Professional Course Work

(87 semester hours)

• CDS 2200 - Language Acquisition. Credits: 3
• EDF 2555G - Education in a Diverse Society: The Multilingual/Multicultural Classroom. Credits: 3
• EDU 2022 - Teaching and Learning with Technology in Classrooms. Credits: 2
• ELE 2050 - The Whole Child: Teaching and Learning in the Educational Environment. Credits: 3
• SPE 2000 - Disabilities in the Context of Education and the Life Span. Credits: 2
• SPE 3000 - Education of Individuals with Exceptional Learning Needs. Credits: 3
• SPE 3100 - Learning Differences of Individuals with Moderate to Severe Exceptional Learning Needs. Credits: 3
• SPE 3200 - Learning Differences of Individuals with Mild/Moderate Exceptional Learning Needs. Credits: 4
• SPE 3201 - Observation of Individuals with Severe to Mild/Moderate Exceptional Learning Needs Across Severity Levels. Credits: 3
• SPE 3220 - Behaviors of Young Children (Birth to 8) At Risk and with Exceptional Learning Needs. Credits: 3
• SPE 3600 - Behavioral Principles in Special Education. Credits: 3
• SPE 3700 - Individualized Independence Curriculum and Materials. Credits: 3
• SPE 4525 - Communication and Early Literacy Skills of Children (Birth to 8) At Risk and with Exceptional Learning Needs. Credits: 3
• SPE 4530 - Facilitating Language and Literacy in Individuals with Exceptional Learning Needs. Credits: 3
• SPE 4600 - Community Services and Communication with Families of Learners with Exceptional Learning Needs. Credits: 3
• SPE 4700 - Individualized General Curriculum and Materials. Credits: 3
• SPE 4720 - Instructional Materials and Activities for Young Children (Birth to 8) At Risk and with Exceptional Learning Needs. Credits: 3
• SPE 4800 - Diagnosis and Assessment of Learners with Exceptional Learning Needs. Credits: 4
• SPE 4820 - Assessment of Young Children (Birth to 8) With Exceptional Learning Needs. Credits: 3
• SPE 4900 - Instructional Strategies for Individuals with Exceptional Learning Needs. Credits: 6
• SPE 4901 - Practicum with Individuals with Exceptional Learning Needs. Credits: 4
• SPE 4920 - Instructional Strategies: Young Children (Birth through 8) at Risk and with Exceptional Learning Needs. Credits: 3
• STG 4000 - Multicultural/Disabilities Practicum. Credits: 1
• STG 4001 - Student Teaching. Credits: 12 to 16

• (register for 16 semester hours) (see footnote 1)

Other Requirements:

(21 semester hours)

• PLS 1153G or HIS 3600G or an equivalent US Constitution course 
• Senior Seminar

• ENG 3001 - Advanced Composition. Credits: 3
• HPR 1120(HST 1120) - Basic CPR. Credits: 1

• (See Footnote 2)

• HPR 3000(HST 3000) - Health Concepts for Teachers. Credits: 2

• (See Footnote 2)

• KSR 3000(KSS 3000) - Fitness Concepts for Teachers. Credits: 1

• (See Footnote 2)

• MAT 1420 - Mathematics for Elementary Teachers I. Credits: 3
• MAT 2420G - Mathematics for Elementary Teachers II. Credits: 3
• MAT 3420 - Teaching Mathematics in Grades PreK-6. Credits: 2

Footnotes:

¹ Minimum of eight (8) semester hours in a preschool special education classroom and eight (8) semester hours in an LBS I setting.

² HPR 1120 may be waived with current CPR card.  A minimum of three semester hours of HPR/KSR 3000 required.

Selection to Teacher Education programs should occur following the freshman year but no later than the end of the sophomore year (for transfer students this should occur no later than the end of their first semester. 

University Approval to Take Teacher Education Courses should occur at the end of the first semester junior year with Formal University Admission to Teacher Education occurring at the end of the junior year. See the Teacher Licensure Program section of this catalog for more information.

One lab science is required with a minimum of 7 semester hours in Science coursework

Successful completion of two courses in a single foreign language is a graduation requirement; 2 years in foreign language in high school with a “C” or better each semester may be substituted for requirement.

Departmental Approval to Student Teach must be granted prior to Student Teaching.

The State of Illinois requires that the Special Education LBS I Test, the Early Childhood Special Education Test, and the Special Education General Curriculum Test be passed prior to commencement of student teaching.

Students must pass the edTPA (teacher performance assessment) before they can receive their teaching license from Illinois or any other state. Students will make their edTPA submission during student teaching.

A three-semester hour diversity course and a third world/non-western course are required. One course may satisfy both requirements and may be a Humanities or Social Science course.