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Admissions Portal

    Paraprofessionals Unlocking Licensure in Special Education (PULSE)

    The PULSE program is designed for special education paraprofessionals with at least 2 full years of experience as a paraprofessional working with  K-12 students with IEPs seeking to earn their Professional Educator’s License (PEL) in Special Education with a Learning Behavioral Specialist I endorsement (K-12). 

    Please submit this form along with your unofficial transcripts from all colleges attended. 

    The deadline for Summer 2025 pre-applications with unofficial college transcripts is December 1, 2024.

    Birthdate
    Birthdate
    Mailing Address
    Mailing Address
    What is the higher level of education you will have completed before enrolling in the PULSE program?
    What is the higher level of education you will have completed before enrolling in the PULSE program?
    What grade level(s) do you currently support of have experience teaching? (Check all that apply)
    What grade level(s) do you currently support of have experience teaching? (Check all that apply)
    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 2025 pre-application with unofficial transcripts Deadline: December 1, 2024. 

    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

    All PULSE candidates must receive support from their school district/cooperative to be considered for admissions in the program. Selected participants will be completing clinical experiences and student teaching within the district they are employed in. The Department of Special Education is committed to ensuring that all PULSE participants are able to fulfill their paraprofessional job responsibilities and will work with each district/cooperative to develop clinical experiences that are appropriate for both the participant's job duties and the PULSE program requirements.
    Are you bilingual/multilingual?
    Are you bilingual/multilingual?
    Race/Ethnicity
    Race/Ethnicity
    How did you hear about our program?
    How did you hear about our program?