The need for special education teachers is urgent, especially in urban areas like Chicago. Research indicates that a shortage of special education teachers disproportionately affects minority students, particularly in urban school districts that have large majorities of African American and Latino students.
About UIC's MEd Special Education program:
- Several tuition funding sources & scholarship opportunities
- No GRE and no IL TAP test required
- Evening courses can be taken full- or part-time, with face-to-face, blended and online formats
The program welcomes students entirely new to teaching, current teachers new to special education, current special education teachers and students seeking new knowledge about special education but who are not interested in teacher licensure or Illinois endorsements.
Information Session Dates Heading link
Interested in pursuing a special education license, endorsement, or in becoming a Board Certified Behavior Analyst? Attend an upcoming information session to learn more about our programs. All information sessions start at 5:00pm on the following dates. Please complete the interest form to receive the login information prior to the session.
- January 23, 2023
- February 9, 2023
- February 22, 2023
- March 7, 2023
- March 22, 2023
- April 3, 2023
- April 20, 2023
- May 1, 2023
Earn Endorsements to your Illinois teaching license (PEL) Heading link
Special Ed master’s students have the option to pursue several different endorsements from the State of Illinois in addition to licensure:
- Early Childhood Special Education
- Bilingual or English as a Second Language (ESL)
- Learning Behavior Specialist I (LBS1) for ages 5-21
- Learning Behavior Specialist II (LBS2) for advanced specialization:
- Assistive technology
- Behavior intervention
- Curriculum adaptation (inclusion)
- Multiple disabilities
- Transition
Endorsement only: Licensed teachers have the option to earn these endorsements without completing a master’s degree program through UIC Extended Campus (LBS1 starting Fall 2020).
