Offered in: Chicago

Roosevelt’s Special Education, MA with LBS 1 Endorsement Program  is a K through age 22 program leading to a Learning Behavior Specialist 1 (LBS 1) endorsement for those who already hold an Illinois Professional Educator License  (PEL). The program is fully online and does not include any field experience/observation requirements. The program supports educators in developing research-based strategies to address the learning and socio-emotional needs of diverse learners with special needs. The LBS 1 Endorsement scope includes the categories of specific learning disabilities, intellectual disabilities, emotional disturbances, other health impairments, traumatic brain injury, Autism Spectrum Disorder, orthopedic impairments, and multiple disabilities. Sensory impairments and communication disorders are excluded from the LBS 1 endorsement scope.

Admission to the program requires a BA/BS degree with a grade point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale, and at least 120 credit hours of undergraduate courses from an accredited college or university.

Students working toward the Special Education. MA with LBS 1 Endorsement must complete 34 credit hours and maintain an overall GPA of at least 3.0 while enrolled in the education program. Should a student fall below a 3.0 GPA, the program's faculty will review the student's eligibility to continue moving forward in the  program. Students must pass all courses with grades of C- or higher. 

Before issuing a license, the Illinois State Board of Education requires passing the content exam(s) that meets the state's criterion. 

Your degree map is a general guide suggesting courses to complete each term on the academic pathway to your degree. It is based on the most current scheduling information from your academic program. Your program’s degree map is reviewed annually and updated as schedules change (although you retain the same course requirements as long as you are continuously enrolled in your degree program).

Always work closely with your academic advisor to understand curriculum requirements and scheduling, as each student’s academic plan can look slightly different.