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Concentrations/Endorsements Available to ECE Students
Concentrations/Endorsements Available to ECE Students
Most Endorsements begin by adding a Concentration to your program.
Most Endorsements begin by adding a Concentration to your program.
- The concentration includes the required courses and field hours for that Endorsement.
- Endorsements expand the grade levels or student populations you’re approved to teach in Illinois.
- You may be eligible to add one or more Endorsements to your Professional Educator License by declaring a Concentration in your program.
ESL / Bilingual
ESL / Bilingual
Qualifies you to support English learners in ESL or Bilingual classrooms, from Pre-K to grade 12.
To be eligible, you must:
Complete all required coursework for the ESL/Bilingual endorsement as part of your degree.
Complete 20 field hours per course in an approved classroom.
Students can choose to add only the ESL endorsement for work in ESL only classrooms in addition to their licensed range.
For the Bilingual Endorsement, you also need to pass the Target Language Proficiency Test in your chosen language.
What to know:
Most ECE students can qualify for ESL if planned early.
Bilingual may require extra planning and field hours coordination.
Special Education
Special Education
Qualifies you to support students with disabilities in self-contained Special Ed classrooms, from Pre-k to age 22.
To be eligible, you must:
Complete all required Special Education coursework.
Complete 10 field hours per course in a Special Education setting.
Pass the Learning Behavior Specialist 1 #290 Exam.
What to know:
Most ECE students can qualify for Special Education if planned early.
Special Education placements require additional coordination with the Office of Field Experience. If your current placement doesn’t serve an appropriate student population, you may need to step out of it temporarily to complete hours in a different setting.
Note: Students who complete the Special Education Concentration qualify for the Special Education Approval without having to take the LBS1 test. This allows students to teach in self-contained Special Education classrooms in Pre-K only.
To Add a Concentration/Endorsement
To Add a Concentration/Endorsement
Talk with your Advisor to submit a Change of Program form. This should be done as early as possible to ensure you can meet all requirements before graduation.
Applying for Endorsement Entitlement
Applying for Endorsement Entitlement
You will apply for your Endorsement at the same time as applying for your Professional Educator License, after all coursework and other requirements have been met.
You can learn more about Licensure Entitlement here.
Note: ISBE requires that candidates apply for endorsements through the university entitlement process unless specifically directed otherwise.
Important Reminders
Important Reminders
Endorsements must be completed before graduation to be included in your Entitlement.
You cannot add these Endorsements through NLU after graduation unless you return in a licensure-seeking status.
Requirements can change. Check in with your advisor regularly if you’re planning to pursue an endorsement.
Check out these additional Concentrations you can add to your degree:
Check out these additional Concentrations you can add to your degree:
*please note that these Concentrations do not lead to additional Endorsements on your PEL.
Early Care and Education Administration
Early Care and Education Administration
The Early Care and Education Administration Concentration is available to ECE students. This concentration does not lead to an additional endorsement on your PEL. Rather, this is a separate opportunity that leads to the Illinois Director’s Credential through Gateways to Opportunity. To earn the credential, students must have work experience in an administrative role in a childcare setting. The Gateways credential requires documentation of 1200 hours for Level 1. The concentration must be completed before graduation.
The Early Care and Education Administration Concentration requires the completion of three additional courses, worth 15qh total. These courses do not require additional field work.
The Child Welfare concentration provides an overview of fundamental skills and knowledge in child welfare and related fields. It prepares you with practical understanding of worker roles, child protection policies, and the training needed to pursue industry-recognized credentials for employment in the Department of Child and Family Services (DCFS) and community-based organizations serving children and families.
Upon completion, students are eligible for:
Expedited Child Welfare Employee Licensure (CWEL) upon hire by an Illinois child welfare agency in a case-carrying role with the Placement/Permanency Specialty.
Certification in Child Endangerment Risk Assessment Protocol (CERAP) and Placement Specialty
Exams Required
Child Welfare Employee Licensure (CWEL)
Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS)
Placement Specialty Exam is required for those providing direct child welfare services to Illinois families with children placed in substitute care.
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