Program Mission: The mission of the graduate program in Special Education is to prepare graduates for advanced professional practice with individuals with exceptional learning needs. Individuals may pursue additional Special Education endorsements which may include earning a supervisory endorsement, earning an LBS II for “Curriculum Adaptation Specialist” or “Behavior Intervention Specialist,” or preparing to be a “Director” of Special Education.

Admission Requirements: To be eligible for degree candidacy, applicants must meet all of the requirements for admission to the Graduate School (see “Admission to Graduate Degree and Certificate Programs”).  In addition, the student must provide the following documents:

• Official transcripts to the department and university documenting all prior course work and evidence of having earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution approved by Eastern Illinois University with a cumulative undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale or a 2.75 GPA for the last 60 hours of graded academic coursework as defined by the Graduate School.  If these standards  are not met, the student may complete nine semester hours of graduate level courses in the department with a grade point average of 3.3 or higher.
• Two letters of recommendation which must address the student’s potential to engage successfully in graduate study.  One letter should document experience with children or adults with exceptionalities such as teaching, student teaching volunteer work, private or public agency experience.
• A written statement of future professional goals minimally one paragraph in length.
• Dispositional check sheet representing candidate dispositions for advanced practice.

These documents will be considered as the advisor and student formulate a study plan that will include the student’s professional goals, extent of experience with individuals with exceptionalities, and the students’ professional writing competencies.

Degree Audit: The graduate plan of study is the EIU Degree Audit, which is generated automatically in the Degree Audit Reporting System (DARS) at the time of degree or certificate candidacy. Modifications of the standard EIU Degree Audit are submitted by the graduate coordinator to the certification officer in the Graduate School at the time modifications are approved. The Degree Audit serves as an unofficial summary of requirements for the program. Degree and certificate candidates are advised to review the comprehensive summary of the Degree Audit process specified on the “Requirements for All Degree and Certificate Candidates” section of the Graduate Catalog. Individual programs may require candidates to submit plans of study in addition to the Degree Audit, candidates should consult with the program coordinator.