The graduate program in Special Education (LBS 1) Studies is designed for individuals seeking certification and a career teaching Special Education in elementary or secondary schools. The program is designed to serve individuals seeking their initial teaching certification or those practicing teachers seeking to expand their certification to include the LBS 1 endorsement.
Candidates in the program examine current educational theory and practice while exploring a variety of viewpoints to reflectively develop their professional competence. They learn and practice teaching methods through field experience integrated within the coursework and program, and expand their awareness of the respect for the unique issues facing special needs students from age 3 to 21.
A capstone semester long student teaching or practicum experience is completed in a Special Education classroom under the joint supervision of a highly qualified cooperating teacher and the University. Upon completion of the capstone experience, candidates in the program are eligible to be recommended for an Illinois Type 10 certificate with a Special Education (LBS I) endorsement.
Curriculum Requirements
The Special Education program for a candidate seeking initial certification consists of 54 hours of course work. The program can be completed in six semesters (which includes summers). Candidates may choose to proceed at a slower pace if they wish. The candidate who already has an elementary education certificate will take 36 hours and can be completed in five semesters. The candidate that has a secondary/special area K-12 certificate will need 42 hours and six semesters to complete the degree. (See course work below.) Additional curriculum information can be found in the graduate catalog. McKendree 2008-09 Graduate Catalog
MAED – Special Education
(Undergraduate degree without teaching certificate)
|
Course Number
|
Course Title
|
Credits
|
| EDL 620 |
School Law |
3
|
| EDU 510 |
Foundations of American Education |
3
|
|
EDU 530
|
Methods of Teaching Reading (ELEM)
|
3
|
|
EDU 541
|
Methods of Teaching Math (ELEM)
|
3
|
| EDU 600 |
Professional Educator Seminar |
0
|
|
EDU 641
|
Educational Research and Statistics
|
3
|
| EDU 645 |
Advanced Research Planning |
2
|
|
EDU 650
|
Advanced Educational Psychology
|
3
|
| EDU 698 |
Portfolio Review |
1
|
|
SPE 689
|
Foundations of Special Education
|
3
|
| SPE 689a |
Field Experience #1 (30 hours) |
0
|
|
SPE 690
|
Characteristics of Students with Disabilities
|
3
|
|
SPE 691
|
Adaptations and Accommodations for Students with Disabilities
|
3
|
| SPE 691a |
Field Experience #2 (30 hours) |
0
|
|
SPE 692
|
Diagnostic Assessment for Educational Decision-Making
|
3
|
|
SPE 693
|
Language Disorders and Instruction in Diverse Classrooms
|
3
|
|
SPE 694
|
Methods of Teaching Students with Disabilities
|
6
|
| SPE 694a |
Field Experience #3 (30 hours) |
0
|
|
SPE 697
|
Student Teaching: Students with Disabilities
|
6
|
|
|
Total Credits
|
48
|
MAED – Special Education
(Holds an Elementary certification)
|
Course Number
|
Course Title
|
Credits
|
| EDL 620 |
School Law |
3
|
| EDU 600 |
Professional Educator Seminar |
0
|
|
EDU 641
|
Educational Research and Statistics
|
3
|
| EDU 645 |
Action Research Planning |
3
|
| EDU 698 |
Portfolio Review |
1
|
|
SPE 689
|
Foundations of Special Education
|
3
|
| SPE 689a |
Field Experience #1 (30 hours) |
0
|
|
SPE 690
|
Characteristics of Students with Disabilities
|
3
|
|
SPE 691
|
Adaptations and Accommodations for Students with Disabilities
|
3
|
| SPE 691a |
Field Experience #2 (30 hours) |
0
|
|
SPE 692
|
Diagnostic Assessment for Educational Decision-Making
|
3
|
|
SPE 693
|
Language Disorders and Instruction in Diverse Classrooms
|
3
|
|
SPE 694
|
Methods of Teaching Students with Disabilities
|
6
|
| SPE 694a |
Field Experience #3 (30 hours) |
0
|
|
SPE 695
|
Practicum: Students with Disabilities
|
6
|
|
|
Total Credits
|
36
|
MAED – Special Education
(holds a Secondary/Spec K-12 certificate)
|
Course Number
|
Course Title
|
Credits
|
|
EDL 620
|
School Law
|
3
|
|
EDU 530
|
Methods of Teaching Reading (ELEM) |
3
|
|
EDU 541
|
Methods of Teaching Math (ELEM)
|
3
|
|
EDU 600
|
Professional Educator Seminar |
0
|
|
EDU 641
|
Educational Research and Statistics
|
3
|
|
EDU 645
|
Action Research and Planning |
2
|
|
EDU 698
|
Portfolio Review
|
1
|
|
SPE 689
|
Foundations of Special Education
|
3
|
|
SPE 689a
|
Field Experience #1 (30 hours) |
0
|
|
SPE 690
|
Characteristics of Students with Disabilities
|
3
|
|
SPE 691
|
Adaptations and Accommodations for Students with Disabilities
|
3
|
|
SPE 691a
|
Field Experience #2 (30 hours) |
0
|
|
SPE 692
|
Diagnostic Assessment for Educational Decision-Making
|
3
|
|
SPE 693
|
Language Disorders and Instruction in Diverse Classrooms
|
3
|
|
SPE 694
|
Methods of Teaching Students with Disabilities
|
6
|
|
SPE 694a
|
Field Experience #3 (30 hours) |
0
|
|
SPE 695
|
Practicum: Students with Disabilities
|
6
|
|
|
Total Credits
|
42
|
Class Format
This program is formatted for the working professional. Classes are offered one night a week.
Location
McKendree offers the Special Education program on the Lebanon campus.
Transfer Credit Restriction
No more than nine (9) semester credits will be accepted in transfer and can not be more than six (6) years old. Transfer credit must be submitted for approval prior to or during the first semester of enrollment.