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University Admission Requirements

A student applying to this program must:

• Have earned a four-year bachelor's degree or its equivalent from a college or university that is accredited by the appropriate regional accrediting association, or do so by the time of program matriculation.
• Submit unofficial transcripts from each college or university other than Illinois State at which graduate, undergraduate, or non-degree credit was earned. The unofficial transcript should be easily readable and clearly indicate degree(s) awarded, courses and course grades for each term.
• If admitted, official domestic transcripts can be emailed from the university to GraduateAdmissions@IllinoisState.edu or mailed in a sealed envelope to: ��ѡAV, , 208 Hovey Hall, Campus Box 4040, Normal, IL 61790-4040.
• If admitted, official international transcripts can be emailed directly from the international institution to InternationalAdmissions@IllinoisState.edu or mailed in a sealed envelope to: ��ѡAV, International Admissions, Campus Box 6180, Normal, IL 61790-6180.

International students can learn more about specific application requirements by visiting the Graduate School Admission Requirements.

Additional Program Admission Requirements

Applications will be reviewed by the Department of Special Education DOSE Program Coordinator who may ask you to submit additional information.

To be considered for this program, you must meet the following requirements.

GPA

You must have a minimum of a 3.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale for all graduate level coursework.

The Grade Point Average (GPA) of all undergraduate credentials earned in the United States that are used for graduate degree admission evaluation is calculated by the last 60 hours of undergraduate work. International credentials are evaluated by using cumulative GPA (CGPA) in lieu of the GPA from the last 60 hours of undergraduate work.

Degree, Licensure, and Professional Experience

�� You must have a master's degree, a professional license, and a minimum of two years of full-time experience providing special education services as a:��

• Special education teacher��
• Speech-language pathologist��
• School counselor��
• School nurse��
• School social worker; or��
• School psychologist��

Cover Letter and Resume

Upload a cover letter that outline your professional goals as related to special education administrative leadership.

Letter of Recommendation

Include one professional letter of recommendation. The letter should come from a person who has knowledge of your professional work, especially your work as a school or district leader.

The letter must address the following with examples or details:

• Leadership experiences
• Ability to make a difference in student performance.
• Ability to work with colleagues and staff as a team.
• Oral and written communication skills
• Potential to become a special education administrative leader who can motivate and support faculty and families and who can promote learning by students with disabilities.

English Proficiency Scores for International Students

International students from non-native English speaking countries are required to submit English proficiency scores, dated within two years of application, from one of the accepted testing agencies unless English waiver qualifications are met. See the minimum English proficiency scores by test.

Additional Documentation

In the online application system, you will upload:

1. Resume
2. Unofficial copies of transcripts from all institutions in which you completed both undergraduate and graduate coursework.
3. An official letter from a school or district employer documenting your teaching experience or related service experience working with students with disabilities.

Application Tip

When applying to the Director of Special Education program, be sure to select the Student Type as “Certificate/Specialist” as the level of study on the application for admission.

Application Deadlines

All application materials must be submitted by March 31. Applications submitted after will be accepted as space permits.

Post-Master's Graduate Certificate for Director of Special Education

Requirements for endorsement as a Director of Special Education may be met through a postmaster’s degree program (Doctorate in Special Education) or through a non-degree program. Students seeking Director of Special Education endorsement must be admitted to the department as a post-master’s graduate certificate student or as a doctoral student. Coursework will enable students to meet ISBE standards leading to the Director of Special Education endorsement.

This post-master’s graduate certificate requires 12-15 hours:   

• 15 hours: *,��,��,��
• Depending on coursework completed at the master’s level, the student may need to complete����or an equivalent to meet Illinois State Board of Education professional license endorsement requirements.

*This course may be fulfilled by those who have a principal endorsement master’s degree.

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