Concordia University Chicago's Master of Arts in Special Education Leadership is designed for licensed professional educators working in the field of special education who desire to become a special education leader.

The Master of Arts Degree in Special Education Leadership is designed for educators with an interest in the administrative work involved in leading special education programs. This degree is designed to provide qualified candidates with the skills and knowledge necessary to engage in the practice of leadership in the field of special education.

This program will enable candidates to:

The Master of Arts Degree in Special Education is designed for the licensed educator who desires to become an accomplished special education teacher as well as earn an Illinois* LBS1 endorsement. This program is designed to provide teachers interested in special education the knowledge and skills to work in a continuum of special education services (e.g., self-contained through inclusive). Graduates will be prepared to demonstrate competency and proficiency as a special education teacher regarding Individualized General Curriculum and Individualized Independence Curriculum (CEC, 2015). Emphasis on methods, assistive technology, and assessment for the following learners with disabilities' access needs includes: learning disabilities, social/emotional disabilities (internationally known as, and otherwise known as, emotional/behavioral disorders), intellectual disabilities (internationally known and formerly known as, mental retardation), physical disabilities, autism spectrum, multiple disabilities, other health impairment, and traumatic brain injury. This program provides an LBS1 endorsement that matches the grade level on the student’s existing Illinois* Professional Educator’s License (PEL).... [-]

Concordia University Chicago's master of arts in early childhood special education is designed for educators with an early childhood certificate/endorsement or the LBS1 (pre-kindergarten to age 21) endorsement. This program is for educators who desire to teach early childhood students with disabilities from birth to below kindergarten. It is also designed to provide qualified candidates with the necessary skills and knowledge to become an early childhood special education teacher.

The Master of Arts (M.A.) in Inclusive Education program leads to certification in regular education and cross-categorical special education.

There are two tracks in the program:

Initial Certification Track

A graduate-level program for candidates without a previous teaching license who want to become prepared to teach children with a wide variety of educational needs. This track leads to certification in both Regular Education and Cross-Categorical Special Education at the Middle Childhood-Early Adolescence Level.

A unique feature of this program is that the student teaching requirements for both certification areas can be accomplished in one semester, resulting in earlier program completion and program cost savings. This is the only post-baccalaureate program of its kind offered in the state of Wisconsin.... [-]

Whether you are looking for a dynamic career in education or are interested in investing in the lives of special-needs students, the Master of Arts in Teaching with a specialization in Special Education through Liberty University Online will prepare you for initial teaching licensure in special education. In addition to taking core courses, you will study behavior management, educational assessment, and intervention and develop strategies for successful inclusive classrooms. In addition, you will complete your student teaching requirement in the area in which you are seeking licensure. The program requires a three-credit-hour student teaching internship and may include on-campus intensives. Potential Career Fields: Special Education Teacher, Special Education Coordinator Non-Discrimination Policy... [-]

Individuals working in programs serving young children ages birth through kindergarten. The advanced study option prepares individuals to work as leaders in early childhood settings, including state and local level organizations providing professional development and support to early childhood teachers. The additional certification option allows individuals to add the Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education (IECE) teaching certification while also adding the Teacher Leader Endorsement. The IECE teaching certification allows individuals to teach in the public school preschool and kindergarten programs and to work as Developmental Interventionists with the First Steps early intervention program.... [-]

Master of Arts in Education, Communication Disorders Program

The program is designed to equip educators and other professionals with core knowledge and specialized skills for addressing the needs of students with exceptionalities. It will also empower educators for professional practice and responsible leadership. The program addresses a wide range of learning needs, including severe disabilities. It targets persons with a Bachelor’s degree and offers training in general special education that allows the selection of an elective from Specific Learning Disabilities, Severe Disabilities, School Counselling, and Social Work, Family and Human Development, Educational Evaluation and Interventions and Administration and Supervision.... [-]

The Master of Arts in Special Education: Low Incidence Disabilities program includes two concentrations: Devel­opmental Disabilities and Preschool Disabled. Students in this program focus on one concentration. Students with Developmental Disabilities are those individuals who have more severe disabilities, such as cognitive deficits, autism or other disabilities. Preschool Disabled are students with disabilities who are ages three to five years of age. The program provides students with an in-depth background in working with students who are either developmentally disabled or preschool disabled. Coursework actively involves students in critical thinking activities, where they examine and analyze theories and practices in teaching students in this domain. Students may apply to receive New Jersey certification as a Teacher of Students with Disabilities after the completion of the required 21 credits.... [-]

