Apr 19, 2024  
2021-2022 Graduate Catalog 
    
2021-2022 Graduate Catalog [NOTE!!!! THIS IS AN ARCHIVED CATALOG. FOR THE CURRENT CATALOG, GO TO CATALOG.NIU.EDU]

Educator Licensure


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In order to be licensed to teach or supervise in the public schools of the state of Illinois, a person must be of good character, in sound health, a citizen of the United States, and at least 19 years of age. The Illinois Licensure law also requires that an individual complete an approved teacher preparation program at a recognized institution.

The university’s licensure officer, is responsible for reviewing the record of each graduate of an approved educator program and for recommending or withholding recommendation of that individual for licensure by entitlement or additional endorsement. Licensure is not an automatic procedure. In order to qualify for licensure, each student in an entitlement program must complete an application for licensure and provide evidence of having completed the general requirements; courses in professional education appropriate to the program being followed, including a minimum of 100 clock hours of approved pre-student-teaching clinical experience prior to student teaching; and a teacher education approved field of study: early childhood, elementary, special education, secondary (6-12), or special (K-12-art, music, physical education).

The following licensure and endorsement programs are available at the graduate level only and are approved by the Illinois State Board of Education.

  • Special PK-12
    • Library Information Specialist
    • Reading Specialist
    • Reading Teacher
    • Technology Specialist
  • School Service Personnel
    • School Counseling
  • Administrative
    • Director of Special Education
    • Chief School Business Official
    • Principal
    • Superintendent
    • Teacher Leader
  • Teaching
    • Elementary Education-Master of Arts of Teaching

Questions about these endorsement programs should be addressed to the appropriate department.

Also see “Educator Licensure .”

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