Special Education (B.A.)
With Professional Educator License
With meaningful support systems in place, students of varied abilities and special needs can thrive in the education learning environment. As a special education teacher, YOUR connection with students will serve as a foundation for their growth and achievement. At USF, you will find a welcoming community of learners eager to see you and your future students experience success!
Teacher candidates at USF grow in knowledge and skills through a thoughtful combination of research-based practices and meaningful classroom experiences. A robust curriculum in special education ensures you will have the opportunity to observe and assist in diverse settings, addressing topics such as life skills, behavior disorders, and transition services. Experienced faculty work closely with education professionals in the surrounding community to provide support and guidance as you practice and master skills in authentic school settings.
While pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Special Education, you can also earn a teaching endorsement in Elementary Education with no additional coursework required. Teachers prepared at USF are highly employable, thanks to the College of Education’s excellent reputation for growing exceptional educators.
Special Education
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I am grateful to the College of Education for helping to shape me into the person that I am today. The professors and staff cultivated a personal learning experience that has prepared me for any student that I may serve in my classroom. Specifically, within my special education preparation and field experiences, I was taught many evidence-based strategies that I use daily in my resource classroom. The support and dedication of COE professors, even after graduation, continues to inspire me to grow as an educator.
— Megan Gorga
WHAT CAN YOU DO WITH THIS DEGREE?
The Special Education program at USF will prepare you to teach students with special needs from kindergarten through age 21 with a range of disabilities from mild to severe. As an excellent educator with a true teacher’s heart, you will grow to understand students, serve the community, and find your professional self. You will also become a better communicator, develop creativity, introduce exciting new ideas, inspire minds, mentor others, and instill a sense of value and purpose in your students. You will leave USF fully prepared to initiate positive change and shape the future of our communities and our world.
GROW THROUGH REAL-WORLD EXPERIENCE
ACCREDITATIONS
The University of St. Francis is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), a regional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, and is authorized to operate as a post-secondary institution by the Illinois Board of Higher Education (ibhe.org). College of Education programs are further approved by the Illinois State Board of Education (isbe.net).
LEARN
‘20 @uofstfrancis /USFSaints /StFrancis @UofStFrancis
As a Special Education major, you will appreciate the opportunity to gain real-world teaching experience as you progress through academic requirements. Professional growth begins early in the program as you spend considerable time in special education classrooms. You will work with small groups and individual students, assess student work and provide support for the learning environment. A year-long internship in special education classrooms encourages the practical application of knowledge and the chance to implement and refine your teaching skills in a carefully supervised setting.
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