Director of Special Education
Director of Special Education Endorsement
Special Education is a high needs area in the state of Illinois, including the need for qualified special education program directors. The Illinois State Board of Education policy allows for the addition of the Director of Special Education endorsement to a Professional Educator's License (PEL) with an existing administrative endorsement following the completion of 3 specified courses:
- Special Education Law
- Special Education Finance
- Supervision of Programs for Children with Disabilities
Learn more: Watch a recorded information session (passcode: 3g&B3K2o)
Special Education Director Eligibility
- Hold a professional educator license endorsed in an administrative field (or be currently enrolled in a program leading to an administrative endorsement).
- Complete a minimum of 21 graduate and/or undergraduate semester hours in special education including completion of a cross-categorical special education methods course.
The remainder of the semester hours may be in any of the following areas: curricular adaptation and modification and assistive technology, facilitation of least restrictive environment for all students, characteristics of students with disabilities, collaboration with parents and school personnel, transition services for students with disabilities, and educational and psychological diagnosis and remedial techniques.
- Provide evidence of 2 year's full-time experience providing special education services as a:
- Special education teacher
- Speech-language pathologist
- School counselor
- School nurse
- School social worker
- School psychologist
Important Dates
Summer 2025
Deadline to apply - April 4, 2025
Summer 2025 Course Schedule
- May 27 - August 1, 2025 - MEDU 635 - Disability Law, Policy and Historical Foundations in Special Education
- August 20 - October 10, 2025 - MEDU 636 - Supervision of Programs for Children with Exceptionalities
- October 15 - December 5, 2025 - MEDU 637 - Finance for Special Education Directors
Fall 2025
Deadline to apply - August 22, 2025
Fall 2025 Course Schedule
- October 15 - December 5, 2025 - MEDU 637 - Finance for Special Education Directors
- January 5 - February 27, 2026 - MEDU 635 - Disability Law, Policy and Historical Foundations in Special Education
- March 2 - April 24, 2026 - MEDU 636 - Supervision of Programs for Children with Exceptionalities
Curriculum
Courses are delivered 100% online in an asynchronous 8-week format. This gives you the flexibility to study from anywhere.
The next opportunity to enter is Summer 2025. Upon entry, candidates will complete the coursework in less than 2 semesters.
Director of Special Education Endorsement
Leads to eligibility for the State of Illinois Director of Special Education endorsement. In addition to earning or holding a Master's degree, candidates must:
- Hold a professional educator license endorsed in an administrative field (or be currently enrolled in a program leading to an administrative endorsement)
- Have completed a minimum of 21 graduate and/or undergraduate semester hours in special education including completion of a cross-categorical special education methods course
NOTE: The remainder of the required 21 semester hours may be in any of the following areas: curricular adaptation and modification and assistive technology, facilitation of least restrictive environment for all students, characteristics of students with disabilities, collaboration with parents and school personnel, transition services for students with disabilities and educational and psychological diagnosis and remedial techniques.
- Provide evidence of 2 year's 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
Nine credit hours to include:
How to Apply
The next entry point for DSE coursework is Summer 2025. The new 8-week online delivery model allows candidates to complete the coursework in 24 weeks.
The Director of Special Education endorsement is entitled by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE). Candidates apply for the endorsement through ISBE. Following completion of the 3 additional courses as well as clearing other deficiencies determined by ISBE, candidates submit evidence to ISBE who will then be entitled to the endorsement.
Application Process
- Complete our free online application
- A username and password will be generated and sent to the email you provide. You will have 30 days to complete the online application. Separately from the application, you will need to submit additional items depending on your program. In order to submit the online application, you will be required to upload the following:
- Statement of purpose
- A current resume
- A username and password will be generated and sent to the email you provide. You will have 30 days to complete the online application. Separately from the application, you will need to submit additional items depending on your program. In order to submit the online application, you will be required to upload the following:
- Submit official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions.
- Transcripts must show an earned bachelor's degree (if currently enrolled in a Master's degree program) or a Master's degree from a regionally accredited college or university and a minimum grade point average of 3.00 during the last 60 hours of a bachelor's degree or 3.00 for a Master's degree program.
- Request a transcript evaluation for the Director of Special Education endorsement from the ISBE.* Apply for the Director of Special Education (DSE) endorsement and request a transcript evaluation from the Illinois State Board of Education via the process outlined under "Application Process" Visit ISBE Educator Licensure Application (https://www.isbe.net/Pages/Educator-Licensure-Application.aspx). ISBE will issue a "deficiency letter" indicating the need for 3 additional courses (as well as other deficiencies to be resolved to qualify for the DSE endorsement).
*The ISBE deficiency letter must be submitted to the program coordinator prior to the start of the first course.
Submit all application materials to grad@noctrl.edu or by mail to the North Central College, School of Graduate and Professional Studies, 30 N. Brainard Street, Naperville IL 60540
Tuition and fees
Cost of Attendance
For more information on graduate tuition and fees, please visit our Cost of Attendance page.
Education Alliance Partnership
A 20% tuition benefit is available for educators working for one of North Central's Education Alliance Partner school districts. If you don't see your district on one of the lists on our website, please contact Jenny Jeschke to see how your district can become a partner with North Central.