Special Education, MA

Requirements

Students working toward the MA in Special Education must complete 52 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 licensure program.

One semester prior to their student teaching, students must submit proof of passing the appropriate content exams(s) that meet the state's criterion.

Students must pass all courses with grades of C- or higher. Student Teaching must be passed with a grade of C or higher.

SPED 400CURRICULUM, INSTRUCTION, & ASSESSMENT3
SPED 401FOUNDATIONS & COMMUNITY3
SPED 402CHILD DEVELOPMENT, LEARNING, AND MOTIVATION3
SPED 403IND. COACH & FIELD EXP I1
SPED 419EXCEPTIONAL CHILDREN & YOUTH3
READ 420METHODS OF TEACHING READING IN K-8 EDUCATION3
SPED 441METHODS OF TEACHING MATH IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL3
SPED 428FIELD EXPERIENCE II1
SPED 440ASSESSMENT IN SPECIAL EDUCATION3
SPED 442CHARACTERISTICS AND METHODS OF TEACHING STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES: FOCUS ON COGNITION4
SPED 443CHARACTERISTICS AND METHODS OF TEACHING STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES: FOCUS ON BEHAVIOR4
SPED 445CHARACTERISTICS AND METHODS OF TEACHING STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES: FOCUS ON PHYSICAL HEALTH4
SPED 446CHARACTERISTICS AND METHODS OF TEACHING STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES: FOCUS ON LEARNING4
SPED 448IND COACH & FIELD EXP 31
SPED 450TECHNOLOGY FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION3
Student Teaching
SPED 466STUD TEACH:SPED6
Additional Course Required for the MA only
SPED 480INQUIRY IN THE CLASSROOM3
Total Credit Hours52

Field experience &student teaching

Pedagogical and real-world training is at the center of graduate degree coursework. Consequently, all graduates are required to enroll in one credit hour "Individualized Coaching and Field Experiences" courses in each of three semesters prior to their student teaching.

In their Individualized Coaching courses, students will complete the field experiences needed to develop professional knowledge, skills and dispositions in alignment with Roosevelt's social justice mission. As students progress from one Individualized Coaching course to another, they will take on tasks and responsibilities that are increasingly complex and challenging. These experiences will prepare students for success in the student teaching experiences that culminate the major and facilitate the awarding of an Illinois Professional Educator License. 

Placement in student teaching sites is planned with consideration of professional standards and partnership schools. Student teaching placements are open only to students who have successfully completed the appropriate general education and professional education courses, the required content test(s), and other student teaching requirements. Placements in sites with diverse student populations are required. Students must submit a formal application two semesters prior to the semester in which they plan to do their student teaching. Applicants are expected to be in good academic standing and must provide evidence of competency with regard to professional dispositions, including passage of a criminal background check. Students should consult regularly with their advisor about the specific requirements for licensure and student teaching in Illinois.

In addition to the requirements outlined in this academic catalog, students in Special Education program are obligated to become familiar with, and comply with, all requirements outlined in the Initial Licensure Field Experience & Student Teaching Handbook in order to receive a passing grade for field experience and student teaching courses proceeding to licensure. Students enrolled in field experience and student teaching courses will receive the handbook from the Director of Field Placement.

Licensure Requirements

Students who complete the Special Education program earn a State of Illinois Professional Education License with a Special Education endorsement (Learning Behavior Specialist 1 (LBS 1). With careful planning, students can add one or more of the following endorsements to their teaching license: Elementary Education, Bilingual/ESL, Early Childhood Special Education approval,  Middle School, and Reading Teacher.

In order to qualify for Roosevelt University’s recommendation for the Illinois teaching license in Special Education, students must meet all general education requirements that are in effect at the time of their application.

Students must consult with their education advisor to determine which general education courses are acceptable toward fulfillment of licensure requirements. Because requirements for licensure, graduation, and continuing enrollment are subject to change, graduates must consult frequently with their education advisors. The advising plan developed at program admission provides the most up-to-date and authoritative information with respect to all program and licensure requirements.

One semester prior to their student teaching, students must submit proof of passing the content exam(s) that meets the state's criterion and have a minimum 3.0 GPA in all graduate courses. All courses must be passed with grades of C- or higher and a grade of  C or higher in Student Teaching.

Before issuing a license, the Illinois State Board of Education may also require satisfactory scores on the Educator Teacher Performance Assessment Portfolio (edTPA).

Year 1
FallCredit HoursSpringCredit HoursSummerCredit Hours
EDUC 4023SPED 4281SPED 4193
SPED 4003READ 4203 
SPED 4013SPED 4434 
SPED 4031SPED 4454 
SPED 4424SPED 4413 
 14 15 3
Year 2
FallCredit HoursSpringCredit Hours 
SPED 4481SPED 4666 
SPED 4464EDUC 4803 
SPED 4503  
SPED 4403  
 11 9 
Total Credit Hours 52