Special Education (BA or BS)
Department: Education
The special education major prepares you for the State of Illinois Professional Educator’s License in Special Education, which qualifies you to teach children through young adults with special needs from Kindergarten to age 22. You will also develop skills to work with students on an academic curriculum or students with more extensive complex needs who require a functional living skills curriculum. Completion of this major will develop your skills in providing a variety of academic and behavioral interventions to improve the quality of life and increase greater independence for all individuals with disabilities.
Special Education Professional Education Courses – 75 or 76 hours
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| EDU 107 | Conceptualizing Math for Teachers I | 3.0 |
| EDU 108 | Conceptualizing Math for Teachers II | 3.0 |
| EDU 115 | The History of Education in the United States | 3.0 |
| EDU 116 | Introductory Field Experience | 1.0 |
| EDU 210 | Human Development from Birth to Young Adulthood | 3.0 |
| EDU 215 | Strategies for Effective Teaching | 3.0 |
| or EDU 216 | Effective Planning and Instruction for Teaching | |
| EDU 219 | Human Development and Effective Field Experience | 1.0 |
| or EDU 237 | Practicum for Teaching English Learners I | |
| EDU 230 | Adapting Curriculum to Support Inclusive Environments | 2.0-3.0 |
| or EDU 232 | Meeting the Needs of All Students within the Disciplines | |
| EDU 234 | Language Development | 3.0 |
| EDU 235 | Methods of Teaching English Language Learners | 3.0 |
| EDU 280 | Exploring Diversity: Learners, Families, And Communities | 3.0 |
| EDU 291 | Assistive Technology for Individuals with Special Needs | 3.0 |
| EDU 305 | Novice Teaching Experience in a LBSI Setting | 4.0 |
| EDU 313 | Methods of Literacy I: Reading, Writing and Language Grades 1-2 | 3.0 |
| EDU 345 | Guiding Learners: Creating Safe, Inclusive Learning Enviro Environments | 3.0 |
| EDU 391 | Characteristics and Methods for Learners with Developmental Disabilities | 3.0 |
| EDU 393 | Characteristics and Methods for Learners with Emotional and Learning Disabilities | 3.0 |
| EDU 395 | High School Special Education | 3.0 |
| EDU 425 | Life Planning for Learners with Exceptionalities | 3.0 |
| EDU 426 | Assessments for Learners with Exceptionalities | 3.0 |
| EDU 445 | Multidisciplinary Collaboration | 3.0 |
| EDU 496 | Student Teaching in LBS I | 12.0 |
| Select one of the following: | 4.0 | |
| Science through Inquiry I: Motion (Biology, Physics) | ||
| Science through Inquiry I: Special Topics | ||
| Science through Inquiry I: Molecules (Biology and Chemistry) | ||
| Science through Inquiry I: Energy (Biology, Physics) | ||
| Science through Inquiry I: Water (Biology, Chemistry) | ||
| Total Hours | 75-76 | |
In our special education major, you will have the opportunity with elective credit to pursue an additional teaching endorsement or pursue a minor. If you are interested in adding an additional content area endorsement, please discuss with your academic advisor.
Early Childhood Special Education Approval
For special education majors who want ECE Special Education Approval, which will allow them to teach preschool children with disabilities, the following courses may be added to their major:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| EDU 324 | Early Childhood Special Education Methods | 3.0 |
| EDU 443 | Early Childhood Assessment | 3.0 |
Elementary Education Endorsement
Adding the elementary education endorsement will allow you to teach in an elementary Grades 1-6.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| EDU 315 | Methods of Literacy II: Reading, Writing and Language: Grades 3-8 | 3.0 |
| EDU 335 | Methods of Teaching Social Studies Grades 1-6 | 3.0 |
| EDU 336 | Methods of Teaching Science Grades 1-6 | 3.0 |
| EDU 339 | Methods of Teaching Mathematics Grades 1-6 | 3.0 |
ESL Endorsement
Adding the ESL endorsement will allow you to teach English Language Learners in Grades K-12.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| EDU 236 | Assessment of English Language Learners | 3.0 |
| EDU 237 | Practicum for Teaching English Learners I | 1.0 |
| EDU 240 | Practicum for Teaching English Learners Part 2 | 2.0 |
| ENG 311 | Introduction to Language | 3.0 |
Middle Grades Endorsement
For special education majors interested in adding a middle grades content area endorsement, which would enable you to teach multiple content areas in Grades 5-8, you would be required to take the specific content methods course (3 hours) and a minimum of 15 hours of related content area coursework.
- 15 hours of related content area coursework (literacy, math, science, social science)
- 3 hours of specific methods