Erikson Institute
General Information of Erikson Institute
Overview
The Erikson Institute is a private graduate school focused on early childhood development, education, and social work, located in Chicago, Illinois. Founded in 1966, the Institute was established to provide advanced preparation for professionals working with young children and families, particularly those in underserved communities. According to public records, the Institute offers master’s-level degrees and certificate programs that integrate research, practice, and policy in early childhood and family contexts. The learning community emphasizes a holistic, developmental approach to children from birth through age eight, across diverse cultural, socioeconomic, and linguistic backgrounds.
With a small-scale, specialized structure and an urban location, the school offers intense fieldwork, expert faculty mentorship and a strong mission of social justice and advocacy. Students are immersed in partnerships with local early childhood programs and gain applied experience while engaging in scholarship and leadership. The campus environment, situated in Chicago’s River North / LaSalle Street corridor, allows access to urban resources, community agencies and research institutions. Overall, Erikson Institute aims to prepare professionals who not only understand child development theory but also translate it into effective practice, leadership, and policy for young children and families in real-world settings.
Contact Information
Address: 451 North LaSalle Street, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
Phone Number: (312) 755-2250
Email Address: admissions@erikson.edu
School Facts
| Fact | Information |
|---|---|
| Founding Year | 1966 |
| Type | Private graduate institution |
| Location | Urban – Chicago, Illinois |
| Degrees Offered | Master’s degrees, doctoral-level certificates |
| Mission | To prepare professionals who promote optimal development and well-being of young children and families, particularly from vulnerable and diverse populations |
| Accreditation | Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission |
Erikson Institute Rankings
| Ranking Source | National / U.S. Position | Other / Global Rank |
|---|---|---|
| EduRank Overall Rank | #1,327 in the United States (as of latest data) | #5,069 in the world for universities EduRank+1 |
| Niche Ratings | Rating 4.67/5 (Graduate Schools category) | – Niche |
Erikson Institute Academics
Erikson Institute Faculties / Departments
At Erikson Institute the academic structure is specialized and focused on early childhood development, education and family systems. Key departments and units include:
- Department of Child Development
- Department of Early Childhood Education
- Department of Social Work (early childhood focus)
- Department of Policy, Leadership & Research in Early Childhood
- Graduate Certificate & Professional Development Unit
- Office of Field Experiences and Partnerships
Erikson Institute Courses and Programs / Majors
The programs offered at Erikson Institute include:
- Master of Science in Child Development – Core concentration or Child Life specialisation
- Master of Science in Early Childhood Education (with licensure/triple-endorsement options in Illinois)
- Master of Social Work (early childhood focus)
- PhD in Child Development – research-intensive doctoral track
- Graduate certificate programs and professional development units in early childhood practice, leadership, policy, assessment and family work
Online Learning
While the core graduate programs at Erikson Institute are campus-based in Chicago with strong fieldwork components, the school also offers hybrid and online formats for some/part of its programs, particularly the Master’s in Early Childhood Education which can be completed partly online or in a hybrid model. This flexibility accommodates working professionals and allows geographic flexibility, though significant on-site or field-based components remain due to the practicum and applied nature of the discipline. Niche+1
Average Test Scores
| Test / Metric | Typical Range / Middle 50% |
|---|---|
| Graduate Admission GPA | Average admitted GPA ~3.84 (from admissions web data) Erikson Institute |
| Undergraduate Standardized Tests | Not typically reported / not required |
Retention and Graduation Rates
Erikson Institute emphasizes small cohorts, intensive advising, and applied fieldwork, all of which support high levels of student completion and professional readiness. While specific retention/graduation percentages are not broadly published, the school reports, for example, employment rates for master’s degree graduates around 96.7% within the first year after graduation. Erikson Institute+1
Erikson Institute Admissions
GPA Range and SAT / ACT Range
For admission to programs at Erikson Institute, applicants typically must have earned a bachelor’s degree, have completed prerequisite coursework in related fields (child development, education, psychology or social work), and present a competitive GPA. As reported, the admitted master’s cohort for one term had an average GPA of 3.84. Standardized tests such as GRE are not required, acknowledging a holistic review of professional experience and potential. Erikson Institute+1
Erikson Institute Acceptance Rate
| Program Level | Approximate Acceptance Rate |
|---|---|
| Graduate Programs | Estimated ~69% based on available data from EduRank EduRank |
Erikson Institute Application Requirements
Applicants to Erikson Institute graduate programs must submit an online application, official transcripts from all previous post-secondary institutions, a personal statement outlining their interest in early childhood development and social justice, letters of recommendation, and a résumé or summary of relevant professional experience in child- or family-serving fields. Some programs may require or strongly encourage a fieldwork or service history with young children and families. International applicants may need to submit credential evaluations and evidence of English proficiency. The holistic review emphasises readiness for applied work, potential for leadership in early childhood, cultural competence and alignment with the school’s mission. Erikson Institute+1
Application Process
- Complete and submit the online graduate program application
- Provide official transcripts and résumé of professional experience
- Submit personal statement and letters of recommendation
- Attend interview (if required by specific program)
- Receive admission decision and complete matriculation steps such as registration and orientation
Erikson Institute Application Deadlines / Important Dates
| Program | Deadline Approximation |
|---|---|
| Master’s Programs | Rolling admissions; refer to specific cohort term and priority deadlines Niche+1 |
Essay Prompt
Applicants are asked to write a personal statement describing how their background and professional experience relate to the early childhood field, how they envision contributing to children, families and communities, and how they will engage in leadership and advocacy for young children’s well-being. This statement should reflect the applicant’s readiness for graduate study, fieldwork and commitment to social justice in early childhood settings.
