MA/MS in Special Education and Teaching

Special education is a graduate field housed in the College of Education at UIC, and the master's rests on four pillars: foundations, disability and development, research, and assessment. Students who later want to continue can move into a doctorate in the same field. Some graduates use the program to qualify as a Learning Behavior Specialist and gain related endorsements, while others finish the degree without seeking licensure. Extra credentials can be layered on top, namely bilingual or English as a second language endorsements and approval in early childhood special education. Since requirements differ, students should talk with the college about what each credential needs. Concentrations developed jointly with the women's studies and violence studies units are also on offer. They let learners tie preparation in disability and teaching to broader questions about gender and violence.