Information for Accepted Students

Congratulations on your acceptance into the Learning Behavior Specialist Endorsement at Dominican University! Here is information that will help you get started.

You’re accepted! Now what?

You can get started on completing the online orientation now! This is highly recommended prior to beginning your coursework.

  • Contact your advisor. Send your academic advisor, John Snakenborg, a quick email to introduce yourself.
  • Submit your registration. You will receive specific instructions via email and mail regarding your initial registration and which course/s you can register for in your first term. Your first enrollment needs to be done by paper registration. That registration will generate a Dominican email account and password, which will be sent within a couple of days to the email address we have on record for you.
  • You will complete future registrations online through MyDU. Your Dominican email account will be the standard means of communication while you are in the program, so it is important that your account be set up promptly (if you already have a Dominican email account, you will not need to set up a new account). If you experience difficulties accessing or using your email account, please contact the IT Help Desk at (708)524-6888.

         Click here to access a blank registration form.

         Be sure to sign and date the form at the bottom. Registration forms must be received no later than 4:00 p.m. on the deadline date for each term. Returning students can register online using MyDU. View registration deadlines.

         Fax or email the forms to:

         Monica Halloran

         College of Applied Social Sciences

         Dominican University

         F: (708) 524-6657

         T: (708) 524-6054

         mhallora@dom.edu

Newly registered? Now what?

If you haven't done so yet, you must view all six portions of the online orientation. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I apply/transfer previous coursework toward my ESL or Bilingual approval or endorsement?

The School of Education will accept one previously completed course from an accredited university or college and still entitle a candidate that completes the remainder of their coursework through Dominican University for the English as a Second Language or Bilingual endorsement.

Candidates hoping to apply previous coursework toward their endorsement must provide John Snakenborg with an electronic copy of the transcript and the applicable course description for the coursework completed.

What if I have completed more than one course from a previous institution?

Candidates who have completed more than one course at a former university/college can still apply to Dominican University’s English as a Second Language or Bilingual endorsement program and take courses at the discounted cost per credit hour ($200) if they are completing three or more courses. Upon completion of their coursework at Dominican, these candidates must apply directly to the Illinois State Board of Education for their endorsement through their Educator Licensure Information System (ELIS) account.

What if I only need to complete one or two courses to complete my ESL or Bilingual endorsement or approval?

If you only need to complete one or two courses to complete the endorsement or approval, you will be required to apply to the School of Education as a student at-large. Candidates taking courses as a student at-large will be charged a different cost per credit hour ($550).

Do I need access to English Language Learners to complete the ESL or Bilingual endorsement or approval?

Yes. The Illinois State Board of Education requires that candidates complete 100 clock hours of experience working with English Language Learners. These clock hours are embedded in the following courses at Dominican:

  • EDU 651 - Methods and Materials for Teaching English as a Second Language
  • EDU 653 - Methods and Materials for Teaching in Bilingual Education Programs
  • EDU 654 - Assessment of English Language Learners
  • EDU 661 - Literacy Development for English Language Learners

While the approval does not require field experience hours at the state level, because the hours are embedded in the courses through assignments, candidates seeking the ESL or Bilingual approval will need access to English Language Learners to complete the applicable courses listed above.

Can the ESL or Bilingual endorsement or approval be added to an Educator License with Stipulations (ELS)?

No. An ESL or Bilingual endorsement or approval  can only be added to a Professional Educator License (PEL). Candidates with an Educator License with Stipulations can begin their ESL or Bilingual endorsement or approval coursework, but the endorsement will not be recognized by the Illinois State Board of Education until the candidate has a valid Professional Educator License.

What is the difference between an approval and an endorsement?

The difference between the approval (9 semester hours - 3 courses) and the endorsement (18 semester hours - 6 courses) is that the approval is only available to candidates who currently hold a valid Learning Behavior Specialist (LBS) I endorsement on their Professional Educator License. The approval allows these individuals the credential needed to work with English Language Learners who hold an Individualized Education Plan (IEP). The full endorsement is applicable to the full age range that a candidate is endorsed to teach.

Candidates who hold a Learning Behavior Specialist I endorsement can begin the ESL or Bilingual approval program and later continue to complete the additional 3 courses to receive the full endorsement.

How do I register for courses?

