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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 satisfy the following requirements: 

  • Hold an Illinois Professional Education License (PEL) endorsed in the following areas: LBSI, School Psychologist, School Social Worker, Speech and Language Pathologist, or School Nurse
  • Submit documentation of a minimum of two years of full-time experience providing special education services as a special education teacher, or speech-language pathologist, or school counselor, or school nurse, or school social worker, or school psychologist on an Illinois PEL License valid at the time of the work experience. Documentation from employer at the time the experience was attained is required.
  • Hold a master's degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution
  • Students who hold a bachelor's degree with an LBSI endorsement, but do not hold a Master’s degree, can take Director of Special Ed (DOSE) endorsement coursework as a part of the Learning Sciences Education or Curriculum and Instruction Masters’ Degree Personalized Option Concentration, provided the candidate provides documentation of the required two years of special education teaching experience prior to NLU issuing the DOSE credential.
    • Please note: Candidates who hold an LBSI endorsement are not required to complete SPE 527
  • Faculty Review

Program Details:

  • Requires 12 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)

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. 

Required Courses

Director of Special Education Endorsement Coursework - 12 SH

SPE 561Administration and Supervision of Programs for Exceptional Children, Adolescents and Young Adults

3
SPE 549Legal Aspects of Administration and Supervision of Programs for Exceptional Children, Adolescents

3
SPE 544School Finance for Special Education Administrators

3
SPE 527Differentiated and Individualized Curriculum and Instruction

3