The Special Education endorsement is designed for candidates who have an existing teaching certificate and wish to add an endorsement.
This avenue requires that the candidate take courses that constitute half of the certification curriculum. These courses are based on four broad areas of knowledge required by the Illinois State Board of Education, which are then specifically defined by Aurora University. We strongly recommend that endorsement candidates consider completing the Master’s program, as this provides teachers with the best foundation to become a highly qualified, master teacher.
Endorsement Requirements
| SPED5510: | Characteristics and Identification of Disabilities and the Law | 4 hours |
| SPED5520: | Cognitive Development and Disabilities | 2 hours |
| SPED5550: | Social, Emotional, and Behavioral Development: Promoting Prosocial Behavior | 2 hours |
| SPED5551: | Intervention Strategies for Problematic Behavior | 2 hours |
| SPED5560: | Strategies and Assistive Technology for Students with Low Incidence and Multiple Disabilities | 2 hours |
| SPED5570: | Trends: Collaboration, Differentiating Instruction in the Inclusive Classroom, and Transition | 3 hours |
| SPED6510: | Psychoeducational Assessment of Students with Disabilities | 4 hours |
Total for endorsement: 19 hours
Important note to candidate: Completing the hours necessary for an endorsement may enable you to secure employment as a special educator. However, completing the certification, and ideally the complete Master of Arts degree, will not only make you a better educator, but it may also become necessary for you to retain your position in special education.
