Frequently Asked Questions
Special Education - Graduate
College of Education

How long will it take me to finish the program?

The time varies depending on how many classes you take each term, if you are willing to go to summer school, and if you have general education deficiencies.  If you take two courses per term including summer school you can complete the program in two years.

Can I graduate before completing student teaching?

No, student teaching is a requirement of the program and you must complete the program before graduation.

Can I take the Inquiry in the Classroom course at the same time as student teaching?

Yes you may, but you are advised against it.  Student teaching is an extremely critical time in your preparation program.  It requires a good deal of work both during and after school hours.  Completing a major action research project at the same time that you student teach can be extremely difficult to do.  In addition, there is a seminar that goes along with internship and student teaching that will require you to attend class at Roosevelt one night per week.  If you are concurrently enrolled in Inquiry you would be required to attend class two school nights.  Do understand, however, that Inquiry is about reflecting on and inquiring into your own practice as a teacher.  As such it is important that you have access to children at the time that you take the course.   This can be as a teacher, a tutoring or part time position, as a substitute teacher, as a volunteer in the classroom, or as a classroom aide.   

Are classes offered at night?

The graduate program is primarily a night time program during the regular academic year.  During the summer courses are frequently offered in a one-week intensive daytime format. 

Does my work as an instructional aide count as for my field experience?

No.  Field work is specific to certain classes and involves particular assignments and the observation of specified populations of children.  Therefore, field work should be done during the semester that the class is offered. 

Can I observe in the school where I work?

Since you are required to have a variety of experiences in terms of age level, population and students, you must vary the location of your clinical hours.  For some courses you are able to complete up to half of the hours in a school where you work as long as you observe in a classroom other than your own and on your free time. 

Can I teach children without disabilities with a Type 10 certificate?

You cannot be the teacher of record for students without disabilities.  You will be hired to work with children who have disabilities and their teachers.  Depending upon the districts policies and the schools service delivery model, you may provide assistance to children without disabilities, but you are not certified to be the teacher of record.

Will I need to travel to both campuses in order to complete the program?

No.  The program in its entirety is offered at both campuses.  With careful advisement you should be able to complete the program at one campus or the other without needing to commute.  However, we do encourage you to take a class or two at the second campus just to have the experience of a class in Chicago if you are a suburban student or one in the suburbs if you are a Chicago student.

What does LBS1 stand for?

LBS1 is the acronym for Learning and Behavioral Specialist I.  It is the State of Illinois’s general special education designation and covers all areas of disability other than vision and hearing impairments and speech/language disorders.