Department of Special Education

The Department of Special Education at Illinois State University is one of the largest and most respected special education programs in the country. Offering both graduate and undergraduate programs, you'll graduate with all the skills you need to be successful.

Illinois State is one of only two schools in the nation with both a low vision and D/deaf and hard hearing program, and is one of only eight schools offering an undergraduate low vision program.

What to Expect

We value extensive and diverse hands-on experiences. Learning opportunities for undergraduates include:

• Student teaching
• 600+ hours of clinical experience over two semesters in diverse settings serving learners with a range of disabilities
• Research with faculty
• Registered student organizations

Graduate students can expect to develop their abilities to serve as leaders in their district and to conduct research.

Explore Special Education Programs 

Undergraduate

• Specialist in D/deaf and Hard of Hearing
• Specialist in Learning and Behavior
• Specialist in Low Vision and Blindness

Master's

• Special Education
• Education: Low Vision and Blindness

Certificates

• Learning Behavior Specialist (LBS) I
• Behavior Intervention Specialist
• Curriculum Adaptation Specialist
• Director of Special Education Post-Master's Certificate (optional for students working on doctorate)
• Multiple Disabilities Specialist
• Transition Specialist

Doctorate

• Special Education