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Department of Special Education

The Department of Special Education offers a major in special education. Students who successfully complete the special education major will qualify for certification as a Learning Behavior Specialist I in the State of Illinois.

Instructional time in the major typically begins in the freshman year and increases through the senior year. Students participate in the assessment and instruction of children with special needs in a variety of classroom settings in the local schools. Sixteen weeks of student teaching are required, with the time distributed equally between elementary and secondary levels. Upon graduation, students will qualify to teach exceptional children K-age 21 as LBS I teachers.

Students are urged to contact the special education adviser in Horrabin Hall 91 to obtain assistance in planning their programs to meet certification requirements. All majors must be accepted into the Teacher Education Program (TEP) and must meet all TEP and departmental requirements to continue in the program. Students may complete a dual certification program for Special Education and Elementary Education.