teacher Education Program

UChicago UTEP sets admission deadline for June 22 Learn more

UChicago UTEP Accepting Applications for its 10th Cohort

UChicago UTEP Information Sessions

Join us for an information session to learn more about our teacher certification and MAT degree granting program. See upcoming dates.

Learn More About UChicago UTEP

Be the change you wish to see in the world. —Gandhi

The University of Chicago Urban Teacher Education Program prepares teachers of the highest caliber for Chicago Public Schools while empirically testing a model for urban teacher preparation. Our graduates engage in teaching as a highly intellectual career and are classroom-based instructional leaders and agents for educational equity in their schools and community.

UChicago UTEP is a two-year graduate program accredited by the Illinois State Board of Education that awards a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degree. Alumni then receive up to three years of post-graduation supports, making UChicago UTEP a unique five-year experience. The program offers three certification pathways:

  • Elementary, certifying teachers for grades K-9, with middle-grade (5-8) endorsements available in general science, language arts, mathematics, and social sciences (Illinois Initial Elementary Type 03)
  • Secondary Biology, certifying teachers in general science for grades 6-8 and biology and related sciences for grades 9-12 (Illinois Secondary Type 09)
  • Secondary Mathematics, certifying teachers in all areas of mathematics through calculus for grades 6-12 (Illinois Secondary Type 09)

Ninety-six percent of UChicago UTEP graduates are still teaching in Chicago Public Schools or urban school districts after five years. This retention rate far exceeds the national average for urban public school teachers, which is approximately fifty percent.

UChicago UTEP is a unit of the University of Chicago Urban Education Institute.