Earn Your Illinois Professional Educator License with LBS1 Endorsement
The Master of Arts in Special Education at 蘑菇视频 prepares educators to engage all students in high-quality academic and social settings. Grounded in disability rights and inclusive education, the program leads to eligibility for an Illinois Professional Educator License with the endorsement, opening careers in special education across Kindergarten through age 22.聽
Three Reasons to Choose Lewis
蘑菇视频’s M.A. in Special Education stands apart from other masters in special education programs in Illinois through three defining strengths:
- Master’s Degree + Illinois Special Education Licensure - The program leads to eligibility for an Illinois Professional Educator License with the Learning Behavior Specialist 1 (LBS1) endorsement, creating a clear pathway into special education for aspiring teachers. The endorsement covers Kindergarten through age 22.
- Strong Inclusive Education and Disability Rights Positioning - Lewis frames the program around disability rights and inclusive education, which gives it a more mission-driven identity than programs that market primarily around licensure alone. The program emphasizes preparing graduates to modify teaching for different abilities, cultures, and environments.
- Field-Based Experience in Diverse School Settings - Students are placed in special education classrooms for hands-on learning in public and private schools. Multiple field experiences plus a clinical internship/seminar are built into the curriculum, giving the program a strong practice-based foundation for real classroom readiness.
Career Pathways with a Master’s in Special Education
Graduates of master’s in special education programs in Illinois qualify for a range of high-demanding roles. With growing teacher shortages in special education, the career outlook for LBS1-endorsed educators is strong across the Chicago metro area and statewide.
- Special Education Teacher - Works in public or private K-12 schools supporting students with learning disabilities, emotional/behavioral disorders, and more. One of the most in-demand roles in Illinois.
- Learning Behavior Specialist - Serve as an LBS1-endorsed educator providing direct instruction and behavioral support across a wide range of settings and age groups.
- Remedial Skills Instructor - Deliver targeted intervention in reading, writing, and math to students who need additional academic support in and outside of the general education classroom.
- Transition Specialist - Support students with disabilities as they move from school to post-secondary life, including employment, higher education, and independent living.
- Pediatric Hospital Educator - Provide instructional services to hospitalized children and adolescents in medical settings, ensuring continuity of education during treatment.
- Social and Human Services Assistant - Connect individuals with disabilities and their families to community resources, advocacy organizations, and support programs.
Why Lewis for your master’s in special education in Illinois?
蘑菇视频 is a state-approved educator preparation provider recognized by the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board and the Illinois State Board of Education. Prospective students searching for masters in special education Chicago programs or education masters programs in the Chicago area will find Lewis’s combination of licensure, field experience, and disability rights missions difficult to match.
The program’s grounding in inclusive education prepares graduates to advocate for students with disabilities, build partnerships with families and communities, and use assistive technology to meet every learner where they are. Teaching, in Lewis’s framing, is a profession that links individuals in a community.聽
Jobs Outlook
What can you do with a master’s in special education?
Illinois continues to face a significant shortage of licensed special education teachers, particularly in the Chicago area. A master's in special education with an LBS1 endorsement positions graduates to step into critical roles immediately upon licensure. With the endorsement covering K鈥揳ge 22, graduates are not limited to one school level 鈥� they can teach elementary, middle school, high school, and transition-age populations, creating broad employment flexibility across Illinois school districts, non-public schools, and residential programs.
Scholarships and Financial Support
蘑菇视频 offers several scholarship and grant options specially relevant to special education students. Eligible full-time students may receive up to $4,00 per year through the TEACH Grant, subject to enrollment status and program requirements.
Sample courses
- Development and Characteristics of Learners
- Transitions and Students with High Support Needs
- Partnerships for Inclusive Education
- Content Area Reading Strategies for Adolescent Learners
- Integrating Educational and Assistive Technology into the Classroom
- Early Reading and Writing Foundations
Admission requirements
- Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.75 (final 60 credit hours)
- Official college transcripts from all institutions previously attended
- Successful completion of Lewis University COESS Graduate Writing Sample
- Completed graduate application form
- Two letters of recommendation
- Personal interview with Department Chair or Program Director
Contact and next steps
Questions about the Illinois professional educator license pathway, the LBS1 endorsement, or the admissions process? Our graduate admissions team is here to help.
Phone: (815) 205-0943
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