Program Overview
Prepare to positively impact the lives of those with disabilities.
AU Online’s Special Education Endorsement (LBS 1) graduate program will provide you with a strong knowledge base to effectively work with students who exhibit a wide range of disabilities. You will complete a comprehensive curriculum, learn to evaluate current research, and conduct your own research in the classroom. You will benefit from varied experiences that allow you to apply the theory you learn to real-world situations in your school district.
Complete assignments, projects, and key assessments that use varied learning approaches and focus on research and application within the field. Research-based key assessments are required for each course in order to fulfill licensure requirements. The endorsement program is ISBE approved and aligned with Illinois Professional Teaching Standards, as well as the Council for Exceptional Children Professional Teaching Standards, Illinois SEL Standards, Illinois Culturally Responsive Teaching and Leading Standards, and INTASC Standards.
No internship is required. Finish in one calendar year, ready to make a difference in your school community.
Get StartedProgram Details
- Next Start Date:January 6, 2025
- Est. Program Length:1 Year
- Credit Hours:18
- Course Length:8 Weeks
- Cost Per Credit:$492
Course Offerings
To earn the SPED endorsement and qualify for LBS 1 certification, students must complete all six courses.
- SPED5515 Characteristics and Identification of Disabilities and the Law
- SPED5555 Prosocial Skills and Challenging Behaviors
- SPED5565 Strategies and Assistive Technology for Students with Low Incidence and Multiple Disabilities
- SPED5570 Trends: Collaboration, Differentiating Instruction in the Inclusive Classroom, and Transition
- SPED5615 Psychoeducational Assessment of Students with Disabilities
- SPED6520 Reading Disabilities Theory and Intervention
We offer six start dates per year for this program. All candidates seeking admission to the online SPED Endorsement program must have a valid Illinois PEL (early childhood, elementary, secondary, or preschool-12), have classroom teaching experience, and currently be under contract as a full-time classroom teacher.
In addition, applicants must provide:
- A completed Graduate Application for Admission.
- Official transcripts from all colleges attended: undergraduate degree indicating a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher or a graduate degree indicating a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, both based on a 4.0 scale.
- A current resume documenting teaching experience.
- An ISBE deficiency letter if some required coursework is already completed.
All AU Online students must have unrestricted access to a computer or mobile device with high-speed internet to participate in online courses. AU Online uses Moodle to host its online classes. All students will be charged an $80 Technology Fee per semester, regardless of the number of credits taken.
Transferable course credit is considered on a case-by-case basis. Please contact an enrollment counselor for more details.
Online Special Education Endorsement (LBS 1) Career Outcomes
Students who successfully complete the courses and receive their LBS 1 endorsement work as special education teachers, behavioral specialists, disability case managers, hospital and treatment center teachers, special education advocates, and more. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Illinois is one of the top five states with the highest level of employment of special education teachers.
Next Steps
Apply Today
Fill out the free application to get started in the online endorsement courses.
Apply Now
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