Pritzker Tech Talent Labs / Teacher Training Programs / Teaching Endorsement in Computer Science

Teaching Endorsement in Computer Science

DPI is partnering with UIUC’s College of Education to launch the 5th Cohort of its Teaching Endorsement in Computer Science (CSTed) in the summer of 2025! With curriculum specifically focused on the teaching and learning of CS, this online plan of study is designed for current teachers with a valid Professional Educator License (PEL) in grades 5-12.

This 5-semester, cohort-based pathway was developed in partnership with UIUC Grainger College of Engineering, and meets the Illinois State Board of Education’s credit requirement for obtaining a subsequent teaching endorsement in computer science.

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Teaching Endorsement in Computer Science

The Next CS Teaching Endorsement Cohort Begins in the Summer of 2025: June 16th to August 7th

With an introductory Computer Programming and the CS Classroom course.

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Registration opens on April 24th, 2025 at 8 am

Enroll in CSTed Cohort

Key Features:

Accessibility. All courses are offered online and delivered synchronously.

Convenience. Attend one evening course during the school year.

Ongoing Support. Virtual office hours with faculty.

Community of Practice. Join a cohort and participate in peer mentoring with in-service educators throughout the State of Illinois.

Professional Development. Acquire knowledge and skills that are core to computer science, including: computer programming, computer systems, data structures, and more.

Reflective Practice. Reflect on your own process of learning about computer science and discuss the expected experience of your future students.

Enhanced Marketability. Demonstrate expertise and knowledge related to technology integration and curricular design in your classroom.

Networking. Build partnerships with organizations in the greater CS education community.

Relevant Pedagogy. Explore diverse applications of computer science (e.g. game design, data science, etc.) that can be implemented in your future classroom.

CS Endorsement Courses:

CI 438: Computer Programming and the CS Classroom (Summer 1)
This course introduces educators to the theoretical, pedagogical, and practical aspects of teaching computer programming in the K-12 classroom setting.
CI 480: Introduction to Computer Science for CS Teachers (Fall 1)
This course introduces the core concepts of CS and programming for educators to gain experience creating programs using text-based programming languages.
CI 487: Data Structures for CS Teachers (Spring 1)
This course provides opportunities for educators to reflect on the importance of data structure knowledge in the context of the CS classroom.
CI 486: Teaching Methods for CS Teachers (Summer 2)
This course is designed to help educators put instructional theory, especially as it relates to CS education, into practice.
CI 483: Computer Systems for CS Teachers (Fall 2)
This course teaches the fundamentals of how computers represent data, execute programs, manage inputs and outputs, and communicate together via networks.
CI 492: Discrete Mathematics for CS Teachers (Fall 2)
This course introduces fundamental mathematical concepts used for computations.
CI 488: Capstone Project for CS Teachers (Optional)