Special Education, M.Ed.
FAQ's
The College of Education is recognized nationally for the quality of its graduate programs. Our mission is to work with communities toward solutions to the challenges facing metropolitan area schools and to prepare leaders in educational research, teaching, administration and policy development. For additional information on the College of Education go to the following website: www.education.uic.edu
Our M.Ed. programs are unique because of the flexibility; we offer three “areas of concentration” with a range of experiences within each. All programs have a focus on the study of special education in urban and culturally diverse schools.
Concentration 1 is for persons who want to gain additional knowledge about students with disabilities and skills. Close to 60% of students with disabilities are educated in general education classrooms, and general educators often seek additional understandings in order to support all students learning. With Concentration 1, you earn the masters degree and no entitlement to teacher certification.
- Number of Required Semester Hours = 35
- With an advisor, tailor program to your interests
- Choose amongst three internships as culminating experience
- Students interested in Concentration I: practicing general and special educators with a teaching certificate who want to learn more about serving all students; occupational and physical therapists; students who are taking the first step toward a career in research and aim to seek the PhD; students who plan to go to other professional schools (e.g., law school) and are interested in linking their future profession to education.
Concentration 2 is for persons who already hold an Illinois LBS1 (or equivalent from another state) and want to specialize in knowledge and skills related to particular populations. Students choose one or two specializations (click here for list of specializations).
- Required Semester Hours = 35
- In addition to the master’s degree, students in Concentration II will seek the Learning Behavior Specialist II Illinois certificate.
Concentration 3 is for persons new to teaching special education. You either never taught before, or you hold a certificate to teach but want to earn an additional certificate to teach students with disabilities. If you want to teach students with disabilities specifically, follow Concentration 3 and earn the masters degree and be entitled to the Illinois Type 10, LBS1.
- Number of Required Semester Hours for Degree and Certificate = 44 or 50
- Concentration III is designed for individuals who aim to become special education teachers. These students will earn the master’s degree plus the special education teaching certificate called the Learning Behavior Specialist I (LBS I). Those with an LBS I certificate are eligible to teach children and adolescents in 7 disability categories: Learning Disabilities; Emotional and Social Challenges; Mental Retardation; Autism; Physical Disabilities; Traumatic Brain Injury; and Other Health Impaired.
- Examples of Students who are interested in Concentration III: Practicing early childhood, elementary, or secondary teachers who want to become special education teachers; those entering the teaching profession from other fields (e.g., accounting, business management, sociology, psychology).
Additional studies that lead to endorsements and approvals are available in early childhood and/or bilingual special education. For additional information on those, and general information, visit www.education.uic.edu/sped.
It varies upon how many credits are taken each semester. Students usually complete our programs within about 1.5 years – 2.5 years depending on how many credits are taken each semester. Usually, students take 2 – 3 courses per semester and a summer course (while working full-time). Full-time and part-time options are available.
Applicants are considered on the quality of their admission portfolio, including:
- Professionals Goal Statement: Statement must reflect your interests in working within an urban setting and/or experiences with students with special needs.
- Letters of Recommendation: Three letters need to be submitted with specific comments regarding the applicant’s qualifications and commitment to teaching in an urban setting.
- Transcripts: Official, sealed transcripts from each college or university you have attended must be submitted. At least 2.75 GPA (A=4.0) for the final 60 semester hours (90 quarter hours) of undergraduate study, and 3.0 GPA for post baccalaureate or graduate coursework.
- Interview and Impromptu Writing Sample: Applicants will be contacted by the Special Education Program to schedule a faculty interview and will be asked to write a short essay at that time.
