Certificate of Advanced Study (C.A.S.) in Special Education
with a concentration in
Learning Behavior Specialist I (LBS I)

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Based on the ISBE Special Education Certification Structure and Content Area Standards and a multifaceted conceptual framework, this newly revised program is designed to facilitate the preparation for changing and increasingly complex professional roles in schools. You are qualified to teach in a variety of educational settings: an inclusive classroom as a co-teacher; a mainstreamed classroom as a collaborative-consultant; a resource room or self-contained classroom as a diagnostic teacher; and an alternative setting, such as a special public or private school.

The Certificate of Advanced Study is an option for students who, having completed a master's degree in a specialized field, choose to engage in continued graduate study that will add a new dimension to their career in education. A minimum of 30

semester hours beyond the master's degree is required to complete the Advanced Study program. In some instances, depending upon the student's goals and objectives, additional course work may be required.

C.A.S. in Special Education

The C.A.S. program in Special Education is designed for individuals who have a master's degree and a teaching certificate in areas other than special education and want to engage in continued graduate study that will add a special education dimension to their general education expertise. Receiving a C.A.S. gives students 30 hours past the master's degree and could potentially provide opportunities for increased salary scales and options for leadership roles in teaching.

The link between theory and practice marks the essence of graduate study at National-Louis University. Each of the 3 semester hour courses for certification in special education has a clinical experience component of 15 clock hours. The clinical experience requirements are organized around the content of each course and represent a practical application of the material presented. These hours also fulfill the State of Illinois requirements for preclinical experiences.

In order to receive the C.A.S. degree, students are required to fulfill a student teaching practicum in the public schools. Graduate students, in consultation with their faculty adviser, will choose one of the following options based on experiences, strengths, and needs: (1) collaborative student teaching practicum for full-time employed experienced teachers; (2) halfday student teaching practicum for less experienced teachers; (3) full-day student teaching practicum for those who have never taught on a certificate; and (4) summer student teaching practicum for less experienced and inexperienced teachers, and for some teachers who work full-time during the year (The summer option is limited.).

Offering of Classes

The majority of classes in the Special Education program are offered at National-Louis University's Lisle, North Shore, and Wheeling Campuses, with some courses offered at the Chicago and Elgin Campuses. As a full-time student, you may complete the program requirements in as little as 18 months. The majority of graduate courses are offered in the evenings and a select few on Saturdays. Daytime courses are available through cluster groups.

C.A.S in Special Education

Core Course Requirements: Semester Hours

FND546 Perspectives on and Administration of Educational Policies 3

Program Requirements:

• SPE506 Frameworks and Perspectives* 3
• SPE500 Introduction to Exceptional Children and Adolescents* 3
• SPE545 Assistive Technology (Technology for Special Education) 2
• SPE502 Language Development and Challenges in Children & Adolescents OR 2
• SPE526 Best Practices in Word Finding 2
• SPE503 Collaborative and Consultative Teaming and Teaching* 3
• SPE508 Critical Literacy* 3
• SPE501 Educational & Diagnostic Assessment of Exceptional Children and Adolescents* 3
• SPE509 Clinical Literacy* 3
• SPE523 Diagnosis and Remediation in Mathematics Disabilities/Special Education* 3
• SPE507 Social/Emotional: Development, Teaching, and Support 3
• SPE527 Individualized Curriculum and Instruction* 3
• SPE592C Practicum/Teaching Children and Adolescents with Special Needs 3

PLUS: Any general education deficiencies.

Certification Requirements:

In order to be certified in special education, you must complete the general education requirements, the professional education course work and clinical experiences, and pass State of Illinois examinations in basic skills, APT (K-12) LBS I and Special Education General Curriculum (SEGC) test.

Supervisory Endorsement Special Education

Students who earn the Special Education Certificate are eligible for the supervisory endorsement on their Special Education Certificate by adding two courses and meeting other state requirements. The two courses are: EDL510 Administration and Organization Development of Schools SPE561 Administration and Supervision of Programs for Exceptional Children and Adolescents. The other state requirements are:

1. Special Education Certificate in three areas to be supervised

2. Master's degree

3. At least two years of teaching experience in each area to be supervised

4. A minimum of eight semester hours of graduate professional education coursework which includes at least one course primarily and explicitly related to the supervision of personnel (see SPE 561 above), and one course primarily and explicitly related to the administration and organization of schools (see EDL 510 above).

Administrator Approval Special Education

Individuals who earn the Type 75 Administrative Certificate are eligible for the Administrator Approval by meeting the following state requirements:

1. Proper Administrative Certificate (Type 75)

2. Master's degree

3. Required courses (30 semester hours distributed among these areas)

* Introduction to exceptional children and adolescents: SPE500

* Special methods course in three areas of exceptionality: SPE507, SPE509, SPE527, SPE523, SPE502, SPE542

* Educational psychological diagnosis and remedial techniques: SPE501

* Guidance and counseling: EPS520

* Administration and Supervision of Programs for Exceptional Children and Adolescents: SPE561

Individuals should already have taken an administration and organization of schools course (EDL510) for their Type 75 Certificate. It is recommended that students add SPE560 while earning the administrator approval.

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