[request a revision or addition for this page or section]

5th Year Option in Special Education for Undergraduates in Elementary Education

degree requirements

Area of Specialization in Special Education:

UIC offers students in the undergraduate program in elementary education the opportunity to do an Area of Specialization in Special Education. This is excellent preparation for teaching students with disabilities who may be included in the general elementary education class.

For those students who select Special Education as their Area of Specialization, they also enroll in:

SPED 462: Assessment of Individuals with Disabilities
SPED 465: Cognitive Development and Disabilities
SED 582: Forging Collaboration with the Family and Community
SPED 472: Promoting Academic and Prosocial Behavior I
SPED 467: Social/Emotional Development and Disability

The Fifth Year Program Leading to LBSI and Master's Degree:

In slightly over 5 years of study, the individual can earn both the Bachelor's and Master's degrees as well as the certificates in Elementary Education and Special Education. Here's the plan -- Upon completion of the BA in Elementary Education with an Area of Specialization in Special Education, students will need to complete an additional 8 courses in Special Education (5 th year of study at UIC at the master's level) in order to be entitled to the LBS I certificate. Successful completion of the 15-course sequence will bring the student within 12 hours of completing a Master of Education degree in Special Education. We recommend the student complete the remaining 12 semester hours (4 courses) to earn the graduate degree.