B.A. in Special Education

About the B.A. in Special Education

The B.A. in Special Education at National Louis University prepares students to become licensed Special Education teachers in Illinois public schools. Designed as a flexible, comprehensive program, it offers a strong foundation in understanding diverse learners, evidence-based instructional practices, and the legal and ethical frameworks necessary to support individuals with disabilities across the lifespan. This program leads to licensure with the Learning Behavior Specialist I (LBS1) endorsement, qualifying graduates to teach students with mild to moderate disabilities in K–22 settings.

Program Highlights

The B.A. in Special Education provides students with both critical content knowledge and hands-on field experience to prepare them for careers as Special Education teachers. Students explore core concepts in disability characteristics, individualized education program (IEP) development, behavior intervention and support, assistive technology, and methods for teaching literacy, math, and functional and transition skills. Emphasis is placed on inclusive practices, Universal Design for Learning (UDL), culturally and linguistically responsive teaching, and preparing educators to support students in the least restrictive environment.

The program offers:

• Licensure-Focused Preparation: Earn your Professional Educator License (PEL) with the Learning Behavior Specialist I (LBS1) endorsement, qualifying you to teach in K–22 settings across Illinois.
• Flexible Format Options: Choose from on-campus, synchronous online, or fully asynchronous online formats — available across all Illinois regions to fit your schedule and location.
• Embedded Field Experience: Complete field hours built into courses throughout the entire program, gaining real classroom experience from your very first term.
• Individualized Support: Receive personalized academic advising and support throughout your studies to help you stay on track and reach your goals.

Graduates are well-prepared to make an immediate impact as Special Education teachers in public schools, serving students from kindergarten through transition-age young adults. This program is ideal for students passionate about creating inclusive learning environments and working closely with individuals with diverse learning, behavioral, and social-emotional needs.

What You'll Learn

Throughout the B.A. in Special Education program, you'll develop the knowledge, skills, and professional dispositions essential for success as a Special Education teacher.

At the completion of the B.S. in Health Sciences program, students will be able to:

• Design and implement developmentally appropriate learning experiences by understanding how learners grow and develop across cognitive, linguistic, social, emotional, and physical domains.
• Create inclusive learning environments that honor individual differences and diverse cultures, enabling every learner to meet high standards.
• Build collaborative environments that encourage positive social interaction, active engagement, and self-motivation among learners.
• Apply deep content knowledge and use varied tools of inquiry to create meaningful and accessible learning experiences that ensure student mastery.
• Engage learners in critical thinking, creativity, and collaborative problem-solving by connecting concepts and applying multiple perspectives.
• Use multiple methods of assessment to monitor learner progress, guide instructional decision-making, and support student growth.
• Plan rigorous, individualized instruction by drawing on knowledge of content, curriculum, cross-disciplinary skills, pedagogy, and learner needs.
• Apply a variety of instructional strategies to help learners develop deep understanding and build skills to apply knowledge in meaningful ways.
• Engage in ongoing professional learning and use evidence to continually evaluate and adapt practice to meet the needs of each learner.
• Seek leadership opportunities and collaborate with learners, families, colleagues, and community members to support student learning and advance the profession.

Career Outlook

With a B.A. in Special Education, you will be prepared to enter the classroom as a licensed Special Education teacher in Illinois — one of the most in-demand roles in education today.

Industry Statistics:

• Chicago Public Schools reported over 360 vacant Special Education teacher positions as of July 2025.
• The Illinois State Board of Education confirmed that in School Year 2025, 1,215 Special Education teacher positions went unfilled statewide.

Career Paths:

• Special Education Teacher (K–12)
• Learning Behavior Specialist (LBS1)
• Transition Services Coordinator
• Instructional Coach – Special Education
• Early Intervention Specialist

Admission Requirements

Admission to the B.A. in Special Education is a two-step process.

Step 1: Students are admitted to National Louis University with a preliminary status in the B.A. in Special Education program.

Step 2: Students must be admitted to the licensure program — updating their status to full admission — before beginning Special Education Student Teaching courses (SPE 496 and SPE 499).

Licensure Program Admission Requirements:

• Complete 90 quarter hours or more
• Achieve a GPA of 2.5 or better on all previous coursework, with a grade of "C" or better in all courses
• Create an account in the Educator Licensure Information System (ELIS)

For more information on state licensure and certification, please visit NLU's Public Disclosures page.