The Teacher Leader Endorsement program is a cross-disciplinary program that provides practicing licensed teachers who desire to take on diverse leadership roles with knowledge of both curriculum studies and educational leadership, which will allow them to become effective and competent leaders.
Teacher leaders can be resource providers to other teachers, helping them implement effective teaching strategies, and classroom supporters who assist teachers in developing new ideas through demonstration or co-teaching. Teacher leaders can facilitate professional learning opportunities for teachers, engage peers by leading data-driven discussions and serve as catalysts for change by looking for better ways to generate analysis for student learning and success.
The Teacher Leader program is designed for individuals who are educators in K-12 environments who have earned a master’s degree and are seeking to become leaders in districts or schools as department chairs, team leaders and other school leaders but who are not seeking principalship.
The program’s core curriculum includes a foundational course in school-wide visioning of English Language Learners (ELL), a serious need in the Chicago metropolitan area.
Are you interested in enrolling in this program?
View its admission requirements and application instructions here or contact the College of Education’s Office of Graduate Admissions at (773) 325-4405.
Licensure/Endorsement
The Teacher Leader Endorsement program allows students who have already obtained a master’s degree an opportunity to obtain the Teacher Leader Endorsement from the Illinois State Board of Education, which can be added to an Illinois Professional Educator License (PEL).
Program Format
To accommodate working professionals, DePaul College of Education offers graduate courses that meet on weekday evenings. Other course delivery options within the program include hybrid courses (a blend of on-campus and online classes) and fully online courses. In addition, students may choose their pace through this program, selecting a full-time course load (two courses per quarter) to complete the program in two years or a part-time course load (one course per quarter) to complete the program in three years.
Program Requirements
The Teacher Leader Endorsement program includes 10 courses (40 quarter hours) in Education Leadership, Curriculum Studies and Bilingual/Bicultural Education.
This graduate certificate program is approved as a Gainful Employment Program through the U.S. Department of Education and is, therefore, eligible for Federal Student Aid.
Admission Requirements
To be eligible for the Teacher Leader endorsement program, students must hold a bachelor’s degree and master's degree from an accredited college or university and hold a valid teaching license.
To apply, please submit the following items to The Office of Graduate Admission:
- A completed application
- Online application fee
- 2 years of full-time teaching on a valid standard teaching Licensure at the time of application
- One official transcript from all colleges and/or universities attended
- A resume or curriculum vitae
- Two letters of recommendation from professors or employers
- Statement of purpose indicating professional development goals and related experience (750 words)
Course Requirements
This non-degree program allows students who already have a Master’s degree to obtain an ISBE Teacher Leader Endorsement. Candidates already holding a Master’s degree (M.Ed. or M.A.) and a professional educator license may enter the program seeking the Teacher Leader Endorsement. Students not holding a Master’s degree must complete either the existing Educational Leadership or Curriculum Studies Master’s program and obtain their professional educator license before they can obtain the Teacher Leader Endorsement.
40 Quarter Hours, Grade of C or Better Required in All Courses
Course List
| Course |
Title |
Quarter Hours |
| A&S 491 | EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP OF SCHOOLS | 4 |
| A&S 493 | DATA DRIVEN DECISION MAKING | 4 |
| A&S 496 | STAKEHOLDER RELATIONSHIPS | 4 |
| A&S 498 | INSTRUCTIONAL SUPERVISION AND SUPPORT | 4 |
| A&S 499 | PLANNING FOR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT | 4 |
| CS 470 | TEACHERS AS LEADERS | 4 |
| CS 473 | ASSESSMENT | 4 |
| CS 482 | THE HISTORY OF CURRICULUM PRACTICE | 4 |
| CS 488 | CURRICULUM DESIGN | 4 |
| BBE 599 | LEADERSHIP IN EDUCATING LINGUISTICALLY DIVERSE LEARNERS | 4 |
This graduate certificate program is approved as a Gainful Employment Program through the U.S. Department of Education and is, therefore, eligible for Federal Student Aid.
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