Northern Illinois University
Department of Special and Early Education
College of Education

This approval enables the holder to teach special education in pre-kindergarten. You must hold or obtain a Professional Educator License (PEL) endorsed in early childhood self-contained general education or special education LBS I.

Coursework

*Only students who complete COMD 220 as undergraduates will receive credit for this course. Graduate students or students-at-large without COMD 220 as undergraduates must complete LTLA 537 Acquisition of Spoken and Written Language.

Note: All professional education and content-area coursework that forms part of an application for licensure, endorsement, or approval that is received on or after February 1, 2012, must have been passed with a grade no lower than C or equivalent in order to be counted toward fulfillment of the applicable requirements.

Early Intervention Credential

This coursework may be applied toward an early intervention credential to provide supports and services for families to help their children under age three meet developmental milestones. The early intervention credential can be added to a number of baccalaureate and masters degrees including a PEL endorsed in special education (LBS I), an Early Childhood Education, or a degree in Child Development.

Coursework

In addition to these courses, candidates for the early intervention credential will need:

• A course on child development (typical and atypical development).
• An overview of the Illinois Early Intervention System offered through the Illinois Early Intervention (EI) Training Program.
• Supervised field experience in working with infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families.

Registration Information

This coursework may be part of a master's degree program or independent of a degree program if you register as a student-at-large (SAL).