Special Education, B.A. (Traditional)
The Bachelor of Arts in Special Education provides undergraduate students with a strong foundation in understanding diverse learners, evidence-based instructional practices, and the legal and ethical frameworks necessary to support individuals with disabilities across the lifespan. This program leads to licensure in K–22 LBS1 (Learning Behavior Specialist I), preparing candidates to teach students with mild to moderate disabilities in a variety of educational settings.
Students who pursue this program are passionate about creating inclusive learning environments and working closely with individuals with diverse learning, behavioral, and social-emotional needs from kindergarten through transition-age young adults. Topics in this major include characteristics of disabilities, individualized education program (IEP) development, behavior intervention and support, progress monitoring and data-based decision making, collaboration with families and interdisciplinary teams, culturally and linguistically responsive practices, assistive technology, and methods for teaching literacy, math, and functional and transition skills. Emphasis is placed on inclusive practices, Universal Design for Learning (UDL), and preparing educators to support students in the least restrictive environment across K–22 settings.
The Bachelor of Arts in Special Education is offered in flexible formats, including fully online and blended program options. For more information on state licensure and certification information please visit NLU’s Public Disclosures page.
Program Details
- Requires 180 QH including 60 QH of General Education for completion
- Requires completion of all courses in the program with a grade of "C" or better, with the exception of SPE 496 and SPE 499, which must be completed with a grade of "B" or better
- Requires completion of the following courses at NLU: SPE 491, SPE 496 and SPE 499
- Requires completion of field hours built into courses across the entire program, taken each term
- Demonstrate a 3.0 GPA or greater on a 4.0 scale for program completion
- Credit for Prior Learning may be accepted for EDU 210 and EDU 305
Program Learning Outcomes
PLO 1. The teacher understands how learners grow and develop, recognizing that patterns of learning and development vary individually within and across the cognitive, linguistic, social, emotional, and physical areas, and designs and implements developmentally appropriate and challenging learning experiences.
PLO 2. The teacher uses understanding of individual differences and diverse cultures and communities to ensure inclusive learning environments that enable each learner to meet high standards.
PLO 3. The teacher works with others to create environments that support individual and collaborative learning, and that encourage positive social interaction, active engagement in learning, and self-motivation.
PLO 4. The teacher understands the central concepts, tools of inquiry, and structures of the discipline(s) he or she teaches and creates learning experiences that make these aspects of the discipline accessible and meaningful for learners to assure mastery of the content.
PLO 5. The teacher understands how to connect concepts and use differing perspectives to engage learners in critical thinking, creativity, and collaborative problem solving related to authentic local and global issues.
PLO 6. The teacher understands and uses multiple methods of assessment to engage learners in their own growth, to monitor learner progress, and to guide the teacher’s and learner’s decision making.
PLO 7. The teacher plans instruction that supports every student in meeting rigorous learning goals by drawing upon knowledge of content areas, curriculum, cross-disciplinary skills, and pedagogy, as well as knowledge of learners and the community context.
PLO 8. The teacher understands and uses a variety of instructional strategies to encourage learners to develop deep understanding of content areas and their connections, and to build skills to apply knowledge in meaningful ways.
PLO 9. The teacher engages in ongoing professional learning and uses evidence to continually evaluate his/her practice, particularly the effects of his/her choices and actions on others (learners, families, other professionals, and the community), and adapts practice to meet the needs of each learner.
PLO 10. The teacher seeks appropriate leadership roles and opportunities to take responsibility for student learning, to collaborate with learners, families, colleagues, other school professionals, and community members to ensure learner growth, and to advance the profession.
Admission Requirements
Admission to the Bachelor of Arts in Special Education program is a two-step process. In the first step, students are admitted to National Louis University with a preliminary status in the Bachelor of Arts in Special Education program. In the second step, students must be admitted to the licensure program which updates the admission to full status in the Bachelor of Arts in Special Education. Students must be admitted to the licensure program before beginning their Special Education Student Teaching courses (SPE 496 and SPE 499).
Licensure Program Admission Requirements:
• Complete 90 quarter hours or more
• Achieve a GPA of 2.5 or better on all previous coursework, with a grade of "C" or better in all courses
• Creation of account in the Educator Licensure Information System (ELIS)
Required Courses
General Education Requirements
Communications
The following courses are recommended:
| ENG 101 | Beginning English Composition | 5 |
| ENG 201 | Intermediate English | 5 |
| ENG 203 | Effective Speaking for the Undergraduate | 5 |
Note: Students transferring credit from other institutions or applying coursework previously completed at NLU may use any three general education courses in the following disciplines: academic writing, oral communications, and any course in the area of communications.