Learn more about the admission requirements and where to send materials at: www.education.uic.edu
6. What are the admission requirements for the LBS2?
All applicants must:
· 2.75 in the last 60 hours of undergraduate work, and 3.0 grade point average in graduate work (as shown in university transcripts the applicant submits)
· Completed or willingness to take a course in research methods
· One or more years of teaching experience with students with disabilities, including student teaching (as shown through letter from current principal)
· Three letters of recommendation (including evaluation of dispositions)
· Professional goal statement (according to directions)
· Interview and impromptu writing sample
The state of Illinois created the LBS2 to recognize that many special educators may seek to develop specialized knowledge for working with particular populations. The LBS2 enables special educators to construct knowledge and skills related to six specializations: assistive technology, behavior intervention, bilingual special education, curriculum adaptation (which focuses on inclusion), multiple disabilities, and transition. Educators with LBS2 can focus on teaching in those areas, and might also provide leadership.
8. Do I have to teach for a particular number of years before I earn the LBS2?
Yes, you need to have taught two years in special education (in Illinois or elsewhere). You can take the coursework before you complete those years and then be entitled to the LBS2 certificate after completing the teaching years. Though some students may not have two years of special education teaching when they begin their studies, they do have it completed by the time they finish and are entitled to the certificate.
9. In Concentration 2 for the different specializations, how many courses do I need to take?
For each specialization, you must take six (6) courses as specified (click here for the LBS2 courses chart). Except for students pursuing the LBS2 in bilingual special education only, all students will take SpEd 522 in the first or second semester. All students in all specializations will take SpEd 578 in the last semester of the program. SpEd 578 is an internship in which all students complete 90 hours of work in settings closely aligned to the student’s chosen LBS2 specialty.
10. What must I do at the end of the LBS2 program to demonstrate my competency?
· Meet LBS II Content Area Standards for specialty, as evidence by meeting or exceeding requirements on all standards-based assessments included in courses.
· Meet disposition requirements as indicated by scores on assessment checklist at conclusion of SPED 578.
· Receive “proficient” ratings on submitted portfolio
· Successful completion of content test for LBS II (and APT if not completed previously)
11. Internships – what are they, and what do they require?
All concentrations in all programs require internships that are supervised. In some programs, the student will take an additional internship called Assessment Clinic.
In Concentration 1, the advisor and student choose the final internships, and usually choose between Classroom-based Inquiry or Research Internship. In Concentration 2, all students will take Classroom-based Inquiry. In Concentration 3, students will be advised and take either Field Internship (if you have no prior teaching experience) or Classroom-based Inquiry (you have a prior certificate.)
Both the Classroom-based Inquiry and Field Internship are 90 hours, and all hours must be completed in an approved setting that has a sustained partnership with UIC Department of Special Education. Specifics about the internships will be discussed at new student orientations and, during the program, in Internship Information Sessions.
*** For students completing the Behavior Interventionist Specialization in LBS2 who also wish to earn BCBA Board Certification, a total of 780 hours will need to be completed and an exam taken. More information is available through our department.
12. What about student teaching?
If you have no previous certification or student teaching, you will need to student teach for one semester in a Chicago Public School. We have numerous partner relationships with schools, and you will be placed according to your interests and other factors. In student teaching you follow the school hours where you are placed (generally, about 7:45 - 3:00), and attend every day. On Thursdays you spend the afternoon on campus in seminars with two professors. You learn ways to plan, teach and assess all students with a range of strengths and challenges.
If you are previously certified, have completed a successful student teaching, and meet other requirements connected to minimal years of teaching, you might qualify for a waiver of student teaching in special education and instead complete the program with the SpEd 578 Classroom-based Inquiry Internship. Each situation is reviewed individually.
We encourage applicants and students to check the UIC information about financial aid at www.usfco.uillinois.edu and to explore the College of Education’s webpage on “Funding your Education”, click here. Both Perkins and Stafford federal loans are available, and could offer “forgiveness” when graduates choose to teach in certain schools.
The Department of Special Education has a limited number of tuition and fee waivers.
14. Who should I contact if I have questions?
For general information about our programs, please contact Alex Cantero, Assistant to the Chair, via telephone or email at 312-996-5650 or acante2@uic.edu
15. What are the deadlines for applying to the program?
October 1 for Spring admission
*** Please note that we do not offer summer semester admission in any of our masters programs.