The Early Childhood Special Education Approval is designed for educators with an Illinois license endorsed in early childhood education or LBS I (K-22). This approval is for educators who desire to teach early childhood students in pre-kindergarten and is designed to provide qualified candidates with the skills and knowledge necessary to become an early childhood special education teacher.
This program will enable candidates to:
- Build and strengthen a theoretical understanding of the foundations of early childhood special education.
- Examine issues relevant to least restrictive environment, educational settings, language development, and special education law and policy.
- Develop and utilize appropriate assessments and teaching strategies for young children with disabilities.
- Learn how to collaborate with all stakeholders, including parents, community, family members and other institutions to support young children with disabilities.
General Graduate Admission Requirements
All applicants must meet the general admission requirements for Concordia University Chicago graduate programs as published in the Concordia University Chicago academic catalog.
New students are accepted into most graduate degree-seeking, certificate, endorsement and/or post-graduate programs for online and on-campus study for in the fall, spring, or summer semesters. Students seeking to change programs may do so by submitting a Change-of-Program quick app. Applicants must be in good academic standing according to Concordia University Chicago’s satisfactory academic progress standards and meet published program admission requirements at the time of requesting a program change. Program changes will be processed and recorded for the subsequent semester.
Program-Specific Admission Requirements
- Illinois license endorsed in early childhood education or LBS I (PK-21)
- Hold a professional educator license (PEL)
Course Requirements
Completion of the following courses fulfills the course requirements for State of Illinois Early Childhood Special Education Approval:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| SPED-6500 | Family and Community Relationships in Early Childhood Special Education | 3 |
| SPED-6510 | Language Development in Early Childhood Special Education | 3 |
| SPED-6520 | Special Education Assessment for Early Childhood Educators | 3 |
| SPED-6530 | Special Education Methods for Early Childhood Educators | 3 |
| Total Hours | 12 | |
Non-degree Completion Requirements
- Have on file an application for this non-degree-seeking program.
- Complete, for the program being sought:
- the credit hours and levels as designated,
- within the specified time limit,
- with course grades of C- or higher,
- with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
- Students completing multiple advanced programs or degrees at CUC must have a 3.0 GPA in each academic program in addition to a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
- Have on file approved “Graduate Transfer Credit Approval” form(s), "Course Substitution" form(s), or evaluation(s), if applicable.
- Have on file the Intent to Graduate/Complete form with the Office of the Registrar by the published deadline.
- Approval of the faculty.
- All administrative obligations to CUC must be cleared in order to prompt the release of CUC transcripts.
Every attempt has been made to include information to aid the student with information about his/her program requirements. It is, however, the student’s responsibility to complete all steps and meet all deadlines relevant to completion requirements.
This program does not lead to initial Illinois licensure (PEL) but will, through direct university entitlement, lead to an additional credential on your existing PEL. The awarding of this credential will require the completion of this academic program and an existing and active PEL, and may require a passing score on the corresponding Illinois State Licensure Test(s), associated work experience, a previous master's degree, and completion of a state training academy. For specific requirements regarding this credential please refer to ISBE’s webpage or contact the Licensure Officer at licensure@cuchicago.edu.