Humanities and Fine Arts
Choose two courses from the list below:
| ART 105 | Race, Identity and Experience in American Art | 5 |
| ART 106 | Race, Identity and Experience in American Art I | 2 |
| ART 107 | Race, Identity and Experience in American Art II | 3 |
| HIS 103 | History Across the Globe | 5 |
| PHI 107 | Introduction to Ethics and Social Critique | 5 |
| EDU 220 | Children’s Literature for Educators | 5 |
Note: Students transferring credit from other institutions or applying coursework previously completed at NLU may use any two general education courses in the following disciplines:
- Humanities: foreign language, history, literature, philosophy, religious studies, interdisciplinary humanities and fine arts, interdisciplinary humanities and social sciences
- Fine Arts: visual arts (including art history, art appreciation, and studio arts, such as drawing, painting, digital art, or film), film and cinema studies, and performing arts (including music appreciation, music theory, and music performance, theatre appreciation and performance, and dance)
Mathematics and Natural Sciences
Choose three courses from the list below (one must be math and one must be a natural science):
| MTH 101 | Introduction to Mathematical Concepts | 5 |
| MTH 102 | Statistical Foundations | 5 |
| MTH 105 | Math for Educators I | 5 |
| MTH 115 | Math for Educators II | 5 |
| SCI 101 | Physical Science | 5 |
| SCI 102 | Survey of Biological Science with Lab | 5 |
| SCI 105 | Environmental Biology with Lab | 5 |
| SCI 225 | Human Impact on Environment | 5 |
Note: Students transferring credit from other institutions or applying coursework previously completed at NLU may use any three general education courses in the following disciplines:
- Mathematics: college-level and not developmental in nature
- Natural Sciences: physics, chemistry, earth science, astronomy, geology, physical geography, biology, human anatomy and physiology, microbiology, genetics, botany and zoology; and interdisciplinary fields such as environmental science, and ecology and conservation
- Mathematics or Natural Sciences
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Choose two courses from the list below:
| ECO 200 | Macroeconomics for Today’s Professional | 5 |
| HIS 102 | Civics and American Government | 5 |
| HIS 212 | Think Global: Movements in US History and its Impact on Society and School | 5 |
| PSY 101 | Introduction to Psychology | 5 |
| SOC 101 | Foundational Sociology | 5 |
| SOC 204 | Contemporary Chicago | 5 |
| SOC 222 | Culture and Identity | 5 |
| SOC 250 | Cultural and Ethnic Movements in the United States | 5 |
Note: Students transferring credit from other institutions or applying coursework previously completed at NLU may use any two general education courses in the area of Social and Behavioral Sciences in the following disciplines: anthropology, economics, geography, history, human geography, political science, psychology, sociology, interdisciplinary social/behavioral science, interdisciplinary humanities and social and behavioral science.
Program Specific General Education Requirements
| EDU 200 | Applied Educational Psychology | 5 |
Additional General Education Requirements
| GEN 103 | Student Success Seminar | 5 |
| or | |
| GEN 203 | NLU & You: Tools & Strategies for Student Success | 3 |
Note:
GEN 103 is required for the first-time freshman students only. Students transferring in less than 90 QH are required to complete
GEN 203.
Career Development Requirements
First-time Daytime Students
| CAR 214 | Creating and Communicating the Professional Brand | 5 |
| or | |
| BRV 200 | Braven Leadership and Career Accelerator | 5 |
Transfer Students
| BRV 200 | Braven Leadership and Career Accelerator | 5 |
| or | |
| CAR 214 | Creating and Communicating the Professional Brand | 5 |
| or | |
| CAR 202 | Creating Professional Identity | 0 TO 2 |
| and | |
| CAR 203 | You The Professional | 3 |
Note: CAR 202 must be taken for 2 QH.
Educator Preparation Core for Special Education Program- 20 QH
| EDU 210 | Educational Philosophy- A Historical Account | 5 |
| EDU 290 | Ethics in Education | 5 |
| EDU 305 | Equity in Education | 5 |
| EAL 400 | Educational Foundations for Learning English as an Additional Language | 5 |
Electives
Choose additional courses to total 180 QH. These hours may be satisfied by completing any approved concentration in consultation with your Academic Advisor.
Special Education Program Major- 70 QH
| SPE 445 | Foundations of Special Education: Dignity, Rights, and Advocacy | 5 |
| SPE 450 | Characteristics of Individuals with Disabilities | 5 |
| SPE 460 | Assessment Practices in Special Education | 5 |
| SPE 465 | Classroom Behavioral Supports | 5 |
| SPE 471 | Foundational Literacy in Special Education | 5 |
| SPE 472 | Adolescent Literacy in Special Education | 5 |
| SPE 475 | Methods in Mathematics in Special Education | 5 |
| SPE 481 | Instructional Methods for Low-Incidence Disabilities | 5 |
| SPE 482 | Strategies and Technology Supports for Low-Incidence Disabilities | 5 |
| SPE 485 | Roles and Responsibilities in Special Education | 5 |
| SPE 486 | Individualized Behavioral Supports | 5 |
| SPE 491 | Field Practicum 1 | 5 |
| SPE 496 | Senior Seminar | 5 |
| SPE 499 | Special Education Student Teaching | 5 |
Special Education Practicum/Student Teaching Enrollment Requirements
Admission to and continuance in student teaching are contingent on the following actions.
Candidates must:
- Be accepted into the undergraduate special education program
- File, by the designated deadline, the Office of Field Experience Application for student teaching
- Receive a minimum score of 220 on the Learning Behavior Specialist I (290) content test. The passing of the content test is not required for a degree completion but it's required for the teaching license.
- Pass all methods courses at National Louis University with a grade no lower than a C
- Provide evidence of emotional stability, adequate personality adjustment and competency as indicated by licensure coursework and departmental assessments