Special Education (B.S.Ed.)

Entrance and Retention in the LBS I and Vision Impairments Program Emphases with Professional Educator Licensure

To advance to the first professional semester, candidates must have (a) achieved an NIU GPA of 2.50 or better, (b) received a grade of C or better in SESE 240 or an equivalent transfer course, and (c) completed the safety tutorial prior to the first clinical experience. Advising staff verify completion of the safety tutorial, prerequisite course grades, and overall NIU GPA. All candidates who meet requirements are admitted to the Learning Behavior Specialist I or Visual Impairments teacher education program.

To remain a major in special education, candidates must (a) maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.50 or better, (b) receive a grade of C or better in professional courses and a grade of Satisfactory (S) in clinical courses, and (c) pass all state-mandated licensure tests the semester before enrolling in student teaching courses. Contact program advisors for information on mandated tests and deadlines for passing these before student teaching. For both the LBS I and the Visual Impairments emphases, candidates must pass all required courses in professional semesters with grades of C or better or, as appropriate, with a grade of S, before advancing to the next professional semester. Candidates must pass the first student teaching course with a grade of S before advancing to the second student teaching course. School districts providing early clinical and student teaching placements may have additional requirements such as TB testing that candidates must complete prior to working with students.

Candidates are expected to meet all university and College of Education standards for retention as well as the standards set forth in the Council for Exceptional Children Code of Ethics and Standards for Professional Practice for Special Educators.

Transfer Students

Individuals who have earned the Associate of Arts in Teaching (A.A.T.) in Special Education may apply to transfer into the professional educator licensure program in either the Learning Behavior Specialist I (LBS I) or the Visual Impairments emphasis. Transfer students must (a) have a minimum transfer GPA of 2.50, and (b) have grades of C or better in A.A.T. professional special education courses. The LBS I emphasis requires that the A.A.T. program include courses in Language Development and Introduction to Foundations of Reading. Candidates transferring to NIU with an A.A.T. in Special Education, who intend to pursue the LBS I program, must contact the undergraduate academic adviser no later than one year prior to admission to NIU. Failure to do so may result in a delay of registration for the initial block sequence of courses leading to educator license with LBS I endorsement.

License and Endorsement Requirements

Candidates who major in special education in the Learning Behavior Specialist I emphasis or the Visual Impairments emphasis are required to meet the Illinois licensure requirements including 29-41 semester hours of general education classes which must include at least three semester hours of cultural diversity course work. Transfer students with an A.A. or A.S. degree also must meet these requirements for educator licensure. Some districts where candidates are placed for clinicals or student teaching may require a TB test. Candidates who successfully complete the program requirements and pass the state mandated Teacher Performance Assessment (edTPA) during student teaching will have completed all required ISBE and CAEP standards for receiving university recommendation for licensure and special education endorsement in Visual Impairments or Learning Behavior Specialist I. Successful completion of the program without receipt of a passing score on the state mandated edTPA may result in the candidate receiving a degree without university recommendation for licensure.

Endorsement for Non-Special Education Majors

Special Education course work meets all Illinois State Board of Education standards for endorsement in Special Education. This endorsement consists of 16-21 semester hours and is open to candidates currently seeking a Professional Educator License from a department other than SEED. Contact the academic adviser for details. 

Emphasis 1. Learning Behavior Specialist I with PEL

Emphasis 1 prepares candidates for Illinois educator licensure with endorsement as a learning behavior specialist I (Pre-K-age 21).

Candidates in the LBS I with PEL program emphasis must earn a grade of C or better in SESE 240, SESE 370, SESE 415, SESE 416, SESE 417, SESE 444, SESE 446, SESE 447, SESE 448, SESE 459, SESE 460, SESE 461, as well as, EPFE 201, EPFE 321 or EPFE 410, EPS 405, ETR 434, ETT 402, LTCY 300, LTIC 420, MATH 201, and POLS 100 or POLS 150, and in courses meeting the Nature and Technology requirement. In addition, candidates must earn a grade of S in SESE 419 and all early field experience and student teaching courses (SESE 260, SESE 418, SESE 449, SESE 463, SESE 464, SESE 491, and SESE 492). Candidates who do not meet these requirements must retake the course(s).

Emphasis 2. Visual Impairments with PEL

Emphasis 2 prepares candidates for Illinois educator licensure with endorsement in the area of Teacher of Students Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired. (Pre-K-age 21.)

Candidates in the Visual Impairments emphasis must earn a grade of C or better in SEVI 400, SEVI 410, SEVI 420, SEVI 421, SEVI 430, SEVI 440, SEVI 441, SEVI 450, SEVI 480, SEVI 484, SEVI 485, and SEVI 486. In addition, candidates must earn a grade of C or better in EPFE 201 EPFE 321 or EPFE 410, EPS 405, ETR 434, ETT 402, LTCY 300, LTIC 301 or LTIC 420, MATH 201, SESE 240, SESE 415, SESE 416, SESE 417, SESE 444, and SESE 447, and in courses meeting the Nature and Technology requirement. In addition, candidates must earn a grade of S in SESE 418 and SESE 449. Candidates who do not meet these requirements must retake the course(s).

Emphasis 3. Vision Rehabilitation Therapy

This program prepares candidates to teach independent living skills to individuals with visual impairments. Program requirements allow candidates to obtain national licensure from the Association for the Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired as a rehabilitation teacher. This program does not qualify candidates for professional educator licensure in the State of Illinois.

Candidates in the Vision Rehabilitation Therapy major must maintain an NIU GPA of 2.50 and earn a grade of C or better in SESE and SEVI courses, or a grade of S in courses with S/U grading. Candidates who do not meet these requirements must retake the course(s). Transfer students must meet all NIU requirements for admission to the university.

Emphasis 4: Special Populations

This emphasis prepares candidates to work with individuals with a range of disabilities in private organizations, community settings, agencies, and other settings outside of public schools. Candidates are prepared to work with individuals with disabilities across the lifespan. This program does not entitle candidates for professional educator licensure in the State of Illinois.

Candidates in the special populations major must maintain an NIU GPA of 2.50 or better and earn a C or better in all SESE courses, or a grade of S in courses with S/U grading. Candidates who do not meet these requirements must retake the course(s). Candidates must fulfill NIU requirements for general education, human diversity, and writing infused course work.  Transfer students must meet all NIU requirements for admission to the university.