Middle School Endorsement
Undergraduate students enroll is EDFN 313 in conjunction with the coursework for their major to qualify for the middle school endorsement. Speak with your academic advisor first to determine if the Middle School Endorsement is recommended for you. You may also contact the Ms. Jennifer Grzelak (Coordinator Student Services) (x5528) LWH 4020C (j-grzelak@neiu.edu).
Middle School Endorsement for Certified Teachers
Why do you need the endorsement?
As of July 1, 1997, the State of Illinois requires the middle school endorsement for all teachers in grades 5-8/9 where 50% or more of the work assignment is in a single subject area. Under No Child Left Behind, you may not be seen as a “highly qualified teacher” if you lack the endorsement. Each school district determines the NCLB standards based on federal guidelines. The important issue is that the State of Illinois mandates the endorsement.
What is the endorsement?
The endorsement is an “add on” to the elementary or secondary teaching certificate. It is added-on to the specialization areas. Once certified, additional subject-matter endorsements are usually not granted by the state unless you also do this endorsement. Illinois does not typically allow reciprocity, you take both classes at the same institution. We suggest you take them at the same time.
How do you get the endorsement?
Illinois certified teachers with a bachelor’s degree complete two graduate-level courses of three credits each:
-EDFN 420 - Contemporary Issues In Middle Level Education (Formerly EDFN 418A: Seminar in Development and Learning: Middle School-An Overview);
and
-EDFN 421: Middle School Advisory and Counseling (Formerly COUN 417: Middle School Advisory and Counseling)
These two courses count for the, “ 3 semester hours in middle school philosophy” and "3 semester hours in educational psychology of early adolescents." Upon completion, you submit the state request form, fee, transcripts, etc., to the state for the endorsement to be added to your teaching certificate.
NEIU offers the classes in our summer term (registration begins in March), in our fall term (registration begins in April), and in our spring term (registration begins in October). We can also arrange to set up a contract with your school if there are 10 or more teachers needing the courses.
How do you register for these courses?
You must complete the graduate school student-at-large form, unless you have already been accepted into the NEIU graduate college or have already been admitted or admitted and attended as a student-at-large. Students graduating from NEIU with a bachelor’s degree automatically have their status changed to student-at-large and should not submit another application. If you have an out-of-country degree, additional documentation is needed. Find the application form for either NEIU Student- at- Large or Graduate College with instructions here https://www.applyweb.com/apply/neiu/.
* ALWAYS CHECK THE ELECTRONIC VERSION OF COURSES FOR THE MOST UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION ON AVAILABLE CLASSES (written schedules appear far in advance and are subject to change). This information is found both on NEIUport at http://neiuport.neiu.edu or on the Prospective or Current Student tabs on the NEIU home page http://www.neiu.edu
Undergraduate students enroll is EDFN 313 in conjunction with the coursework for their major to qualify for the middle school endorsement. Speak with your academic advisor first to determine if the Middle School Endorsement is recommended for you. You may also contact the Ms. Jennifer Grzelak (Coordinator Student Services) (x5528) LWH 4020C (j-grzelak@neiu.edu).
Middle School Endorsement for Certified Teachers
Why do you need the endorsement?
As of July 1, 1997, the State of Illinois requires the middle school endorsement for all teachers in grades 5-8/9 where 50% or more of the work assignment is in a single subject area. Under No Child Left Behind, you may not be seen as a “highly qualified teacher” if you lack the endorsement. Each school district determines the NCLB standards based on federal guidelines. The important issue is that the State of Illinois mandates the endorsement.
What is the endorsement?
The endorsement is an “add on” to the elementary or secondary teaching certificate. It is added-on to the specialization areas. Once certified, additional subject-matter endorsements are usually not granted by the state unless you also do this endorsement. Illinois does not typically allow reciprocity, you take both classes at the same institution. We suggest you take them at the same time.
How do you get the endorsement?
Illinois certified teachers with a bachelor’s degree complete two graduate-level courses of three credits each:
-EDFN 420 - Contemporary Issues In Middle Level Education (Formerly EDFN 418A: Seminar in Development and Learning: Middle School-An Overview);
and
-EDFN 421: Middle School Advisory and Counseling (Formerly COUN 417: Middle School Advisory and Counseling)
These two courses count for the, “ 3 semester hours in middle school philosophy” and "3 semester hours in educational psychology of early adolescents." Upon completion, you submit the state request form, fee, transcripts, etc., to the state for the endorsement to be added to your teaching certificate.
NEIU offers the classes in our summer term (registration begins in March), in our fall term (registration begins in April), and in our spring term (registration begins in October). We can also arrange to set up a contract with your school if there are 10 or more teachers needing the courses.
How do you register for these courses?
You must complete the graduate school student-at-large form, unless you have already been accepted into the NEIU graduate college or have already been admitted or admitted and attended as a student-at-large. Students graduating from NEIU with a bachelor’s degree automatically have their status changed to student-at-large and should not submit another application. If you have an out-of-country degree, additional documentation is needed. Find the application form for either NEIU Student- at- Large or Graduate College with instructions here https://www.applyweb.com/apply/neiu/.
* ALWAYS CHECK THE ELECTRONIC VERSION OF COURSES FOR THE MOST UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION ON AVAILABLE CLASSES (written schedules appear far in advance and are subject to change). This information is found both on NEIUport at http://neiuport.neiu.edu or on the Prospective or Current Student tabs on the NEIU home page http://www.neiu.edu