EIU Department of Special Education

About the Program

Eastern’s special education programs are designed to provide a dynamic core of information. This core functions as a base of specialization. Individuals completing one of the courses of study in this department provide professional expertise and leadership in the development and implementation of educational programs. Additionally, program graduates have the skills necessary to coordinate the services of school, home and community agencies for individuals with exceptionalities.

Our Program: Three Key Attributes

1. Ours is a standards-based program.
2. All faculty members have taught in special education and have a minimum five years' experience working with individuals with disabilities in hospitals, agencies or schools.
3. Program candidates complete a minimum of 300 clinical hours prior to student teaching; these hours are spent working with individuals in hospitals, agencies and school systems, and all experiences are supervised and evaluated by special education faculty.

Unique Opportunities

When it comes to internships, research, community service, and other opportunities, choosing our program provides you some possibilities you may not find elsewhere:

• Service Learning Hours
• Special Olympics Family Festival
• Volunteer Hours
• Area 9 Special Olympics in the Spring
• Minimum of 300 Hours Field Experience

Early Childhood Special Education Course Sequence

This course sequence qualifies teachers to teach children with disabilities from birth to age 5, and qualifies teachers with an LBS I certificate to teach children with special needs, ages 3 through 5.

Post-Graduation Career Opportunities

Our students leave the program prepared to provide services to individuals with disabilities across the spectrum of disabilities (excluding hearing, vision and speech/language).