MEd Special Education Licensure & Endorsements
In addition to earning the Illinois Professional Educator License (PEL), students in the MEd Special Education program are eligible to pursue the following endorsements to the PEL:
Early Childhood Special Education Approval Heading link
This approval qualifies teachers with a Professional Educator License and LBS I endorsement to teach children with special needs, ages 3 through 5.
Learning Behavior Specialist I (LBS1) Endorsement Heading link
The Illinois Learning Behavior Specialist I endorsement enables teachers to work with students with a wide range of disabilities, ages 5 – 21, in several instructional delivery models that include teaching in inclusionary settings through consultation and collaborative teaching, and with small groups and in small class settings. Current general education teachers and those persons new to teaching are invited to apply.
Bilingual and English as a Second Language (ESL) Endorsements Heading link
The Bilingual and English as a Second Language (ESL) endorsements are for undergraduate or graduate students who are pursuing, or who have earned, an Illinois Professional Educator License. The endorsements enable students to teach in a Bilingual and/or English as a Second Language setting. Graduate students do not need to be admitted to a degree program to take the required courses.
Learning Behavior Specialist II (LBS2) Endorsements Heading link
LBS2 endorsements enable current special educators holding the LBS1 (ages 5-21) to become a specialist in several state-approved areas. UIC offers the following areas:
- Assistive Technology Specialist: Support students through use of a wide range of state-of-the-art Assistive Technology clinical services.
- Behavior Intervention Specialist: Support all students with challenging behaviors that may occur across multiple settings and concurrent with a range of other disabilities.
- Curriculum Adaptation Specialist: Support students by learning best practices to differentiate instruction for students with academic and behavioral support needs.
- Multiple Disabilities Specialist: Support students with physical and intellectual disabilities and families to enhance the quality of life; interface with agencies, families and related personnel.
- Transition Specialist: Support students and families to improve school outcomes; interface with community organizations and agencies.
LBS2 Endorsement Interest Form Heading link
If you would like to be notified of when the LBS2 courses are being offered again at UIC, please fill out the form below. Any questions can be directed to Alex Cantero acante2@uic.edu.