Special Education

Overview

The special education program at SIUE is a nationally recognized program delivered through a collaborative partnership agreement between SIUE and public school districts. Classroom teachers and university professors work together to provide special education candidates a unique opportunity to regularly interact with children with disabilities from pre-K to age 21.

In conjunction with the early childhood program, the special education program also provides courses required for early childhood special education approval. The special education program offers Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation-approved programs at the undergraduate level for teaching licensure as a learning behavior specialist (LBS I).

What can I do with a degree in special education?

Graduates of the undergraduate special education program have a wide range of options for employment. Not only are our graduates licensed in ages pre-K through age 21, but also in a wide range of disabilities. There is a growing need for special educators nationwide, and that growth is anticipated to continue in the years to come. Special education teachers are currently considered a teacher shortage area in Illinois.

Diversity Statement

SIUE’s teacher education programs foster teacher candidates’ ability to understand and meet professional responsibilities by modeling respect and value for diversity. Candidates create and engage their students in practices that develop awareness, understanding, respect and a valuing of the forms of diversity that exist in society and their importance in learning and teaching. The School of Education, Health and Human Behavior teacher education programs are dedicated to supporting all teacher education candidates, regardless of their economic or social status, and advocates for the rights of students free from discrimination based on race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, creed, religion, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identification, ability or age.

Professional Credential Disclosure

This program is intended to prepare students for licensure/certification meeting educational requirements established by regulatory boards in the state of Illinois. Licensure/certification requirements can vary by state. If you intend to practice or teach inside or outside the state of Illinois, please visit our professional licensure webpage.

Hands-on Learning/Clinical Experiences

Hands-on Learning
At SIUE, we combine classroom instruction and ample opportunities for practical experiences in a variety of settings.

In-class activities
Simulations in the Virtual Professional Practice Lab
Case studies
School-based projects
Undergraduate research
Service-learning projects

Our programs also make extensive use of field-based partnerships through field trips, practica and student teaching. Students are placed in a variety of diverse field experiences that allow them to interact with children and learn through real-world application.

Clinical Experiences
Candidates progress through a series of developmentally sequenced field experiences for the full range of ages, types and levels of abilities, and collaborative opportunities that are appropriate to the learning behavior specialist. These experiences are supervised by qualified professionals. Experiences must be completed prior to student teaching and are arranged through the School of Education, Health and Human Behavior Student Services.