Special Education, M.Ed. (Traditional Program)

The M.Ed. in Special Education is an inquiry-based program for those who already hold a Professional Educator License (PEL) and wish to earn a degree while adding endorsements in LBS1, LBS2 and/or approval in Early Childhood Special Education.  The program builds on skills and insights of practicing teachers through an integration of coursework and teacher research and includes the courses required for endorsement along with foundational, research, leadership and practicum courses leading to the M.Ed. degree.  This is a degree that acknowledges the professional expertise of practicing teachers and allows them the opportunity to co-create curriculum in their program. In each of the specializations students will propose research in their own classroom and/or school to meet some of the learning objectives for the course. 

This program is designed to appeal to those who wish to expand their credentials through earning both a master’s degree in special education and endorsements in LBS1, LBS2 and/or Early Childhood Special Education approval.

Visit Licensure and Endorsements at NLU for more details.

Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs):

PLO 1. Candidates will explore special education and disability studies through social, cultural, economic, and equitable contexts in order to engage in advocacy with and for people with disabilities.

PLO 2. Candidates will analyze and critique practices, policies, and systems that create barriers for people with disabilities and their families to intentionally act to improve access and equity through advocacy and collaboration with parents and schools.

PLO 3. Candidates will demonstrate professional competence in their specialization area.

PLO 4. Candidates will demonstrate leadership in creating a collaborative and inclusive learning culture that supports student learning.  

In addition to National College of Education Graduate Admissions Requirements, applicants must meet specific requirements for each concentration:

  • LBS1 Concentration
    • Hold a valid teaching PEL (Professional Educator License) in the State of Illinois
  • LBS2 Concentration
    • Hold LBS1 PEL (Professional Educator License) in the State of Illinois
  • Early Childhood Special Education Approval
    • Hold a Professional Educator License (PEL) age 0 – grade 3 OR an LBS1 

Program Details:

  • Requires 32 SH for completion
  • Requires completion of at least one of the following concentrations: Early Childhood Special Education Approval, LBS1, LBS2- Curriculum Adaptation Specialist, LBS2- Technology Specialist, and LBS2- Transition Specialist. Students are able to complete the maximum of two concentrations. 

Required Courses

MED Core - 9 SH

EDU 511Social and Cultural Politics of Education: Personal and Contextual Perspectives

3

SPE 529Teacher Research with Diverse Learners

3

SPE 577Research Seminar in Special Education

3

Early Childhood Special Ed Approval - 23 SH

SPE 510Early Childhood Special Education Language Development, Differences, and Challenges

3

SPE 532Early Childhood Special Education Curriculum, Instruction and Methods

3

SPE 533Early Childhood Special Education Diagnostic Assessment

3

SPE 534Early Childhood Special Education Collaboration, Family and Community

3

Additional Requirements

SPE 506Frameworks, Perspectives, and Collaboration in Special Education

3

LDR 511Emerging as a Teacher Leader

2

Note: Students who hold LBS1 endorsement may choose an elective course instead of SPE 506. Students must also choose 6 SH of additional program electives

LBS1 Concentration - 23 SH

SPE 501Educational and Diagnostic Assessment in Special Education

3

SPE 506Frameworks, Perspectives, and Collaboration in Special Education

3

SPE 507Methods of Social/Emotional Support

3

SPE 508Methods of Instruction: Literacy Across the Curriculum for Special Education

3

or

SPE 509Methods of Instruction in Foundational Literacy for Diverse Learners

3

and

SPE 527Curriculum Adaptations in the Least Restrictive Environment

3

SPE 500Introduction to and Methods of Teaching Students with Disabilities

3

Note: SPE 500 may be waived by an Academic Advisor with faculty approval if the candidate holds an IL PEL and provides transcripted evidence of successful completion (“C” or better) of an equivalent course.

Additional Requirements

LDR 511Emerging as a Teacher Leader

2

Note: Students must also choose 4SH of additional program electives

LBS2 Curriculum Adaptation Specialist - 23 SH

SPE 547Assistive Technology for the Universal Design Classroom

3

SPE 555Differentiated Instruction in the Least Restrictive Environment

3

SPE 556Planning and Designing Responsive Learning Environments

3

SPE 588ALBS II Contextual Applications

1 TO 3

Note: SPE 588A must be taken for 3 semester hours. 

Additional Requirements

LDR 511Emerging as a Teacher Leader

2

Note: Students must also choose 9 SH of additional program electives

LBS2 Technology Specialist - 23 SH

SPE 546Foundations of Assistive Technology

3

SPE 547Assistive Technology for the Universal Design Classroom

3

SPE 548Applications of Assistive Technology

3

SPE 590ALearning Behavior Specialist II Internship

1 TO 3

Additional Requirements

LDR 511Emerging as a Teacher Leader

2

Note: Students must also choose 9 SH of additional program electives

LBS2 Transition Specialist - 23 SH

SPE 535Community-Vocational Development & Instruction

3

SPE 536Transition Foundations, Preparation & Planning

3

SPE 537Family-Community Partnerships & Assessment

3

SPE 588BLBS II Contextual Applications

1 TO 3

Note: SPE 588B must be taken for 3 semester hours. 

Additional Requirements

LDR 511Emerging as a Teacher Leader

2

Note: Students must also choose 9 SH of additional program electives

Program Electives

ABA 500Concepts and Principles of Applied Behavior Analysis

3

LSE 500Introduction to the Learning Sciences and Technology

3

EDL 512Communication and Technological Skills for Education Leaders

3

EDL 520Leading Diverse Schools

2

EDL 525Decision-Making for Educational Systems and Organizations

2

LSE 530Designing Learning Experiences: Cognition in Socio-Cultural Contexts

3

LSE 540Social Emotional Learning in Cultural Contexts

3

SPE 502Language Development, Differences, and Challenges in Children and Adolescents

2 OR 3

SPE 510Early Childhood Special Education Language Development, Differences, and Challenges

3

SPE 523Methods and Content in Mathematics for Students with Disabilities

3

SPE 532Early Childhood Special Education Curriculum, Instruction and Methods

3

SPE 533Early Childhood Special Education Diagnostic Assessment

3

SPE 534Early Childhood Special Education Collaboration, Family and Community

3

SPE 535Community-Vocational Development & Instruction

3

SPE 536Transition Foundations, Preparation & Planning

3

SPE 537Family-Community Partnerships & Assessment

3

SPE 546Foundations of Assistive Technology

3

SPE 547Assistive Technology for the Universal Design Classroom

3

SPE 548Applications of Assistive Technology

3

SPE 555Differentiated Instruction in the Least Restrictive Environment

3

SPE 556Planning and Designing Responsive Learning Environments

3

SPE 573Methods for Low Incidence Differentiated & Inclusionary Curriculum & Instruction

3