The Master of Arts in Special Education: High Incidence Disabilities program includes two concentrations: Learning Disabilities and Emotionally Disturbed. Students in this program focus on one concentration. The Learning Disabilities concentration provides students with an in-depth background in working with students who are learning disabled. Students learn about the physiological causes of learning disabilities, enabling them to gain a more holistic perspective of their students. Students plan, implement and assess instruction for learning disabled individuals in their clinical experience that takes place on campus in the Child Study Institute. The experience is incorporated into a required course, where students are trained in the learning strategies model, instruct a learning disabled student and engage in parent/teacher conferences. ... [-]

The MA in Education - SEND is relevant to a wide variety of settings and across the age range from early years through to post-compulsory education in college, university and other contexts. There is a strong focus on social justice and inclusion and the opportunity to reflect on your own professional practice throughout the courses.

MA in Education SEND is designed for people with an interest in autism and critical disability studies and for practitioners across the age range into post-compulsory education. Based on the principles of 'nothing about us without us' content is informed by the experiences of people who identify personally with autism and /or SEND.

You'll develop a particular strand of interest into the dissertation and have opportunities to disseminate your findings to the workplace and throughout the course. The Centre for Educational Research has a number of ongoing disability focused research projects and hosts the Disability Equality Research Network (DERN). This provides a vibrant supportive environment for your research and ensures that course content is always research-informed.... [-]

A distinctive feature of the MA (Autism) Education is the focus on learning from the authentic voices of people with personal experience of autism and the expectation that students will engage critically with received wisdom about autism.

The MA engages with education across the age range from early years to adulthood and is relevant to a wide diversity of settings. Students on the programme include experienced professionals, people who identify with autism and parents /allies of people on the spectrum.

The close association between the Centre for Educational Research and the MA provides opportunities to work with like-minded research-active peers within a lively and supportive learning community. LSBU is currently partnering with Research Autism and the University of Cambridge on a study which explores the value of mentoring from the perspective of young adults on the autism spectrum.... [-]

This online course offers a comprehensive focus on contemporary debates within special and inclusive education including local, national and international policies and approaches.

We consider the specific needs of children with learning difficulties and disabilities, communication impairments, literacy difficulties/dyslexia, autism and SEBD/ADHD to illustrate the challenges encountered in professional practice.

A critical exploration of current theory and research inform consideration of pedagogical approaches as well as the development of effective systems and structures for working with parents/carers and different agencies.

This course is suitable if you are interested in developing your knowledge and understanding of children and young people with special educational needs, working as a teacher or associated professional in mainstream education or specialized settings wishing to extend your skills and practice, an experienced professional, or new to working with children with additional needs. It provides high-quality professional development and flexibility for you to explore areas and specialisms that interest you.... [-]

This course offers a comprehensive focus on contemporary debates within special and inclusive education including local, national and international policies and approaches.

We consider the specific needs of children with learning difficulties and disabilities, communication impairments, literacy difficulties/dyslexia, autism and SEBD/ADHD to illustrate the challenges encountered in professional practice.

A critical exploration of current theory and research inform consideration of pedagogical approaches as well as the development of effective systems and structures for working with parents/carers and different agencies.

This course is suitable if you are interested in developing your knowledge and understanding of children and young people with special educational needs, working as a teacher or associated professional in mainstream education or specialised settings wishing to extend your skills and practice, an experienced professional, or new to working with children with additional needs. It provides high-quality professional development and flexibility for you to explore areas and specialisms that interest you.... [-]

The MA in ‘Special (Inclusive) Education’ provides students with the knowledge and skills to support the inclusion of special needs children and adults in education. The program offers insight into education policy and practice, encouraging students to consider the challenges and solutions to ensuring greater inclusion. Students gain an understanding of a range of impairments, along with the skills to meet special educational needs in mainstream institutions of learning. Courses also include research methods, the use of technology in the inclusive classroom, and wider social issues related to disability.

Schools, Research, Activist Organizations, Educational Consultancy.... [-]