Bilingual Special Education Approval

To qualify for the Bilingual Special Education approval, candidates must meet all of the requirements in ONE of the four options listed below. 

To apply for this approval, candidates must submit an online application on their ELIS account. 

In addition to the National Louis University Graduate Admission Requirements, applicants must:

  • Hold a valid Illinois Professional Educator License (PEL) endorsed in the teaching field (teaching endorsements can’t be added to administrative and school support PEL’s)

Program Details: 

  • Requires 3-15 SH for completion depending on the option  
  • A grade of “C” or better in all coursework is required
  • Note: Candidates may be eligible for financial aid. Contact the Financial Aid office for more information.

Option 1

Candidates must:

  • Hold an Illinois teaching license endorsed in a special education teaching field or a license with a special education approval 
  • Pass the language proficiency assessment in the target language (for which the endorsement is to be issued)
  • Complete 9 SH of coursework listed below

Required Courses

CIL 500Foundations of ESL and Bilingual Education

3

CIL 506Methods and Materials for Teaching Bilingual Education

3

CIL 510Assessment of ESL and Bilingual Education Students

3

Option 2

Candidates must:

  • Hold an Illinois teaching license endorsed in early childhood, elementary, secondary, or special education and bilingual education 
  • Complete 9 SH of coursework listed below

Required Courses

SPE 501Educational and Diagnostic Assessment in Special Education

3

SPE 506Frameworks, Perspectives, and Collaboration in Special Education

3

SPE 527Curriculum Adaptations in the Least Restrictive Environment

3

Option 3

Candidates must:

  • Hold an Illinois teaching license with stipulations endorsed for transitional bilingual education
  • Complete 15 SH of coursework listed below

Required Courses

CIL 500Foundations of ESL and Bilingual Education

3

CIL 510Assessment of ESL and Bilingual Education Students

3

SPE 500Introduction to and Methods of Teaching Students with Disabilities

3

SPE 506Frameworks, Perspectives, and Collaboration in Special Education

3

SPE 527Curriculum Adaptations in the Least Restrictive Environment

3

Option 4

Candidates must:

  • Hold an Illinois teaching license endorsed in a school support personnel area (except school nurse)
  • Pass the language proficiency assessment in the target language (for which the endorsement is to be issued)
  • Complete 3 SH of coursework listed below

Required Courses

CIL 510Assessment of ESL and Bilingual Education Students

3