Admission Requirements
Candidates for admission must hold a valid Professional Educator License appropriate for the approval/endorsement. Upon submission of a completed online application, the School of Education licensure officer will verify the candidate’s Illinois Professional Educator License.
Admissions Criteria:
- Bachelor’s Degree: A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution is required.
- GPA: A cumulative GPA of 3.0 is required. Applicants with a GPA below 3.0 may be admitted conditionally and must earn a grade of B or better in their first four courses.
- Letters of Recommendation: Two letters of recommendation are required.
- Personal Statement: A written personal statement that demonstrates effective communication skills and a commitment to the teaching profession is required.
- Official Transcripts: Official transcripts from all previously attended colleges and universities must be submitted.
- Application: A completed School of Education application and the accompanying application fee are required.
- English Proficiency (International Students): International applicants whose native language is not English must submit TOEFL scores of at least 550 (paper-based) or 250 (online).
- Additional Consideration - Combined BA/MS SPED Program: Undergraduate students may apply to the combined BA/MS SPED program, allowing them to complete both degrees concurrently.
Required Courses
Candidates who do not hold a current valid teaching license complete the following 39 credit hours, including 33 hours in classroom/theory coursework and 6 credit hours in internship/clinical practice:
Additional Requirements
General Education Competencies for Unlicensed Candidates
Persons seeking the State of Illinois Learning Behavior Specialist I Special Education licensure as their initial teaching license must meet required general education competencies as outlined by the School of Education.
Illinois Licensure Testing System Requirements
Persons seeking a State of Illinois Professional Educator License with Learning Behavior Specialist I (P-21) Endorsement must pass the Illinois Licensure Testing System’s required content area tests for Learning Behavior Specialist I LBSI (#290) test prior to placement for clinical practice (student teaching) or clinical internship as specified by the School of Education.
Additional Information
Endorsement requirements for candidates who already hold a current valid teaching license are adjusted as follows:
Candidates who hold an elementary teaching endorsed license or those who have taken a reading methodology course are not required to complete EDU 533 - Reading and Writing Instruction and Improvement.
Early Childhood Special Education Approval (ECSE) Approval is included in the Master of Special Education (MSSPED) in the Alternative Licensure Program (SPEA) and in the traditional graduate program (SPED), and the undergraduate BA in Special Education (SEDU). Coursework in the following areas depending on program is outlined below.
AREA - Early childhood special education assessment
COURSES
AREA - Methods of instruction in early childhood special education
COURSES
AREA - Development of language in the young child
COURSES
AREA - Child, family, and community relationships
COURSES
|
