Director of Special Education Endorsement
NLU offers coursework suitable for candidates interested in earning the State of Illinois Director of Special Education endorsement.
In addition to the National Louis University Graduate Admission Requirements, applicants must have:
- An Illinois Professional Education License (PEL) already endorsed in an ISBE-approved administrative field
- Documentation of a minimum of two years of full time special education teaching (LBSI) on a valid Illinois license as the teacher of record within a Pre K-age 21 (common schools) experience or service as a school social worker, school psychologist or speech language pathologist on a valid IL license
- A master's degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution
- Passed the Test of Basic Skills
Program Details:
- Requires 30 SH for completion
- A grade of "C" or better in all coursework is required
- Requires passing of the Director of Special Education content test (#180)
Required Courses
Four Required Areas of Coursework
In accordance with ISBE requirements, candidates must take one course in each of the following areas:
- The supervision of programs for children with disabilities
- Special education law
- Special education finance
- Cross-categorical special education methods
The below coursework fulfills ISBE's criteria.
| SPE 561 | Administration and Supervision of Programs for Exceptional Children, Adolescents and Young Adults | 3 |
| SPE 549 | Legal Aspects of Administration and Supervision of Programs for Exceptional Children, Adolescents | 3 |
| SPE 544 | School Finance for Special Education Administrators | 3 |
| SPE 527 | Differentiated and Individualized Curriculum and Instruction | 3 |
Additional Coursework
ISBE requires that candidates for the Director of Special Education endorsement take the remainder of their 30 semester hours of coursework in any of the following areas:
- Curricular adaptations/modifications and/or assistive technology
- Facilitation of the least restrictive environment for all students
- Characteristics of students with disabilities
- Collaboration of parents and school personnel
- Educational and psychological diagnosis and remedial techniques
The below courses are aligned with one or more of these areas.
| SPE 500 | Introduction to and Methods of Teaching Students with Disabilities | 3 |
| SPE 501 | Educational and Diagnostic Assessment of Exceptional Children and Adolescents | 3 |
| SPE 506 | Frameworks, Perspectives, and Collaboration in Special Education | 3 |
| SPE 507 | Methods of Social/Emotional Support | 3 |
| SPE 508 | Literacy Across the Curriculum for Students with Disabilities | 3 |
| SPE 509 | Literacy Instruction for Diverse Learners | 3 |
| SPE 523 | Teaching Students with Math Disabilities | 3 |
| SPE 572 | Practicum I | 2 OR 3 |
Note: SPE 572 should be taken for 2 semester hours.