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Admissions Portal

    Paraprofessionals Unlocking Licensure in Special Education (PULSE)

    Program Description

    The PULSE program is designed for special education paraprofessionals with at least 2 full years of experience as a paraprofessional working with students with IEPs seeking to earn their Professional Educator’s License (PEL) in Special Education with a Learning Behavioral Specialist I endorsement. An associates degree or at least 60 earned credit hours is also required for admission.  

    Program Requirements:

    • Associate's degree (Associate of Arts) or 60+ hours with IAI Requirements or General Education requirements completed
    • Courses
    • 2-years experience as a paraprofessional in a Special Education Setting
    • Completed PULSE Employer Acknowledgement Form; this form should be completed by an administrator in your district/cooperative and demonstrate their support for you completing the program, including clinical and student teaching, while employed as a paraprofessional.


    Applications for Summer 2023 are now closed. 

    The deadline for Summer 2024 pre-applications with unofficial college transcripts is December 1, 2023.

    About You

    Birthdate
    Birthdate
    Mailing Address
    Mailing Address
    What is the highest level of education you will have completed before enrolling in the PULSE program?
    What is the highest level of education you will have completed before enrolling in the PULSE program?
    What grade level(s) do you currently support or have experience teaching? (Check all that apply)
    What grade level(s) do you currently support or have experience teaching? (Check all that apply)

    How did you hear about our program?

    How did you hear about our program?

    Supplemental Materials

    In order to review your academic performance for unofficial admission review and to identify any needed coursework to complete at your community college partner, we will need to complete an unofficial transcript review. Please submit unofficial transcripts from all colleges attended.

    Summer 2024 pre-application with unofficial transcripts Deadline: December 1, 2023. 

    These materials may be submitted online below, emailed, or mailed to:

    Melissa Ramirez
    College of Education
    Illinois State University
    Campus Box 5300, DeGarmo 508
    Normal, IL 61790-5300