Departmental Website
http://www.eiu.edu/speced/
Overview
Special Education is a rewarding career. Eastern's Special Education program is a strong program with an excellent state and national reputation. Nationwide professionals prepared in Special Education are in high demand. The B.S.Ed in Special Education has two options - Early Childhood option (Birth-3) or Standard Special option (K-12) - and three dual certification programs: Early Childhood Special Education/Early Childhood Education, Special Education(K-12)/Elementary Education(K-9), and Special Education(K-12)/Secondary Education(6-12).
Option(s)
Early Childhood, Standard Special
Concentrations
Dual Certification Programs (These programs are 5+ year programs and can not be completed in 4 years)
Hours Required
128-130
Departmental Honors Program
Yes
Four Year Degree Plan
http://eiu.edu/speced/spe4yrpgms.pdf
Graduate Degree Opportunities After Graduation
LBS II Behavior Intervention Specialist, LBS II Curriculum Adaptation Specialist, School Psychologist, Social Worker, Director of Special Education, Supervision in Special Education
Course Catalog Listing
http://catalog.eiu.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=24&poid=3542 (Early Childhood Option)
http://catalog.eiu.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=24&poid=3543 (Standard Special Option)
Typical Starting Positions
Special Education teacher K-12, Agency Worker (Government), Counselor for Children w/ Disabilities, Case Manager, Children's Home Staff Member, Correctional Institution Teacher, Educational Diagnostician, Job Coach, Pre-vocational Coordinator, Special Needs Counselor. Early Childhood Special Education = Birth to 3 Child Educator, Home Trainer, Development Specialist, Technical Assistant.
Well Known Companies that Hire EIU Graduates
School districts, large and small, across the State of Illinois
Notable Graduates
Special educators across the State of Illinois who make a difference in children's lives.
Study Abroad Opportunities
http://www.eiu.edu/~edabroad/
Research Opportunities
Applied Behavior Analysis Practicum Projects
Student Professional Orginizations
Student Council for Exceptional Children (SCEC), Sigma Rho Epsilon Honorary Fraternity (by invitation only based upon SPE gpa and professionalism demonstrated) Best Buddies, Natural Ties.
Annual involvement (spring and fall) with Area 9 Special Olympics, Special Olympic Family Festival and Polar Plunge
Professional Development Opportunities
Attendance and presentations at local, state, regional and national professional conferences (e.g. Council for Exceptional Children, Council for Children with Behavior Disorders and state affiliates)
Scholarships
Illinois Special Education Teacher Tuition Waiver (SETTW) Program
http://www.collegezone.com/studentzone/941.htm
http://www.collegezone.com/studentzone/416_945.htm (for Juniors and above)
http://www.collegezone.com/studentzone/416_947.htm (for Juniors and above)
All department scholarships by invitation only when student is eligible.
Information on TEACH Grants ( http://www.eiu.edu/finaid/grants.php#teacher )
Scholarship Listing
Balsaar & Ruth Bubeck Scholarship
Brian & Trina Myerscough - Chad Pfeffinger Outstanding Sigma Pi Service Award
Business and Education Scholarship
Carol Specht Memorial Scholarship
David Coon Memorial Scholarship
Donald & Lucille Taylor Memorial Scholarship
Dr. Barbara L. Hill Memorial Scholarship
Dr. Louis Grado Scholarship in Education and Service
Dr. Robert Zabka Special Education Scholarship
Dwight & Bette (Leckrone) Baptist Scholarship
Education Scholars Award
Emma Reinhardt Scholarship (Kappa Delta PI)
Errett and Mazie Warner Presidential Award in Elementary Education
Errett and Mazie Warner Presidential Award in Special Education
Iva P. Miller Special Education Memorial Scholarship
Kate Booker Stapp Scholarship
Kevin & Pam Savoree Scholarship
Leona Stanford Vollintine Charitable Trust Scholarship Fund
Lincoln, Florence, & Bonita Woodyard Education Scholarship
Louise Murray Award for Childrens Literature
Phi Delta Kappa Chapter #120 Scholarship
Ray & Evelyn Duncan Teaching Scholarship
Robert G Buzzard Presidential Memorial Scholarship
Ronald A. Wilson Scholarship
Ronald E. Gholson Endowed Faculty & Student Service Award
View all results
To search for scholarship opportunities please visit http://www.eiu.edu/scholarships/
Faculty Listing
http://www.eiu.edu/speced/faculty.php
Faculty Research Interests
Performance assessments, impact on student learning, early childhood special education, curriculum adaptation and modification, modifications of student behaviors
Faculty Honors & Awards
Kathlene S. Shank,Professor and Chair - Harry C. Selznick Distinguished Special Education Service Award, Council of Administrators of Special Education Council of Exceptional Children and the Larry Vuillemot Leadership Award, Illinois Alliance of Administrators of Special Education.
Rebecca J. Cook, Professor - Distinguished Teacher Educator Award, Illinois Teacher Education Division, and Ronald Gholson Outstanding Service Award, Eastern Illinois University.
Christy M. Hooser, Professor - Ronald Gholson Outstanding Service Awrd, Eastern Illinois University