Offered in: Roosevelt Online

This 32-credit-hour master's program is designed to prepare licensed K through 12 teachers to enhance the learning of diverse learners and English language learners. Required courses are aligned with the State of Illinois endorsements in special education (Learning Behavior Specialist 1, LBS 1) and bilingual/ESL education. The LBS 1 and bilingual/ESL endorsements can be added to a State of Illinois teaching license upon successfully completing the program.

Completing the program qualifies graduates to teach children who have all areas of special education needs  except sensory impairments and communication disorders. Graduates also can teach children who speak English as a second language. Graduates also can teach in bilingual classroom settings once they have passed a language fluency exam.

Admission

Applicants for admission must possess an undergraduate degree and an undergraduate or graduate grade point average of at least 2.7 on a 4.0 scale. They also must hold a valid teaching certificate or license.

Requirements

To earn the MA in Second Language Special Education, students must complete 32 credit hours of course work with a minimum grade-point average of 3.0. No grades below C may apply toward the degree, and no more than two courses with grades of C or C+ are allowed.

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.