Admission to the Director of Special Education Post Master's Certificate Program

Admission to the Director of Special Education Post Master's Certificate Program at Illinois State University is competitive. Prior to admission to the Department of Special Education, you must be admitted to the graduate program at Illinois State University. Learn more about the Director of Special Education post master's certificate (pdf).

Minimum Admission Criteria

• Master's Degree and current certification in one of the following:
  • Special Education
  • Educational Administration and Foundations
  • School Psychology
  • School Social Work
  • Speech Language Pathology
  • School Guidance and Counseling
• Transcript documenting a minimum grade point average of 3.0 on a 4-point scale
• Two or more years of successful teaching experience or related service experience
• Three letters of recommendation documenting appropriate disposition for advanced study in the administration of special education

Admission to Illinois State Graduate Program

• Explore the Illinois State University Graduate School Web site
• Apply online
• Learn international students admission information.

Admission to the Department of Special Education

Prospective students are required to submit an admission portfolio to the Department. The portfolio must include:

• cover letter outlining professional goals
• current resume
• photocopies of current teaching certificates and/or licensures
• letter documenting a minimum of two years of successful teaching or related service experience
• three departmental recommendation forms (pdf) completed by an employer or colleague which address disposition for advanced study or administration of special education
• additional artifacts of the applicant's choosing (optional)

Send the portfolio to: Department of Special Education, Director of Special Education Program Coordinator, Campus Box 5910, Normal, IL 61790-5910. Applicants may be asked to provide further information or to participate in an interview process to determine a match between their previous preparation and current goals and the focus of the plan of study. Admission portfolios are reviewed and acted upon by the Director of Special Education Program Coordinator.