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Special Education
Bradley’s Special Education (Learning Behavior Specialist I) program prepares you for the State of Illinois Professional Educator’s License in Special Education, qualifying you to teach students with diverse learning needs from birth to age 21. Plus, you’ll earn an English as a Second Language (ESL) endorsement, giving you the skills to support English Language Learners in any classroom setting.
As the first university in Illinois to embed the ESL endorsement into early childhood, elementary, middle school, and special education degrees, Bradley ensures you graduate with a competitive edge. With English Language Learners being one of the fastest-growing student populations in Illinois, this additional certification makes you an even more valuable asset to school districts.
The Department of Education is accredited by the Illinois State Board of Education.
Experiential Learning
You will participate in classroom field experiences your first year, then gain additional field experiences your sophomore and junior years. These prepare you for the senior year student teaching experience. Bradley faculty and your supervising teachers are valuable mentors throughout the process. By the time you graduate, your experiences include:
- Professional development and licensure in special education (LBS I).
- 100+ hours in classroom settings for the ESL endorsement.
- 600+ hours of real classroom experience.
- Hands-on training with Smart Boards, virtual reality, and 3D printing.
- The opportunity to collaborate on research with faculty who have taught on six continents, published over 30 books, and led at state and national levels.
Program Details
Professional Education Requirements – 42 hrs.
- ETE 100: Technology Applications (1 hr.)
- ETE 107: Mathematics for Teachers I (3 hrs.)
- ETE 108: Mathematics for Teachers II (3 hrs.)
- ETE 115: The History of Education in the United States (3 hrs.)
- ETE 116: Field Experience: Schools and Schooling in American Society (1 hr.)
- ETE 210: Human Development from Birth to Young Adulthood (3 hrs.)
- ETE 211: Human Development from Birth to Young Adulthood and Effective Teaching Field Experience (1 hr.)
- ETE 215: Strategies for Effective Teaching (3 hrs.)
- ETE 235: Methods of Teaching English Language Learners (3 hrs.)
- ETE 237: Practicum for Teaching English Learners I (1 hr.)
- ETE 240: Practicum for Teaching English Learners II (2 hrs.)
- ETE 280: Exploring Diversity: Learners, Families and Communities (3 hrs.)
- ETE 313: Methods of Literacy I: Reading, Writing and Language Arts Grades 1-2 (3 hrs.)
- ETE 315: Methods of Literacy II: Reading, Writing and Language Arts Grades 3-8 (3 hrs.)
- ETE 335: Methods of Teaching Social Studies 1-6 (3 hrs.)
- ETE 336: Methods of Teaching Science 1-6 (3 hrs.)
- ETE 339: Methods of Teaching Mathematics 1-6 (3 hrs.)
Special Education for LBS I – 46 hrs.
- ETE 230: Adapting Curriculum to Support Inclusive Environments (3 hrs.)
- ETE 234: Language Development (3 hrs.)
- ETE 291: Assistive Technology for Individuals with Special Needs (3 hrs.)
- ETE 305: Novice Teaching Experience for LBS I Setting (3 hrs.)
- ETE 310: Teacher Performance Assessment – (1 hr.)
- ETE 345: Guiding Learners: Creating Safe, Inclusive Learning Environments (3 hrs.)
- ETE 391: Characteristics and Methods for Learners with Developmental Disabilities (3 hrs.)
- ETE 393: Characteristics and Methods for Learners with Emotional and Learning Disabilities (3 hrs.)
- ETE 395: High School Special Education (3 hrs.)
- ETE 425: Life Planning for Learners with Exceptionalities (3 hrs.)
- ETE 426: Assessment for Learners with Exceptionalities (3 hrs.)
- ETE 445: Multidisciplinary Collaboration (3 hrs.)
- ETE 496: Student Teaching for LBS I (12 hrs.)
Early Childhood Special Education Approval
- ETE 324: Early Childhood Special Education Methods (3 hrs.)
- ETE 433: Early Childhood Assessment (3 hrs.)
Career Opportunities
Every special education graduate from Bradley has achieved a 100% pass rate on Illinois licensure tests, including the national edTPA portfolio evaluation. That means you’ll graduate fully prepared to step into the classroom or continue your education in graduate school. Whether you’re looking to launch your teaching career right away or explore advanced studies in curriculum and instruction or other fields, you’ll have the skills, credentials, and confidence to take the next step.
Minor
This minor includes opportunities to step into campus leadership positions to practice what you learn. The program gives you flexibility to explore topics in ethics, government, human relations, organizational management and race and power.
The minor is directed by leaders in the Institute for Principled Leadership in Public Service and the Lewis J. Burger Center for Student Leadership and Public Service.