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Continuing Education

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ANNOUNCING SUMMER ENDORSEMENTS FOR TEACHERS

 

Advance your career with summer endorsements

Experienced teachers can acquire additional credentials by obtaining endorsements this summer! An endorsement can help you advance or transition to a new career!

Complete a teaching endorsement in just one summer! Or complete coursework toward a new endorsement! GU's research-based courses offer a supportive learning environment, ideal for career growth. Take standalone courses or apply them to endorsements or degrees. 

GU offers courses toward endorsements in:

Driver EducationSpecial Education
Early Childhood EducationTeaching English as a Second Language
Elementary EducationNEW! Early Childhood Special Education approval
Middle Grades Coursework


Courses fill quickly. Enroll today!

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I'd like to learn more about attending GU!

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Why choose continuing education at GU?

Acquire additional credentials with specialized endorsements and expand your career possibilities!

  • Classes are offered 100% online - work at your pace on your schedule, while on summer break from teaching.  
  • Transfer credits are considered - so talk to an admissions counselor. 
  • Various semester options to work with your busy schedule. 
 

Make the most of your summer break

  • Enhance your credentials
  • Expand your skillset
  • Boost your earning power
 

Programs Offered

Program description will clearly state when the program is offered and whether you can complete a full endorsement or coursework toward an endorsement with the Summer Endorsements for Teachers. 

 
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Why Summer Endorsements?

"Endorsements open up doors. A job you really want might not be available, but having additional certifications gives you more opportunities in different areas." – Zach P.

Why Summer Endorsements?

"I highly enjoyed my summer endorsement—I even went on vacation and was literally able to do my coursework on the beach!" – Kendall S.

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Frequently Asked Questions 

What is the pricing for the summer endorsement courses?

All endorsement courses are billed at the cost of $500 per credit with the exception of Drivers Education which is $550.

How many courses are in each of the endorsements offered?

We offer full coursework for the following endorsements: TESL, Elementary Education, Early Childhood, LBS1 and Driver’s Education. (check the program links to see which coursework is offered during the summer months)

How many courses are in each of the endorsements offered?

We offer methods courses for the middle grades endorsements towards math, science, social science, and English Language Arts.

Every course GU offers toward endorsements is approved by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE). There are content exams for all endorsements except for Driver’s Education. ISBE issues content exams that must be passed to complete the endorsements. If students feel they have completed courses toward the endorsement, they may apply for the endorsement with ISBE. ISBE will then review their transcripts and issue a deficiency letter stating what the student must take to complete the endorsement.

What are the credits and number of classes for each endorsement offered?

  • Driver’s Education – 6 classes for 18 total credits
  • Teaching English as a Second Language – 6 classes for 18 total credit hours plus 100 field hours in TESL. TESL does not require a content area test. The content area test can be found ILTS https://www.il.nesinc.com/PageView.aspx?f=GEN_Tests.html. Once the students pass the content area test- ILTS sends passing scores to ISBE.
  • Elementary Education – 6 classes for 19 credits / plus field experience required.
  • Early Childhood Education – 5 classes for 18 credits / plus field experience required.
  • Middle Grades coursework – Each methods course is 3 credits toward the total 18 credits required.
  • Learning Behavior Specialist 1 (LBS1) – 3 classes for 9 credit hours. The prerequisite of an exceptional child course must be met to complete the endorsement.

Do I need my professional educator license (PEL)?

Yes. To add an endorsement in Illinois, you will need to have your PEL already.

Are field hours required?

Yes. For certain courses within the endorsement, you may be required to complete field hours in your content area, via video or in-person. Please check with our endorsement specialist for more details.

Is there financial aid available for summer endorsement coursework?

Students need to be enrolled in at least 6 credit hours in one semester to apply for financial aid. Students are also welcome to set up a payment plan with student accounts.

Will GU assist me in finding a place for field experience or practicum if it is required as part of my coursework?

Yes, GU does assist with field experience and can answer any questions you have in that regard.

Do I need to pass a content test after I complete the coursework?

Yes. Please speak with the endorsement specialist for more information and a review of ISBE requirements.

Does GU provide information on testing for the endorsement?

All the endorsements GU offers coursework for does require a content exam, except for the Driver’s Education endorsement. This exam is administered directly by ISBE. Your faculty can assist you in discovering when and where to obtain the content exam.

Must I attend a lecture at a certain time each week

Courses are fully online and are asynchronous. That means there are no regular meeting times or zoom calls. You work toward deadlines, but you work at your own pace and when it is most convenient for you.

Do these courses count towards a master’s degree?

Yes. Many of our endorsement students choose to continue and complete the Master of Arts in Education. Our academic advisors at GU can explain how your coursework will satisfy graduate degree requirements.

Will a professor work with me if I’m on vacation or traveling?

The format for our online classes makes this typically a non-issue. You can work ahead if needed to accommodate for vacation or travel. If a need arises that would cause you a delay in your work, simply communicate with your instructor.

Learn more with blogs about the benefit of endorsements

University blog

Teaching Opportunities in the State of Illinois

Teaching opportunities in the State of Illinois Are you a teacher who is just starting your career? Or do you already have twenty years of experience...

T. Sunderland  |  January 31, 2025

University blog

Why This Summer May Be the Right Time for You to Earn Your Illinois ESL Endorsement

It’s said that teachers don’t have the summer off; they just do a year’s worth of work in 10 months! If you’re one of these...

T. Sunderland  |  February 11, 2025

University blog

Advancing Your Teaching Career with Online Endorsements

WHAT ABOUT YOUR EDUCATION? Teachers spend their entire careers focused on educating their students. However, when it comes to furthering their own education, there are limits...

T. Sunderland  |  February 05, 2025

 

Teaching Channel Partnership

Greenville partners with Teaching Channel to offer 300+ research-based, online courses that offer graduate-level continuing education designed to empower you to be your very best. Earn credits to renew your license or advance your career, while learning from your fellow teachers at your own pace, schedule, and budget. Select Greenville University as your partner!

Register with Teaching Channel

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