This online program is designed to enable licensed teachers to obtain the endorsement required to provide English as a Second Language (ESL) instruction. Upon completion of the endorsement coursework, candidates will have the option to complete additional coursework to receive a Master of Arts in Education degree.

This program is designed for teachers who are either:

  • Employed currently in education programs serving English as a Second Language students, or
  • Preparing for or seeking employment as English as a Second Language teachers.

Candidates with a valid Learning Behavior Specialist (LBS) I endorsement on their current educator license are eligible to complete an English as a Second Language approval. The difference between the approval (9 semester hours) and the endorsement (18 semester hours) is that the approval allows individuals with a LBS I endorsement the ability to work with English Language Learners with Individualized Education Plans, while the full endorsement allows individuals to work with English Language Learners at the PK-12 grade range.

You may apply for the State of Illinois English as a Second Language Endorsement upon satisfactory completion of the prescribed curriculum while maintaining a grade point average of 3.0 out of 4.0.

In addition to coursework, candidates for English as a Second Language Endorsement must have 100 clock hours in English as a Second Language field experiences (candidate must have access to English Language Learners) or have three months of teaching experience in an English as a Second Language program.

Endorsements can only be added to a valid Illinois Professional Educator License. Upon completion of the coursework, apply for this endorsement through the License Office at Dominican University. Once entitled, you must apply for the endorsement in your Educator Licensure Information System (ELIS) account.

  • Summer I 2025: May 5–June 24; application deadline April 25
  • Summer II 2025: June 30-August 18; application deadline June 20
  • Fall I 2025: August 25–October 17; application deadline: August 15
  • Fall II 2025: October 20–December 13; application deadline: October 10
  • Spring I 2026: January 12—March 6 ; application deadline December 12 (Please note the university is closed from December 22-January 1)
  • Spring II 2026: March 16-May 1; application deadline February 27 (Please note spring break is March 9–15)

Candidates for the approval must hold a valid Illinois Professional Educator License with a Learning Behavior Specialist (LBS) I endorsement. Upon completion of the coursework, apply for this approval by submitting an application online in your Educator Licensure Information System (ELIS) account.

The program can be completed in approximately three to four semesters.

ESL Endorsement Learning Outcomes

  • Understand theoretical foundations of bilingual education and teaching ESL
  • Demonstrate assessment of the bilingual student
  • Apply methods and materials for teaching ESL
  • Apply methods and materials for teaching limited-English-proficient students in bilingual programs
  • Understand cross-cultural studies for teaching limited-English proficient students

Course Descriptions

Links below open in new window

For more information,
please contact:

Office of Graduate Admission
Enrollment Management
gradinfo@dom.edu

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