Reading Teacher Endorsement without a Degree
Core courses for the Reading Teacher Endorsement on the Professional Educator License meet State of Illinois requirements for 24 semester credit hours of coursework in targeted areas and 65 clinical/fieldwork hours. Clinical/fieldwork hours are embedded in course assignments and are readily achievable by educators, whether or not they are currently employed in the schools. This program leads to a Reading Teacher Endorsement for those not seeking an additional degree.
In addition to the in College of Education admission requirements, candidates seeking coursework toward the Reading Teacher Endorsement must meet the following requirements:
1. A valid Illinois Professional Educator License with teaching endorsement.
2. Successful completion of the following program requirements.
Prerequisite: one 3 credit hour course in Reading (3)
Endorsement Requirements
Required courses (24)
| 52-504 | Technology in the Reading and Writing Program | 1 |
| 52-509 | Child and Adolescent Literature | 3 |
| 52-523 | Foundations and Methods of Teaching Reading Grades 4-12, Including the Content Areas | 3 |
| 52-524 | Foundations and Methods of Teaching Reading Grades P-3 | 3 |
| 52-527 | Teaching Reading to the Diverse Learner | 3 |
| 52-533 | Methods and Strategies for Reading Comprehension Instruction, Including Instructional Practicum for the Reading Teacher | 3 |
| 52-534 | Teaching Writing in the Literacy Program | 2 |
| 52-536 | Remediation of Reading Difficulties | 3 |
| 52-538 | Assessment and Diagnosis of Reading Problems | 3 |
65 Clinical/fieldwork hours which are embedded in required courses.
24 credit hours total are required for Reading Teacher Endorsement.
The following courses for dual Reading and ESL endorsement may be substituted for 52-527 and 52-538, respectively: 52-542, 52-539.
The design of the above program requires that an individual have at
least three hours of previous coursework in reading. Anyone who does not
have three hours of previous coursework can fulfill that deficiency
through Lewis University. Program faculty can also assist candidates who
seek coursework to fulfill a specific deficiency for endorsement in
credit hours or subject areas identified by the State of Illinois.
State Assessment Requirements
At the conclusion of the program, candidates seeking a Reading Teacher Endorsement on a Professional Educator License must pass the Illinois Test for the Reading Teacher, or its State-approved equivalent.