Opportunities & Outcomes
The program emphasizes dignity, equity, and service. Through hands-on field experiences and guided student teaching, future educators gain the confidence and professional preparation needed to advocate for students and partner with families, schools, and communities.
Career Pathways
A Special Education degree prepares students for teaching, advocacy, and leadership roles that support learners with disabilities, as well as for graduate study.
Special Education Teaching
- Special education teacher*
- Inclusion or resource room teacher*
- Co-teacher or intervention specialist*
- Behavioral or learning support teacher*
Student Services & School Support
- Individualized Education Program (IEP) coordinator*
- Academic or behavioral intervention specialist
- Student support or case management roles
- Instructional aide or paraprofessional
Community, Family & Advocacy Roles
- Disability services or advocacy specialist
- Family support or transition coordinator
- Nonprofit or community program staff
- Vocational or life-skills program coordinator
Related Services & Support Fields
- Applied behavior analysis (ABA) assistant*
- Assistive technology or accessibility support roles
- Educational or therapeutic program assistant
- Youth or developmental services staff
Leadership & Advancement
- Special education department leadership roles*
- Instructional coach or curriculum specialist*
- Education administration pathways (with graduate study)*
Graduate & Professional Pathways
- Graduate study in special education or inclusive education
- Educational leadership or administration programs
- Counseling, social work, or related support fields*
*Licensure, certification, or graduate study requirements apply.
Programs of Study Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Special Education
- Special Education Basic Endorsement
- Bachelor of Science in Special Education/Elementary Education, Dual Licensure
- Teacher Licensure (Special and Secondary K-12)
- Special Education Minor
What can I do with a Special Education Major?
Upon completion of this program, candidates will receive licensure as Learning-Behavior Specialists (LBS-I) and will be able to teach students with various disabilities, ranging from mild to moderate and severe, in kindergarten through twelfth grade. Because mild disabilities are most prevalent in our schools, the largest percentage of special education teachers serve students with mild disabilities and very often team with general education teachers in general education co-teaching settings. Other settings may be resource rooms or self-contained environments where more specialized instruction is utilized. The special educator is most directly responsible for providing specially designed instruction to meet unique learning needs.
What makes Special Education unique?
Special education is a unique field providing a variety of experiences with a diverse range of learners. Few professions afford the practitioner the opportunity to make greater impacts on individuals’ lives. For example, it is easily possible for individuals with learning disabilities (LD) to become highly educated and productive adults. Given appropriate and specialized education, even individuals with severe learning difficulties may go on to lead very productive and fulfilling lives. Small class sizes within the major are conducive to quality interaction among class members and with ones professors. The prospective special educator will learn to apply academic knowledge through a variety of coursework, clinical, practicum, and ultimately student teaching experiences. Besides pre-student teaching clinical and practicum experiences, several courses take place within area schools. Furthermore, the student will gain significant hands-on experiences within QU’s on-campus Reading Center.
What to expect in the program?
Becoming a teacher involves multiple competencies. If you are dedicated and diligent, the program will prepare you to gain full licensure with your culminating student teaching experience. The program includes foundational and specialized coursework to attain competencies in diagnosis, evaluation, and instruction for students ranging from mild to moderate and severe. Because a good number of courses are taken with other licensure strands, the special educator will also gain the knowledge and skills to teach students without disabilities.
What are the career opportunities for Special Educators?
The demand for special educators is high both in Illinois and nationwide. QU’s placement for special educators is virtually 100% by the time a candidate graduates. The demand for special educators is expected to be high for several years to come. In fact, several studies have found it to be an area where you are the most likely to find employment that aligns with your college preparation. Special educators typically enjoy a good deal of variety in their work. Graduates are prepared to meet the needs of students with a range of disabilities. Graduates are licensed to work in a variety of settings within general and special education. Because of future employment demands, a prospective special educator should enjoy collaboratively working with a variety of adults as well as school-aged students. If a prospective educator feels that he/she would enjoy these roles, special education would be a good choice for an academic major.
Not sure you want an actual Special Ed. Major?
Options are also available as an endorsement (3 basic courses in addition to what you would take for another initial teaching degree (e.g., elementary or secondary education) or a minor that would include this basic endorsement when combined with other non-special education teaching licensure majors.
Want more information?
Contact Dr. David Landsom – Assoc. Prof. & Coordinator of Special Education ([email protected]) or Dr. Christina Priebe Director of Student Teaching [email protected]
Alumni program perspectives:
• My Advisor kept me on track for timely degree completion and helped me navigate some tough decisions. My advisor wants all of his students to be successful. I was also able to add a specialized minor in American Sign Language by selecting courses carefully and sequentially.
• Coursework and field experiences helped me, and most candidates, pass the required state licensure exam on the first attempt. A variety of tests in our core courses enabled us to develop test-taking skills..
• Special Education was the right major for me since I prefer working with students in smaller group settings and students with more specialized skill needs. With special education, you play a vital role in the lives of your students. From my experiences at QU, I feel that I can contribute positively to better the lives of my future students.
• Ongoing field and practicum experiences throughout the program helped me develop competencies to prepare me for student teaching and my first job as a teacher. The variety of experiences exposed me to numerous options available for educators and their students.
• Core foundational courses, methods courses, and field experiences have prepared me to reach a variety of students with special needs and diverse skill levels. This taught me how to teach, not just what to teach.
~Madison Ledbetter 2024 & Malorie Matlick 2024
