Master's Programs in Special Education

The Department of Special Education offers multiple options for graduate study to meet the varying professional needs and goals of teachers interested in enhancing their competency to educate individuals with disabilities.

Master of Science Degree - online

The Master of Science program is designed to meet the advanced study needs of current teachers with special education licensure. The program focuses on developing leadership, action research, and other advanced competencies.

Master of Science in Education Degree - online

The MSED program is no longer active and has been replaced by the LBS I Graduate Certificate Program (see below for more details).

Master of Science in Education in Low Vision and Blindness Degree - online

This program is open to licensed teachers who want to gain specialized skills  to work with blind or visually impaired students covering ages three to twenty-one. The first cohort begins summer 2021.  The second cohort begins summer 2023.

Advanced Certificates

The Department of Special Education offers several advanced certificate programs aligned with the Illinois State Board of Education LBS II options. Behavior Intervention and Curriculum Adaption programs which can be taken as electives within the Master of Science program. Multiple Disabilities and Transition Specialist are programs offered either as electives within the Master of Science program or as stand-alone certificate programs.

For practicing general education teachers seeking a LBS 1 special education endorsement or who want to expand their ability to teach students with disabilities in their general education classrooms, we offer an online learning behavior specialist (LBS 1) certificate program.