Special Education Endorsement (LBS1)
Format: Hybrid | Department: Education | Time to Complete: 1 Year | Total Estimated Tuition Costs: $8,100
The Special Education endorsement for the State of Illinois may be earned through a 4- to 5-course sequence. The endorsement may be added to an Illinois early childhood, elementary, secondary or special PK-12 license. The endorsement requires the equivalent of 15 semester hours; however, an introduction to special education methods course may be substituted for one of the graduate courses. The State of Illinois Learning Behavior Specialist 1 exam is required for this endorsement.
All teachers earning an endorsement who want to add the endorsement to their Professional Educator License (PEL) should apply online. Applicants must currently be employment in a school setting or have regular access to a classroom environment.
Course Requirements
Course offerings reflect the 2026-2027. All graduate courses are 3 semester hours unless otherwise noted.
The special education endorsement on an Illinois Professional Educator License (PEL) requires the completion of five core courses:
- MTL 514 Characteristics of Learners with Disabilities
- MTL 524 The Educational Assessment Process and Learners with Disabilities
- MTL 532 Teaching and Learning in the Diverse Classroom (may be waived for teachers who completed an introduction to special education as part of their initial licensure)
- MTL 535 Curriculum and Instruction for Learners with High Incidence Disabilities
- MTL 537 Curriculum and Instruction for Learners with Low Incidence Disabilities
Some coursework requires working with students with mild-moderate/severe disabilities.
The Special Education endorsement may also be earned as part of 35-semester-hour M.S.Ed. in Special Education.
Educators with an LBS1 endorsement can also elect to have an Illinois ESL Letter of approval added to their credentials which requires three courses:
- MTL 558 Theoretical Foundations of Teaching English Language Learners
- MTL 579 Methods and Materials for Teaching English Language Learners
- MTL 587 Assessment of English Language Learners
Admission Requirements
You will need:
- An application for admission for graduate study: apply online.
- Official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions you have attended. (Elmhurst University alumni do not need to request a copy of their Elmhurst transcripts.)
- A copy of your Illinois Professional Educator License (PEL).
- A current resume including:
- PEL with expiration and renewal dates, and endorsements
- Undergraduate degree and graduate courses completed
- A record of your current and past teaching positions
- Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or foreign equivalent. Students in our graduate education programs must currently be employment in a school setting or have regular access to a classroom environment.
In my opinion, (this program) is the best in the nation! You are receiving a holistic approach to education—putting the needs of the student first and leveraging students’ strengths and assets to propel them to success. I enjoyed the small class sizes and the frequent feedback and support from professors.
Baochau Thomas, '04, M.Ed. '08