Learning & Behavior Specialist II
Deaf and Hard of Hearing Auditory/Oral Specialist
Listen to a message about the program (transcript below).
Hi, I'm Dr. Barbara Fulk and I teach courses in the Specialist in Learning and Behavior sequence in the Department of Special Education at Illinois State University. Faculty members in our department take pride in teaching our students the most effective, research-based, instructional methods. Our teacher candidates are provided with multiple opportunities to apply what they have learned with children. In fact, the entire senior year is focused on acquiring extensive experience in classroom settings. Several of our faculty members have earned College and University teaching awards and during the last accreditation visit, the Council for Exceptional Children indicated that our teacher preparation program was exemplary. If you want an opportunity to study with faculty members who are excited about teacher preparation and gain extensive classroom experience while earning your degree, Illinois State University may be the right choice for you.
As the largest specialty program, the Learning and Behavior Specialist prepares students to teach in most public special education classrooms. Specialists in Learning and Behavior teach children with learning disabilities, emotional or behavior disorders, mental retardation, physical disabilities, health impairments and multiple disabilities.
Students begin taking special education courses during freshman year along with general education requirements. During sophomore and junior year, course intensity increases and students have the opportunity to apply course content in school settings culminating with a semester of student teaching during the senior year.
Courses included in the program focus on intellectual, social, physical, and psychological characteristics for children with mild to severe disabilities. Attention is given to:
These courses focus on the application of knowledge to the planning and implementation of services for learners with disabilities and often include concurrent clinical experiences with children in a variety of settings and environments.
View the recommended schedule of courses for freshmen that leads to certification in the Learning and Behavior program.
View the recommended schedule of courses for transfer students to Illinois State that leads to certification in the Learning and Behavior program.
Professional Development Partnerships provide hands-on learning experiences for teacher candidates. All three undergraduate programs in the Special Education Department work with partnership schools to provide high-quality field experiences and student teaching. Participation with one of the partner schools is dependent on the teacher candidate's individual program.
Serving McLean County Unit 5 and El Paso-Gridley District 11
Normal, Illinois
Bloomington, Illinois
Serving McLean, DeWitt, and Logan counties
Peoria, Illinois
Serving eleven local school districts from Cook County