Director of Special Education
Post Master's Endorsement
Program Highlights & Benefits
Up to 50% transfer credits considered
Access to job postings throughout Ohio
Personalized advising from start to finish
Network with teachers and administrators across the state
Admission Requirements
- Must have a master’s degree in special education or a related field from a regionally accredited institution.
- Must have at least two years of full-time experience providing special education services as a:
- special education teacher;
- speech-language pathologist;
- school counselor;
- school social worker; or
- school psychologist
Program Overview
The DOSE Post-master’s endorsement program is designed for candidates who seek the Director of Special Education Endorsement to add to their existing Ohio teaching license.
Coursework addresses the ISBE DOSE standards, national standards, field experiences / clinical practices, and the current ISBE DOSE content exam. Candidates will be prepared in competency and proficiency aligned with the Council for Exceptional Children Administrator of Special Education Professional Leadership Standards (2022): vision, mission, and direction-setting; legal & ethical practices for special education programs & services; management; program improvement; instructional leadership; human & fiscal management; collaboration and communication; advocacy; and responsiveness; including access to individualized general curriculum and individualized independence curriculum.
This program develops special education administrators who can design, implement, evaluate, supervise, manage, and lead programs in a variety of PreK-12+ public and private settings. Additional special education coursework may be required based on the candidate’s prior coursework.
Program Objectives
- Develop the abilities for research and critical thinking in the field of special education,
- Exhibit high standards of professional competence and ethical practice;
- Develop competency in special education leadership, administration, specialized instruction, curricular access, accessible technology, program development, and program evaluation;
- Improve understanding of the needs of families as it relates to special services;
- Understand the role of collaboration and advocacy in supporting key stakeholders specific;
- Expand existing special education and related service provider’s knowledge, skills, and application of leadership and advocacy relevant to special education, disability, and learning differences in PreK-12+ settings;
- Teach future special education administrators/directors to establish, supervise, and oversee equitable and effective special education systems;
- Analyze, synthesize, support, and lead change efforts related to teacher development in special education; and
- Successfully complete at least one course in each of the following areas of special education (Per 23 Illinois Administrative Code, Part 25, Section 25.365 (b)(1)): Special Education Law, Special Education Finance, Supervision of Programs for Children with Disabilities, Cross-Categorical Special Education Methods; and demonstrate proficiencies in field experiences/clinical practice.
Areas of Study
PATHWAY C: For students who have an out-of-state teaching license but not an Illinois PEL.
| Course Number | Title | Hours |
| SPED 6225 OR EDL 6225 | Special Education Finance | 3 |
| SPED 6250 OR EDL 6250 | Special Education Law and Policy | 3 |
| SPED 6375 | Supervision of Programs and Facilitation of LRE for Children with Disabilities | 3 |
| SPED 7030 OR SPED 6355 | Seminar in Low Incidence Disabilities Instructional Strategies for Students with Academic and Physical Challenges | 3 |
| SPED 7040 OR SPED 6365 OR SPED 6425 | Seminar in High Incidence Disabilities Instructional Strategies for Students with Specific Learning Disabilities and Emotional Disabilities Psychology & Methods of Teaching the Exceptional Learner | 3 |
| SPED 7900 | Special Education Leadership and Administration Internship | 3 |
Pathway C may require one or more additional coursework depending on applicant’s Master’s degree program content:
- Curricular adaptations/modification and/or assistive technology (e.g. SPED-6230 or SPED-7010)
- Facilitation of the least restrictive environment for all students (e.g. SPED-6375 already embedded in the program)
- Characteristics of students with disabilities (e.g. SPED-6350, SPED-6360)
- Collaboration of parents and school personnel (e.g. EDL-6310)
- Educational and psychological diagnosis and remedial techniques (e.g. SPED-6425)
Tuition Guarantee
The special per credit hour cohort tuition is $505. This rate is guaranteed not to increase over the life of the cohort. In addition, a technology fee of $18 per credit hour ($54 per 3 credit course) will be assessed for the purpose of supporting and enhancing student learning (Concordia e-mail, Blackboard, text notifications). The graduation fee will be assessed. We reserve the right to offer different tuition rates, or change the prices of other programs.
Admission Requirements
- Two years teaching experience
- Objective Statement essay
- Two letters of recommendation
- Official sealed academic transcripts from institutions where degrees were earned
- Copy of current Ohio teaching license (if applicable)
Once all materials are submitted and your file is complete, the following steps will be taken:
- Your file will be reviewed by the Graduate Admission Committee.
- An admission decision will be reached immediately following the committee review, and you will be notified in writing within a few days.
NOTE: Admission to Concordia University Chicago depends on several factors, including: the cumulative GPA, program fit, professional experience, letters of recommendation, and an objective statement (critical writing sample). Students who do not have an undergraduate cumulative GPA of at least 2.25 (on a 4.00 scale) will not be considered for admission.
Applicants may enroll in one semester of classes as a “pending” student awaiting an admission decision. Please note that participation and enrollment in the cohort does not guarantee admission to the University. Pending students who are denied admission will not be automatically withdrawn from the class, and will not receive a tuition refund. Pending students are not eligible for financial aid, therefore, please complete the admission process and submit official transcripts by the beginning of the semester for full admission to the graduate cohort program.
The Office of Graduate Admission and Enrollment Services will send a letter upon receipt of your application, and non-refundable $60.00 application fee (includes 1-year Associate Membership in OAESA). If you have any questions regarding your admission status, please feel free to contact us at:
Office of Graduate Admission and Enrollment Services
Phone: 708-209-4093
Fax: 708-209-3454
Email: graduate.admission@CUChicago.edu
Other Contacts:
| Cohort Information | Graduate Information Office | 800-946-9608 |
| Payment Plan | Office of Student Business Services | 708-209-3237 |
| Financial Assistance | Office of Student Financial Planning | 708-209-3113 |
| Online FAFSA form | www.fafsa.gov | 800-4-FED AID |
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