Special Education Endorsement

special-education-endorsement

If you're a teacher with a valid Professional Educator License (PEL), you can earn a concurrently valid Special Education endorsement. This allows you to work with students with special needs in the same grade levels covered by your current license.

The State of Illinois identifies four course/content areas.

  • Survey of Special Education
  • Assessment of students with special needs
  • An LBS I characteristics course (covers the entire scope of LBS I characteristics)
  • An LBS I methods course (covers the entire scope of LBS I methods)

The endorsement also requires successful completion of the LBS I Content-Area exam (#155). 

Requirements for the LBS I endorsement differ based on the grade levels covered by your PEL.

Requirements for the LBS I endorsement differ based on the grade levels covered by the current PEL.

NIU courses offered that cover the standards required by the state for the endorsement are:

Survey: SESE 240 (3 credits), Introduction to Special Education

Assessment: ETR 434 (3 credits), Assessment of Students with Special Needs

Characteristics: NIU does not offer a separate characteristics course, but the material to meet the standards for the characteristics is embedded in the SESE 240 course and each different methods course.

Methods: NIU does not offer a comprehensive LBS I methods course. The LBS I methods standards are met through the courses that address methods for different disabilities and grades.

  • SESE 415 - Instructional Methods for Elementary Students with Mild Disabilities: Reading, Language Arts (4 credits).
  • SESE 417 - Positive Behavior Support and Classroom Management for Special Educators (3 credits).
  • SESE 446 - Methods for Supporting the Social/Emotion Development of Students with Emotion/Behavior Disorders (3 credits).
  • SESE 460 - Instructional Methods for Individuals with Autism and Multiple Disabilities (3 credits).
  • SESE 424 - Methods and Strategy for Promoting Development and Teaching Infants, Toddlers, and Young Children with Disabilities and Special Needs (3 credits).

You will complete a total of 15 semester hours in addition to those classes in your program.

In addition to the coursework listed above, you must pass the LBS I Contest area test (#155). Learn more information about the Illinois Licensure Testing System .

NIU courses that cover the standards required by the state for the endorsement are:

Survey: SESE 240 (3 credits), Introduction to Special Education

Assessment: ETR 434 (3 credits), Assessment of Students with Special Needs

Characteristics: NIU does not offer a separate characteristics course, but the material to meet the standards for the characteristics is embedded in the SESE 240 course and each different methods course.

Methods: NIU does not offer a comprehensive LBS I methods course. The LBS I methods standards are met through the courses that address methods for different disabilities and grades.

  • SESE 415 - Instructional Methods for Elementary Students with Mild Disabilities: Reading, Language Arts (4 credits).
  • SESE 417 - Positive Behavior Support and Classroom Management for Special Educators (3 credits).
  • SESE 446 - Methods for Supporting the Social/Emotion Development of Students with Emotion/Behavior Disorders (3 credits).
  • SESE 460 - Instructional Methods for Individuals with Autism and Multiple Disabilities (3 credits).
  • SESE 456 - Methods for Collaboration and Inclusion for Elementary Education Teachers (3 credits).

You will complete a total of 16 semester hours in addition to those classes in your program.

In addition to the coursework listed above, you must pass the LBS I Contest area test (#155). Learn more about the Illinois Licensure Testing System.

NIU courses that cover the standards required by the state for the endorsement are:

 

Survey: SESE 240 (3 credits), Introduction to Special Education

Assessment: ETR 434 (3 credits), Assessment of Students with Special Needs.

Characteristics: NIU does not offer a separate characteristics course, but the material to meet the standards for the characteristics is embedded in the SESE 240 course and each different methods course.

Methods: NIU does not offer a comprehensive LBS I methods course. The LBS I methods standards are met through three courses that address methods for different disabilities and grades.

  • SESE 417 - Positive Behavior Support and Classroom Management for Special Educators (3 credits)
  • SESE 444 - Instructional Methods and Strategies for Middle and Secondary Student with Mild Disabilities (3 credits)
  • SESE 446 - Methods for Supporting the Social/Emotion Development of Students with Emotion/Behavior Disorders (3 credits)
  • SESE 460 - Instructional Methods for Individuals with Autism and Multiple Disabilities (3 credits)
  • SESE 457 - Methods for Including Middle and Secondary Students with Exceptionalities in the General Education Classroom (3 credits)

You will complete a total of 18 semester hours in addition to those classes in your program.

In addition to the coursework listed above, you must pass the LBS I Contest area test (#155). Learn more about the Illinois Licensure Testing System.

NIU courses that cover the standards required by the state for the endorsement are:

Survey: SESE 240 (3 credits), Introduction to Special Education

Assessment: ETR 434 (3 credits), Assessment of Students with Special Needs.

Characteristics: NIU does not offer a separate characteristics course, but the material to meet the standards for the characteristics is embedded in the SESE 240 course and each different methods course.

Methods: NIU does not offer a comprehensive LBS I methods course. The LBS I methods standards are met through four courses that address methods for different disabilities and grades.

  • SESE 415 - Instructional Methods for Elementary Students with Mild Disabilities: reading, Language Arts (4 credits)
  • SESE 417 - Positive Behavior Support and Classroom Management for Special Educators (3 credits)
  • SESE 444 - Instructional Methods and Strategies for Middle and Secondary Student with Mild Disabilities (3 credits)
  • SESE 446 - Methods for Supporting the Social/Emotion Development of Students with Emotion/Behavior Disorders (3 credits)
  • SESE 460 - Instructional Methods for Individuals with Autism and Multiple Disabilities (3 credits)
  • SESE 457 - Methods for Including Middle and Secondary Students with Exceptionalities in the General Education Classroom (3 credits)

You will complete a total of 21 semester hours in addition to those classes in your program.

In addition to the coursework listed above, you must pass the LBS I Contest area test (#155). Learn more about the Illinois Licensure Testing System.