The Chief School Business Official endorsement provides a solid foundation in school business administration. You will acquire skills in budgeting, facilities management, human resources, public relations and legal issues that are required to be a successful administrator. Coursework in this program is aligned to national and state educational standards and performance indicators as set forth by the NELP National Educational Leadership Program, PSEL Professional Standards of Educational Leaders standards and by the Illinois State Board of Education. Included in the curriculum are six hours of clinical experience as required by the state of Illinois to be eligible for the CSBO endorsement. 

Curriculum for this endorsement to be added to the Professional Educator License (PEL) depends on previous academic study and goals. Three pathways have been approved by the Illinois State Board of Education. 

• Pathway 1: Master of Business Administration, Accounting, Finance or Public Administration — 18 semester hour endorsement program
• Pathway 2: Advanced degree other than a Master of Business Administration, Accounting, Finance or Public Administration — 24 semester hour endorsement program
• Pathway 3: Endorsement embedded in a CUC Ed.D. or Ph.D. program — 30 semester hour endorsement concentration

This program leads to Illinois licensure with direct University entitlement. The awarding of Illinois licensure will require the completion of your academic program, and may require an existing PEL, a passing score on the corresponding Illinois State Licensure Test(s), associated work experience, and completion of a state training academy. For your licensure’s specific requirements please refer to ISBE’s webpage or contact the Licensure Officer at licensure@cuchicago.edu.