Oct 15, 2024  
2024-2025 University Bulletin 
    
2024-2025 University Bulletin

Special Education - B.A.


The major in Special Education prepares candidates for teaching students with disabilities in preschool through grade 12 in all academic subject areas as well as non-academic subjects including social skills and functional life skills. Through a carefully planned set of coursework, field, and clinical experiences, special education candidates develop knowledge and gain experience in the practices of effective special education teachers including implementing evidence-based interventions; collaborating with general educators, related service providers, and parents and families; administering assessments; and interpreting data to monitor student progress and the effectiveness of their own teaching practices.

Candidates who complete the major in special education are eligible for a Professional Educators License (PEL) from the Illinois State Board of Education with a Learning Behavior Specialist I endorsement and an ESL approval. Students majoring in the special education and earning the Learning Behavior Specialist I (K-22) Professional Educator Licensure program will earn the Early Childhood Special Education Approval.

 

Core Content Coursework


The following core content courses are required:

Optional Courses


Optional Pathways


Students majoring in the special education who are bilingual can add an Approval in Bilingual Education to their Professional Educator License by completing one additional course,

  EDUC 412 - Methods and Materials of Teaching in a Bilingual Classroom