SEDBSED - Special Education - Bachelor of Science in Education

With the passage of appropriate licensing exams, this program leads to Illinois Professional Licensure for Learning Behavior Specialist I. The Learning and Behavior Specialist prepares students to teach children from kindergarten through age 21 with learning, emotional, or intellectual disabilities, orthopedic impairments, autism spectrum disorders, multiple disabilities, traumatic brain injuries, or other health impairments who receive special education services

A grade of C or better is required in all SED, TCH, CSD, PSY and EAF required major courses.

12 hours of SED 399A01 Student Teaching required.

With the passage of appropriate licensing exams, this program leads to Illinois Professional Licensure for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Specialist. Specialists in Deaf and Hard of Hearing teach students in preschool through age 21 in public schools and other specialized programs. Students in this specialty take courses in language, literacy, audiology, and sign language. Sequence-specific assessment: Passing score on communication proficiency (i.e. ASL PI) prior to student teaching.

A grade of C or better is required in all SED, TCH, CSD, PSY and EAF major required courses.

12 hours of SED 399 Student Teaching required.

With the passage of appropriate licensing exams, this program leads to Illinois Professional Licensure for Low Vision and Blindness Specialist. Teachers of children with visual impairments work with learners who are blind or visually impaired, from preschool through age 21. Sequence-specific assessment: Braille proficiency tests.

A grade of C or better is required in all SED, TCH, CSD, PSY and EAF required major courses.

12 hours of SED 399A02 Student Teaching required.

With the passage of appropriate licensing exams, this program leads to Illinois Professional Licensure for Learning Behavior Specialist I (LBS I) for paraprofessionals. The Learning and Behavior Specialist prepares students to teach children from kindergarten through age 21 with learning, emotional, or intellectual disabilities, orthopedic impairments, autism spectrum disorders, multiple disabilities, traumatic brain injuries, or other health impairments who receive special education services.

This program is a Major in Special Education, Specialist LBS I Online Sequence for paraprofessionals who want to be licensed as an LBS I.

In addition to meeting University requirements for graduation and teacher education requirements, our department requires students enter Illinois State University with:

• A minimum of 60 credit hours earned, including an Introduction to Special Education course (e.g., Illinois State University’s SED 101), and Fundamentals of Psychology (e.g., Illinois State University’s PSY 110) course

• A baccalaureate-oriented Associates Degree (A.A. or A.S.) from a regionally accredited post-secondary institution. For those transferring from an Illinois college or university, the A.S. degree must include the complete Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI) General Education Core Curriculum (GECC) Or have completed the Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI) General Education Core Curriculum (GECC).

• An approved Illinois Articulation Initiative General Education Core Curriculum course with a "D" designation to satisfy the IDEAS Graduation Requirement

• An approved Illinois Articulation Initiative General Education Core Curriculum course with an "N" designation to satisfy the AMALI Graduation Requirement

• At least two years working as a paraprofessional with students with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs)

Visit the Special Education Department website for more information about the admission requirements, including required documentation, process, and timeline. Additional information about the curriculum and plan of study for this online sequence is also available on the Specialist in Learning and Behavior Online Sequence website.

As a part of participation in the PULSE program, students are required to maintain employment as a paraprofessional throughout the duration of the pre-student teaching and student teaching semesters. This employment status is essential for ensuring that students gain practical, hands-on experience while completing the required coursework (SED 390, 392, 252.01, 252.02 and SED 399A01).

If a student is unable to remain employed as a paraprofessional, a non-paid clinical and/or student teaching placement option will be provided within one hour of the student’s home address. Please note that such a placement alternative may extend the student's duration in the program and/or impact the specific clinical opportunities available to the student.

The Major in Special Education, Specialist in Learning and Behavior Online Sequence majors must successfully complete:

• Pre-student teaching: Clinical Experiences in Teacher Education are designed to meet professional performance standards. These experiences include successful completion of a minimum number of semester hours through enrollment in appropriate field experience coursework during their Field Base semester (SED 252A01, 252A02). Additional teaching or related experiences may be included as a part of core or specific sequence requirements. Performance evaluations must recommend that the student advance to student teaching prior to doing so. Repeat of field experience coursework requires the consent of the Department Chair. Students are responsible for housing arrangements and transportation to clinical sites.

• A full semester of Student Teaching (SED 399A01) for which teacher candidates are awarded 12 semester hours of credit is required. In order to be recommended for initial licensure, candidates must demonstrate during this capstone experience that they have obtained competence in the knowledge, performance, and disposition areas designated by the profession of special education and this department.

• Passage of all applicable teacher licensure assessments.

• A minimum GPA of 2.50 is required both overall and in major coursework for retention in all Special Education programs.

A grade of C or better is required in all SED required major courses.

Students in this sequence will work closely with an advisor for a transcript review and meet graduation and licensure requirements.

12 hours of SED 399A01 required.