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The SIUC Special Education Program is designed to prepare fully qualified special educators to meet the challenges of educating students with disabilities. As a Special Education major, you have your choice of two certification options.

Programs of Study

Learning Behavior Specialist I. The Learning Behavior Specialist I prepares individuals to teach children and youth with disabilities, ages 3 to 21 years. The disability categories encompassed in the Learning Behavior Specialist I are learning disabilities, emotional disturbance, mental retardation, autism, traumatic brain injury and  physical disabilities.

Dual Certification: Learning Behavior Specialist I and Elementary Education. The dual certification program is an opportunity to obtain two professional education certifications, Learning Behavior Specialist I and Elementary Education. The dual certification combination will enable an individual to seek certifications necessary to teach special education, ages 3 to 21 years or elementary school grades K-6.

Note: Both of the certification programs have an additional option of adding an Early Childhood Special Education approval. This provides additional preparation for teaching infants and toddlers with disabilities in early intervention program The four courses for Early Childhood Special Education approval are: SPED 412 (Introduction to Assessment and Curriculum methods in Early Childhood Special Education), SPED 405 (Introduction to Early Childhood Special Education Methods), CI 413 (Language Development of the Young Child) and CI 419 (Child, Family and Community Involvement).

Application to Special Education Program

Entering as a freshman

1.  Complete an application for admission to the university designating Special Education as your major. Southern Illinois University Admissions.

2. Complete the College of Education and Human Service Teacher Education Program admission  requirements. Undergraduate Catalog.

• A minimum of 30 semester hours of completed work.

• An overall grade point average of at least 2.75 (4.0 scale).

• Completion of English 101 and 102 with a grade of C or better.

• Three letters of recommendations from college or university faculty.

•  Pass the Illinois Test of Basic Skills.  Online registration.

• Submit documentation that the applicant has had at least 100 hours of direct contact and experience with individuals with disabilities. Satisfactory documentation of the experience will include a letter on company, agency or organization letterhead stating the number of hours of direct contact the applicant has been engaged in with persons with disabilities. The letter should state the name, address and phone number of an individual who can verify the experience of the applicant. Undergraduate Catalog.

3. Review and apply for financial aid by March 1. Collegezone. Special Education Program information.

Entering as a community college transfer student

1. Apply for admission to SIUC.

2. Earn an overall GPA of at least 2.75 on a 4.00 scale.

3. Apply for admission to the Teacher Education Program at least one year prior to transfer. Teacher Education Program Application (Deadlines are as follows: Fall = September 20, Spring = February 20).

4. Pass the Illinois Basic Skills Test. Online registration.

5. Review and apply for financial aid by March 1. Collegezone. Special Education Program information.

College of Education and Human Services Office of Students Services

The Office of Student Services is the center of support to assist students with a variety of activities and is located in the Wham Education Building room 135.

Teacher Education Program. This office will provide students with application packets to apply for admission to the Teacher Education Program. Completed applications for the Teacher Education Program are also submitted to this office. Deadlines for submission of completed Teacher Education Program applications: Fall admission - September 20; Spring admission - February 20.

Chief Academic Advisor. Mrs. Jackie Bailey is responsible for academic advisement and registration of undergraduate students in the College of Education and Human Services. In addition, she is responsible for the implementation of the Teacher Education Program admission and retention policies.

Advisement. Bob Simpson is the academic advisor for undergraduate special education majors. As your academic advisor, Bob will assist you in developing your long-term plan of study and registering for coursework. Bob's office is located in room 122 of the Wham Education building, his email address is bobbo@siu.edu and his phone number is (618)453-2354.

Clinical/Field experiences. Ms. Debbi Joseph is the coordinator for clinical services. Her primary responsibility is to coordinate the field-based experiences for teacher education programs. Ms. Josephs office is located in room 135 of the Wham Education Building.

Unique Features of the Special Education Teacher Preparation Program

1. Faculty. Special Education course work is taught by full-time faculty members. Our faculty are experienced Special Educators and continue to work with local school districts and teachers to deliver quality instruction to children and youth with disabilities. Our program is accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education and the Illinois State Board of Education Illinois State Board of Education Homepage.

2. Multiple field based experiences. The Special Education Teacher Education program provides students multiple opportunities to interact and teach students with a variety of disabilities across age and grade levels. Field based experiences are included in the Teacher Education program core coursework and as part of methodology coursework and instructional methodology coursework.

Our students have opportunities to work in one or more of our three professional development schools: Carbondale Elementary School District #95, Murphysboro School District #186 and Unity Point School District #140.

3. Undergraduate Assistant Program. The Undergraduate Assistant Program provides opportunities for undergraduates to work with a special education faculty member on a research project. This opportunity affords successful applicants the opportunity to develop understanding of the development experience enhanced professional development.

4. College committees. Undergraduate and graduate students have opportunities to actively participate in the governance of the College of Education and Human Services. Faculty nominate qualified students for positions on the College of Education and Human Services Academic Affairs Committee and Advisory Committee. The Academic Affairs Committee is charged with the responsibility of reviewing programs of study and coursework proposed by individual academic departments. the Advisory Committee serves as an advisor to the Dean of the College on a variety of issues. Each committee is prominent in the functioning of the College.

5. Student Leaders. Student Leaders are selected to represent the college and individual departments. Student leaders assist with recruitment of new students, college welcoming activities, and serve as representatives of the college at various functions throughout the year.

Student leaders are selected through a process of recommendation, application and interview, specific requirements and application information can be found on the student organization information page.

Student Activities

A number of financial aid opportunities exist to support the preparation of undergraduate and graduate students. Check out our Financial Aid page and also take a look at Collegezone .com.