Area(s) of Emphasis:

• Specialization in Advanced Special Education Practices
• Specialization in Vision Rehabilitation Therapy
• Specialization in Learning Behavior Specialist I
• Specialization in Orientation and Mobility

• Specialization in Visual Impairments

The specializations in Advanced Special Education Practices is designed to serve the needs of individuals who are seeking to gain additional competencies and/or endorsements. See the individual program descriptions for information about requirements for these programs.The specializations in Learning Behavior Specialist I and Visual Impairments are designed to serve the needs of individuals with baccalaureate degrees who wish to obtain an initial Illinois Professional Educator License (PEL) with Pre-K through age 21 endorsement in Learning Behavior Specialist I or Teacher of Students Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired. In some cases additional semester hours will be necessary to meet the requirements for both licensure and the master?s degree.Candidates seeking licensure must successfully complete the Illinois Licensure Testing System Test of Academic Proficiency (or state-approved substitution) prior to admission to the Teacher Education Program in special education and the tests required by their licensure held prior to student teaching. See also ?Educator Licensure Information.?The Specializations in Vision Rehabilitation Therapy and Orientation and Mobility are designed to serve individuals who have previously earned baccalaureate degrees and wish to obtain national certification as a vision rehabilitation therapist or orientation and mobility specialist from the Academy for Certification of Vision, Rehabilitation, and Education Professionals (ACVREP).