Adding a Specialty Endorsement
Adding endorsements to existing Initial and Continuing Teaching Licenses can be completed in one of two ways:
Option A: Practicum & Praxis [4]
If the specialty area content has previously been acquired through experience or prescribed coursework, the candidate is only required to demonstrate subject knowledge by passing the PRAXIS II exam and instructional skill at the appropriate level via a supervised practicum, completing one work sample, and teaching from that sample.
| Core Requirements for Practicum & Praxis Option | ||
| Course Code | Course Title | Credits |
| EDGR 500 | Professional Planning Seminar and completion of the Professional Education Plan (PEP) | 1 |
| EDCI 599 | Practicum (Demonstration of instructional expertise in the additional endorsement area. Includes development of one work sample) | 2 |
| EDGR 697 | Professional Assessment Seminar (Passing score on the Praxis II specialty area) | 1 |
| TOTAL (semester hours) | 4 | |
Option B: Coursework & Practicum & Praxis [16 — 19]
If the specialty area content has not been acquired through experience or prescribed coursework, the candidate is required to A) complete the endorsement coursework; B) demonstrate subject knowledge by passing the PRAXIS II test; C) demonstrate instructional skill at the appropriate level via a supervised practicum; and D) complete and teach from one work sample.
Choose ONE Strand:
This specialty is for those who have a strong passion for teaching young children, ages 3 through 8 (pre-kindergarten through primary grades) and is based on the belief that children learn best through active, hands-on learning. Participants will explore current trends and research, design developmentally appropriate curriculum, and develop skills in advocating for young children.
| Course Code | Course Title |
Credits |
| Required: | ||
| EDGR 500 | Professional Planning Seminar and completion of the Professional Education Plan (PEP) | 1 |
| EDCI 503 | Issues and Advocacy in ECE | 3 |
| EDCI 504 | Early Childhood Curriculum: A Constructivist Approach | 3 |
| EDCI 505 | Play in Early Childhood Education | 3 |
| EDCI 589 | Emerging Literacy | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | ||
| EDCI 582 | Diagnosis and Assessment of Reading | 3 |
| EDCI 584 | Young Adult and Children's Literature | 3 |
| EDCI 599 | ECE Practicum | 2 |
| Additional Required Course: | ||
| EDGR 697 | Professional Assessment Seminar | 1 |
| TOTAL (semester hours) | 16 - 17 | |
A specialty endorsement for teachers at any authorization level who wish to develop instructional strategies that better accommodate students whose native language is not English.
| Course Code | Course Title |
Credits |
| EDGR 500 | Professional Planning Seminar and completion of the Professional Education Plan (PEP) | 1 |
| EDCI 538 | Strategies and Materials for Teaching English-Learners | 3 |
| EDCI 539 | Linguistics | 3 |
| EDCI 540 | Language and Culture in the Classroom | 3 |
| EDCI 541 | Language Acquisition | 2 |
| EDCI 543 | Assessing English-Learners | 2 |
| EDCI 585 | ESOL Practicum (includes development of one work sample) | 2 |
| EDGR 697 | Professional Assessment Seminar | 1 |
| Passing score on the ORELA specialty test for the endorsement | ||
| TOTAL (semester hours) | 17 | |
The courses provide instructors with pertinent subject matter background as well as the current trends and research relating to the teaching of health and physical education.
| Course Code | Course Title |
Credits |
| EDGR 500 | Professional Planning Seminar and completion of the Professional Education Plan (PEP) | 1 |
| EDCI 514 | Instructional Analysis and Development of Teaching HPE | 3 |
| EDCI 515 | Issues and Research in HPE | 3 |
| Select three of the following: | ||
| EDCI 516 | Authentic and Alternative Assessment in H/ | 2 |
| EDCI 517 | Innovative Curriculum in H/PE | 2 |
| EDCI 518 | Management and Behavioral Issues in H/PE | 2 |
| EDCI 519 | Diversity in H/PE | 2 |
| Additional required courses: | ||
| EDCI 599 | Practicum (Includes development of one work sample) | 2 |
| EDGR 697 | Professional Assessment Seminar | 1 |
| TOTAL (semester hours) | 16 | |
The courses required for the Reading Specialist Endorsement will enhance instructional skills in the area of literacy, provide the knowledge and experience base needed to serve as a reading specialist, prepare candidates for the TSPC-required reading test, and meet the content requirements for adding a "Reading Specialist Endorsement" to an initial or Continuing Teaching License. Passing the Praxis II Reading exam is currently required.
| Course Code | Course Title |
Credits |
| EDGR 500 | Professional Planning Seminar and completion of the Professional Education Plan (PEP) | 1 |
| EDCI 581 | Organization and Management of Reading Programs | 3 |
| EDCI 582 | Diagnosis and Assessment of Reading | 3 |
| EDCI 583 | Advanced Techniques for Teaching Reading (ECE-HS) | 3 |
| EDCI 584 | Young Adult and Children's Literature | 3 |
| EDCI 586 | Current Issues in Literacy | 3 |
| EDCI 579 | Reading Specialists Practicum | 2 |
| EDGR 697 | Professional Assessment Seminar | 1 |
| TOTAL (semester hours) | 19 | |