This certificate is designed to meet the standards for the Illinois Director Credential (IDC) (Level 2) of the Illinois Network of Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies (INCCRRA) found at https://www.ilgateways.com. The Illinois Director's Credential is recognized as a high standard for leadership preparation when early childhood programs go through accreditation by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and seek recognition by ExceleRate Illinois. Upon successful completion of this certificate, along with required experiential hours, students are eligible to apply for the Illinois Director Credential from INCCRRA.
Applicants for the Illinois Director Credential must hold or be imminently eligible for a bachelor's degree in a child-related major and must meet INCCRRA Early Childhood Education (ECE) credential requirements for ECE Level 5. ECE credentialing coursework may be completed concurrently with director credentialing coursework; however, one cannot obtain a director's credential without the ECE credential. To earn the NIU certificate, students must maintain a good academic standing in the university, achieve a minimum grade of C in each certificate course, achieve a GPA of 2.50 in all certificate courses, and complete all certificate course work within five academic years.