If you have submitted your application and have been admitted into the program, you will receive notification with specific instructions for submitting your registration form. Your first registration form needs to be done by paper registration. Follow the instructions on the “Accepted Student Checklist” that will be sent to you and submit your paper registration prior to the beginning of the semester.

Can I register for two courses in one 7.5-week session?

Given the accelerated and rigorous nature of our courses, we strongly recommend that candidates only register for one course per 7.5-week session.

When will I be able to log in to my Dominican email account, MyDU and Canvas?

Once your initial registration has been received and processed by the registrar's office, you will receive an automated email from the IT department requesting that you set up your Dominican University username and password. Your Dominican email account will be the standard means of communication while you are in the program (if you already have a Dominican email account, you will not need to set up a new account). You will also use this username and password to login to MyDU and Canvas.

If you experience any difficulties in accessing or using your email account, please contact the IT Help Desk at (708) 524-6888 or supportcenter@dom.edu.

How do I complete the online orientation if I do not yet have my Dominican username and password set up?

You do NOT need access to your username and password to complete the online orientation. You can begin completing the online orientation without having your username and password established.

I submitted my registration form a day or two ago, but I have not yet received an email from IT to set up my username and password.

There may be a piece of information missing from your application. Contact the Office of Graduate Admission to verify that your application is complete.

You can also try using the MyAccount System to gain access to your account:

  • MyAccount System: Set up or reset your password. Go to myaccount.dom.edu and click on “Setup/Manage My Account.” Your Dominican Network ID will be the first letter of your first name followed by your last name. Your temporary password to input is your birth date followed by “Dom.” For example, an individual born on January 1, 2011, would input 01012011Dom. Follow the remaining steps to set up your account.

Your DU email address is formed by the first letter of your first name followed by your last name, followed by “@my.dom.edu”. If you continue to experience challenges accessing your account, please contact the support center at supportcenter@dom.edu or (708) 524-6888.

How do I pay for my classes?

Tuition is due on the first day of class and can be paid in the Student Accounts Office or online. A bill will not be mailed to you. You will receive an email notification sent to your Dominican email address that your e-bill is ready to be viewed. Students who are not able to pay in full may elect a monthly payment plan for a fee of $45.00 per semester. The payment plan must be elected by the first day of class.

If tuition is not paid in full by the first day of class and a monthly payment plan is not elected by that date, students are subject to a $90 non-refundable deferment fee and ongoing finance charges.

Methods of Payment

  • Credit/Debit Cards. Tuition payments can be made using MasterCard, Discover, Visa and American Express. Make your credit card payment online by logging on to MyDU, going to the Student tab and then to My Student Accounts. Payments will include a 2.75% convenience fee.
  • eChecks. Student Accounts accepts eChecks through our online portal. You will find this by logging on to MyDU, going to the Student tab and then to My Student Accounts. Then select the “Go to CASHNet” link. There is no fee for processing an eCheck. Convenience checks from credit card issuers, wire transfers and company reimbursement are also accepted methods of payment. Please refer to the Student Accounts MyDU page for more details.

Tuition Refunds

Full-tuition refunds are only available during the first week of class. Refunds thereafter are issued on a declining sliding scale. In order to be eligible for a refund, you must follow the university procedures for dropping a class: 

  • Prior to the University’s add/drop deadline for the term, you should be able to drop online by logging in to MyDU. 
  • After the add/drop deadline, drops need to be processed using a paper drop form obtained from the Registrar’s office and signed off on by your advisor, John Snakenborg. 

The above described procedures are the only accepted methods of dropping a class. Non-attendance/participation in class, emailing the course instructor about your intention to drop, etc., are not acceptable methods for dropping a class.

For questions regarding billing, please contact the Student Accounts Office.

What will I use MyDU for?

Once you have set up your Dominican account, you will be able to log in to MyDU. MyDU is a platform used by students to check their student schedules, look at final grades, register for future courses, view and pay their e-bill, complete course evaluations, etc.

What will I use Canvas for?

Canvas is the portal you will use to access your course. Your courses will be published to Canvas on their start date. This is where you will view course requirements, submit assignments and participate in the course. Click here to view a short guide on how to use the Canvas system.

How do I drop my course(s)?

You can drop your course by logging into MyDU. Once you log in, you can drop your courses by clicking “Add/Drop Courses” in your viewer. After the add/drop deadline, drops will need to be processed using a paper drop form obtained from the Registrar's office and signed off on by your advisor, John Snakenborg.