Lesley Degree and Certificate Programs
ONLINE PROGRAMS
Certificate Programs
Autism Spectrum Disorders
Emergent Technologies
Internet & Society
Mathematics in Education
Online Teaching
Science in Education
Special Education
Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
Master's Degree Programs
Effective Teaching, M.Ed.
Individually Designed Program for Educators, M.Ed.
Mathematics Education, M.Ed.
Science in Education, M.Ed.
Educational Technology, M.Ed.
LOW RESIDENCY PROGRAMS (residency takes place in Cambridge, MA)
Ph.D. in Educational Studies with Specialization in Adult Learning
Ph.D. in Educational Studies with Specialization in Educational Leadership
M.S. in Ecological Teaching and Learning
TEACHER CERTIFICATION FOR EDUCATORS in ILLINOIS
Are you a current educator in Illinois and interested in learning more about the process to add a level or an additional field to your educator certificate? If so, read more to help guide you through the process.
Endorsement of Teaching Certificates
General information regarding certification procedures is available on ISBE’s Educator Certification Website at www.isbe.net/certification.
An endorsement is a statement appearing on a certificate that identifies the specific subjects or grade levels that the certificate holder is authorized to teach.
Illinois Elementary and Secondary certificates must be endorsed at the time of issuance in all subjects for which the holder meets applicable requirements.
Visit www.isbe.state.il.us for a full listing of Illinois teaching endorsements.
Endorsement Earned Through Direct Application
An educator may obtain an Illinois endorsement in the three areas listed below by successfully completing the corresponding Lesley program. Applicants should submit for review all official transcripts and application to the Illinois State Board of Education.
English as a Second Language endorsement: Students should complete the full 18-credit TESOL program. This program will require 100-hours of field work (or 3 months of teaching experience) in an ESL setting.
Middle Grades Mathematics endorsement: All middle school endorsements require the six semester hours of professional education middle school coursework in addition to the content requirements listed below.* Requirements for this endorsement include a three semester hour course in methods of teaching mathematics in the middle grades and 15 semester hours selected from four of the topics below:
a. Math content courses for elementary teachers
b. Calculus
c. Modern algebra or number theory
d. Geometry
e. Computer science
f. Probability and statistics
g. History of mathematics
*See Explanation for Middle school required coursework
Middle Grades General Science endorsement: This endorsement requires 18 semester hours with coursework in physical & biological sciences and six semester hours of professional education middle school coursework. See Explanation for Middle school required coursework.
Technology Specialist endorsement: You will need to complete 24 credits in the Educational Technology program and pass the Illinois Technology Specialist (#178) content test. The suggested 24 credits of coursework are:
ECOMP 5007 21st Century Learning
ECOMP 6016 Teaching & Learning with Digital Media
ECOMP 6106 Designing Curriculum that Integrates Technology
ECOMP 6102 Using Technology to Assess Content Standards and Technology Skills
ECOMP 6101 Technology: Impact on Society & Schools
ECOMP 6020 Digital Technologies: How They Work
ECOMP 7010 Emerging Technologies
Please note: it is important that students interested in earning an endorsement through Lesley programs contact the Illinois State Board of Education prior to registration to ensure that you are informed of the certification requirements needed to receive an endorsement.
Authorization and Teacher Certification in Illinois
Authorization: Lesley University is not required to seek authorization to operate based on Lesley's current activity within this state, as determined by the Illinois Board of Higher Education.
Teacher Certification: Higher education authorization and teacher certification approval are separate entities. For more information on teacher certification, visit the
Illinois State Board of Education.
Faculty Spotlight
Elizabeth Stringer Keefe
Assistant Professor
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