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Director of Special Education Certificate

Application Deadline and Contacts

Start TermDeadline
Fall April 1st

Contact

Admission Requirements

  1. A Completed Application Form. You may submit your application form online. 
  2. Official Transcripts
    Applicants must submit official transcripts for all undergraduate and any graduate work. PROOF OF A MASTERS or EDUCATION SPECIALIST DEGREE IS REQUIRED FOR THIS PATHWAY. To be eligible for admission for the Endorsement ONLY Certificate program, your transcript must show an earned Masters and/or Education Specialist Degree. Certified copies of transcripts are acceptable; faxed copies of transcripts are not considered official. If you attended Loyola University Chicago previously, you do not need to request transcripts; we have them on record. Transcripts must show a GPA of at least a 3.0. 

    In exceptional cases, applicants whose undergraduate GPA is below 3.0 may be admitted. Each program area gives meaningful consideration to the applicant's graduate GPA, recommendations, professional experience and reasons for pursuing a graduate program, as well as to the diversity of the student body.
  3. Two Letters of Recommendation
    If you supply your recommender's email address as part of your completed online application form, then your recommendation letters will be submitted directly through the online application system.

    We ask that you submit only two letters, no more, no less. Recommenders may be academic or professional in nature. 
  4. A Personal Statement
    Your statement should be 1-3 pages, and you should describe your:

    1. Academic and research interests, as well as your professional goals.
    2. Life experiences that have influenced your view of social justice.
    3. Any research and professional experiences.
    4. Include how you have demonstrated transformational leadership throughout your P-12 experience.
  5. Illinois Teaching License
    Proof of teaching or work experience must be submitted. A letter from the Ministry of Education or a local agency may be used for confirmation of work experience. At least two years of teaching or work experience relevant to your professional goals in a school or community organization or agency must be documented and submitted.
  6. Proof of Work Experience
    In addition to licensure, an applicant must demonstrate at least two years of experience in one of the following areas: special education, school psychology, school social work, speech-language pathology, school counseling, school nursing, or marriage-family therapy. A signed letter must be submitted documenting prior work experience as a special education teacher or school support personnel from an official able to verify years of experience.  
  7. Resume
    A current resume that highlights at least two years of work experience relevant to your professional goals and indicates a current position in the field.
  8. International Students
    Additional requirements for International applicants including English Language and Transcript & Credentials can be found on our International Students page

Admission Requirements

  1. A Completed Application Form. You may submit your application form online. 
  2. Official Transcripts
    Applicants must submit official transcripts for all undergraduate and any graduate work. PROOF OF A MASTERS or EDUCATION SPECIALIST DEGREE IS REQUIRED FOR THIS PATHWAY. To be eligible for admission for the Endorsement ONLY Certificate program, your transcript must show an earned Masters and/or Education Specialist Degree. Certified copies of transcripts are acceptable; faxed copies of transcripts are not considered official. If you attended Loyola University Chicago previously, you do not need to request transcripts; we have them on record. Transcripts must show a GPA of at least a 3.0. 

    In exceptional cases, applicants whose undergraduate GPA is below 3.0 may be admitted. Each program area gives meaningful consideration to the applicant's graduate GPA, recommendations, professional experience and reasons for pursuing a graduate program, as well as to the diversity of the student body.
  3. Two Letters of Recommendation
    If you supply your recommender's email address as part of your completed online application form, then your recommendation letters will be submitted directly through the online application system.

    We ask that you submit only two letters, no more, no less. Recommenders may be academic or professional in nature. 
  4. A Personal Statement
    Your statement should be 1-3 pages, and you should describe your:

    1. Academic and research interests, as well as your professional goals.
    2. Life experiences that have influenced your view of social justice.
    3. Any research and professional experiences.
    4. Include how you have demonstrated transformational leadership throughout your P-12 experience.
  5. Illinois Teaching License
    Proof of teaching or work experience must be submitted. A letter from the Ministry of Education or a local agency may be used for confirmation of work experience. At least two years of teaching or work experience relevant to your professional goals in a school or community organization or agency must be documented and submitted.
  6. Proof of Work Experience
    In addition to licensure, an applicant must demonstrate at least two years of experience in one of the following areas: special education, school psychology, school social work, speech-language pathology, school counseling, school nursing, or marriage-family therapy. A signed letter must be submitted documenting prior work experience as a special education teacher or school support personnel from an official able to verify years of experience.  
  7. Resume
    A current resume that highlights at least two years of work experience relevant to your professional goals and indicates a current position in the field.
  8. International Students
    Additional requirements for International applicants including English Language and Transcript & Credentials can be found on our International Students page