Our program focuses on Residents experiencing teaching throughout the school year in an atmosphere of inquiry, self-improvement, and interactive assessment.

The goals and culture of our UTR program are supported and enhanced by our two university partners.

The majority of our Residents have a Bachelor’s degree that is not in Education. These Residents enroll in our program with National-Louis University (NLU) as our master’s degree partner; they will earn a Master of Arts in Teaching. NLU has been a partner with AUSL since our inception, and has been vital to our success.

In 2007, AUSL added University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC)
as a second master’s degree partner. The UIC program's curriculum is designed for Residents who have already achieved their undergraduate degree in Education and their teaching certification, and who have 0–2 years of classroom experience. They will earn a Master of Education in Instructional Leadership.

For Residents in both branches of our UTR program, yearlong training on urban education issues, diversity, and behavior management strategies is required. Intense education and classroom applications in these areas are covered by AUSL’s staff, our mentor teachers, and the university course professors. Our university partners have created special curriculum tailored to the focus and schedule of AUSL Residents.

The Residency year begins in late June each year; graduation is early June the following year. Residents complete several university courses over the first summer, in addition to seminars with AUSL Program staff.

During the CPS school year, Residents work with their mentor teacher in the classroom four days a week. One day a week is dedicated to their university classes.