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Colleges and Schools

Teacher Approvals and Endorsements

Approvals and endorsements are additions to an Illinois early childhood, elementary, secondary, or K–12 teaching license that permit a teacher to expand and develop his or her career in an area of specialty.

The School of Education offers these specific programs, which can be completed at both an or course level:

  • (18 semester hours)
  • (18 semester hours)
  • (24 semester hours)
  • (Limited to grade-level licensure) (12 semester hours)
  • (24 semester hours, minimum)

Your education advisor can help you choose the approval or endorsement that is best suited for your professional teaching goals.

ESL Endorsement for Early Childhood Education

All candidates seeking the early childhood education license will complete the 18-semester hour (sh) endorsement in English as a Second Language (ESL). This is excellent preparation for future work in our nation’s increasingly diverse learning communities. More and more school districts are requiring teachers to obtain this endorsement.

This program will give you practical experience in an ESL school setting along with specific courses in teaching and assessment of ESL students. The program includes:

  • ESL Practicum (0 or 1 sh)
  • Introduction to Linguistics (3 sh)
  • Sociolinguists and Cross Cultural Differences (4 sh)
  • Theoretical Foundations of Teaching ESL and Foreign Languages (3 sh)
  • Assessment of ESL Students (4 sh)
  • Method and Materials for Teaching ESL and Foreign Languages (4 sh)

Other education majors may choose to complete this endorsement, in consultation with their advisor. .

Secondary Education Content Area Majors

As an undergraduate secondary education major, you’ll complete a second major in a content area that is certified by the Illinois State Board of Education. As a graduate student seeking the secondary education license, you may meet this requirement with your undergraduate degree or complete additional coursework to meet the requirement. At either level, you’ll take a state content area test to verify you reach the appropriate level of mastery for the state standards. You can review the state standards on the . Choose from these content areas for your second major:

Undergraduate students should review their intended majors for requirements, including additional comprehensive exams or internships.