The primary focus of this program is to prepare teachers who already hold a certification for an additional Learning Behavior Specialist I (LBS I), Type 10 certification. Certification requires teachers to build a knowledge base to identify and intervene with students who exhibit a wide range of disabilities, including learning disabilities, cognitive impairments (mental retardation and traumatic brain injury), autism, social/emotional disabilities, and physical disabilities/other health impaired. Moreover, although the certificate will cover grades K-12, candidates will have a working knowledge of issues and strategies appropriate for the grades P-12. The coursework is designed to allow the candidate both to evaluate research and conduct action research in the classroom. Furthermore, varied clinical practice and field experiences are considered an integral part to all courses so that the candidate can apply theory to practice and practice to theoretical conceptualizations. Please note that candidates with an existing certificate will not be required to student teach, but will participate in an internship that will be tailored to broaden the candidate's base of experience in the field.
Candidates should be aware that the Illinois State Board of Education requires that these additional tests be passed before an LBS I certificate will be issued:
- The LBS I Content Area test (#155)
- The Special Education General Curriculum test (#163)
- The K-12 Assessment of Professional Teaching examination (#104)
State certification tests must be passed before the candidate may begin the final internship experience.
Program Requirements
For candidates who have an existing teaching certificate and wish to earn a Master’s in Special Education that will lead to the Learning Behavior Specialist I certification, candidates will complete certification courses plus a two course cognate, for a total of 48 semester hours.Course requirements for certification:
| SPED5510: | Characteristics and Identification of Disabilities and the Law | 4 hours |
| SPED5520: | Cognitive Development and Disabilities | 2 hours |
| SPED5550: | Social, Emotional, and Behavioral Development: Promoting Prosocial Behavior | 2 hours |
| SPED5551: | Intervention Strategies for Problematic Behavior | 2 hours |
| SPED5560: | Strategies and Assistive Technology for Students with Low Incidence and Multiple Disabilities | 2 hours |
| SPED5570: | Trends: Collaboration, Differentiating Instruction in the Inclusive Classroom, and Transition | 3 hours |
| SPED6510: | Psychoeducational Assessment of Students with Disabilities | 4 hours |
| SPED5530: | Oral Language Development & Disorders | 3 hours |
| SPED5540: | Diversity & Disability Issues: Students, Families, Schools, and the Community | 2 hours |
| SPED6520: | Reading Disabilities Theory and Interventions | 3 hours |
| SPED6530: | Written Language Development & Disorders | 3 hours |
| SPED6540: | Mathematics and Sciences Interventions for Students with Disabilities | 2 hours |
| SPED6550: | Introduction to Educational Research | 2 hours |
| SPED6560: | Unified Field Experience | 4 hours |
| SPED6570: | Internship and Action Research Seminar (assumes pervious student teaching experience/certification) | 4 hours |
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Hours required to complete certification course work: |
42 hours | |
Cognate requirements: Candidates will receive a Master’s in Special Education if they complete all requirements for certification as a Learning Behavior Specialist I and a two-course cognate in an area jointly agreed upon by the candidate and his or her advisor. Suggested areas include:
- Bilingual Education
- Reading Specialist
- Educational Leadership
- Regular education pedagogy
- Early Childhood Special Education
Transcript Evaluation
Candidates may request that their transcripts of previous coursework be reviewed for advanced standing in the program.