Erikson Institute Scholarships
Erikson Institute offers various scholarships, grants and institutional aid for admitted students, particularly those engaged in early childhood practice or leadership roles. The financial aid office supports master’s and doctoral candidates with opportunities for fellowships, assistantships, and field-based funding. Students are encouraged to explore service-based awards, early-childhood advocacy scholarships and professional development grants.
Erikson Institute Tuition Fee (Costs)
| Program Level | Estimated Tuition / Fees |
|---|---|
| Master’s Programs | Approximate tuition estimate ~$19,988 annually (per EduRank data) EduRank+1 |
Erikson Institute Student Profile and Demographics
Student Demographics
At Erikson Institute the student body is predominantly female, reflecting the demographics of early childhood and social work professions. A data snapshot shows about 97.3% female and 2.7% male among 368 graduate students. collegeraptor.com Ethnic/racial representation includes roughly 45% White, 26% Hispanic/Latino, 20% Black/African American, and around 4% Asian in one dataset. EduRank Many students are practicing professionals with field experience in early childhood education, social work or related fields, and median age of admitted cohorts has been around 37 years. Erikson Institute
Low-Income Students / Students with Disabilities
The Institute emphasizes access through flexible program formats, robust field partnership networks and inclusive student services. Students with disabilities are supported through accessibility accommodations, and scholarship opportunities exist for those from underserved or low-income backgrounds who are dedicated to early childhood practice. The school’s mission aligns with equity and supports learners from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds.
Student Body
| Category | Value (Approximate) |
|---|---|
| Total Graduate Enrollment | ~368 students (all graduate) collegeraptor.com |
| Gender Distribution | ~97.3% female, ~2.7% male collegeraptor.com |
| Median Age | Approx. 37 years (for a recent admitted cohort) Erikson Institute |
University Diversity
Diversity at Erikson Institute is a cornerstone of its educational identity. The school brings together scholars, practitioners and students from a spectrum of cultural, linguistic, socioeconomic and experiential backgrounds. With field placements across Chicago’s urban neighborhoods and beyond, students gain firsthand exposure to varied communities, including children and families from immigrant, bilingual and multicultural contexts. The curricular emphasis on equity, social justice and child-family systems ensures that learners are equipped to serve children across diverse developmental contexts. This inclusive environment enriches peer learning, professional preparation and the capacity to address systemic challenges in early childhood education and policy.
Average Earnings
Graduates of Erikson Institute’s programs, particularly in early childhood leadership, child development and social work with specialization in early childhood, typically earn salaries commensurate with master’s-level professionals in education, social services and nonprofit sectors. While exact median earnings data for all graduates are not widely published, the high employment rate (96.7% for many programs) indicates strong professional outcomes. Graduates often assume roles such as early childhood program directors, child development specialists, policy advocates or clinical social workers, with salaries varying by role, geographic region, and leadership responsibility. The professional advancement enabled by Erikson’s specialized training supports both career growth and impact in the field of early childhood services.
Erikson Institute Faculty and Staff
Teachers and Staff
Erikson Institute employs a faculty of scholars, practitioners and clinician-educators who specialize in child development, early education, social work and applied research. Staff teams support field placement coordination, student success, library and research services (Edward Neisser Library), and professional development partnerships. With a low student-faculty ratio (~7 : 1 according to institutional information) the school provides personalized mentoring, small-group seminars, and intensive applied learning environments. Erikson Institute
Faculty Profiles
Faculty at Erikson Institute are recognized nationally for research, policy influence and practice in early childhood and family systems. They publish in leading journals, lead applied research initiatives in urban and multicultural contexts, and serve in national leadership roles in early childhood education, mental health and advocacy. Their expertise spans child development theory, bilingual/ESL education, trauma-informed practice, program evaluation and state-level policy. This expert faculty supports rigorous preparation and leadership development for students ready to impact early childhood systems and practices.
Erikson Institute Campus and Student Life
Campus Life / Housing
Erikson Institute’s Chicago campus, located at 451 North LaSalle Street, is situated in the urban heart of the city’s River North/Loop area, offering students access to downtown amenities, public transit and diverse community settings for fieldwork. While the school is graduate-level and many students are working professionals, there are student services such as small cohort seminars, student organizations focused on early childhood leadership, and opportunities for community engagement and service learning. Housing is typically off-campus in Chicago, and students often balance professional work and study while residing in nearby neighborhoods or commuting. The urban environment provides rich opportunities for applied practice, cultural immersion and networking in early childhood policy, social services and education.
Transportation
Located centrally in Chicago, Erikson Institute is accessible via CTA buses, multiple subway lines, commuter rail and bike share programs. The campus’s downtown location facilitates students commuting from across the broader metropolitan area and supports travel to field placements in Chicago’s neighborhoods, suburbs and adjacent counties. Ease of access to transit enhances student mobility, particularly for those balancing professional employment, study, and community placements.