Reading Teacher Endorsement without a Degree
Core courses for the Reading Teacher Endorsement on the Professional Educator License meet State of Illinois requirements for 18 semester credit hours of coursework in targeted areas. Clinical/fieldwork hours experiences that meet International Literacy Association standards 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 Department 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.
Endorsement Requirements
Program: NOND-RDTC-3
Required Courses (18)
| RDLT-50900 | Child and Adolescent Literature | 3 |
| RDLT-52300 | Foundations and Methods of Teaching Content Area Reading and Intermediate-Adolescent Literacy | 3 |
| RDLT-52400 | Foundations and Methods of Teaching Developmental Reading and Early Literacy | 3 |
| RDLT-53300 | Strategic Comprehension Instruction and Practicum for the Reading Teacher | 3 |
| RDLT-53600 | Theory and Practice for Intervention and Remediation of Reading | 3 |
| RDLT-53900 | Assessment of Literacy and English Language Learning | 3 |
Clinical/fieldwork experiences are embedded in course assignments.
Electives:
The following elective courses may be substituted for courses in the Reading endorsement or for dual Reading and ESL endorsement students, depending on prior coursework in reading.
| RDLT-52700 | Teaching Reading to the Diverse Learner | 3 |
| RDLT-54400 | Instruction and Resources for Developing Multiliteracies | 3 |
RDLT 52700 may substitute for RDLT 52300, 52400, or 53600
RDLT 54400 may substitute for RDLT 50900
The following courses may be substituted for Reading endorsement students:
- RDLT 53800 for RDLT 53900
Program faculty can assist in determining which courses must be taken to fulfill state requirements for endorsement.
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.