Specialist in Learning and Behavior

Dr. Barbara Fulk, faculty member teaching courses in the Specialist in Learning and Behavior sequence

Listen to a message about the program (transcript below).

Hi, I'm Dr. Barbara Fulk and I teach courses in the Specialist in Learning and Behavior sequence in the Department of Special Education at Illinois State University. Faculty members in our department take pride in teaching our students the most effective, research-based, instructional methods. Our teacher candidates are provided with multiple opportunities to apply what they have learned with children. In fact, the entire senior year is focused on acquiring extensive experience in classroom settings. Several of our faculty members have earned College and University teaching awards and during the last accreditation visit, the Council for Exceptional Children indicated that our teacher preparation program was exemplary. If you want an opportunity to study with faculty members who are excited about teacher preparation and gain extensive classroom experience while earning your degree, Illinois State University may be the right choice for you.

As the largest specialty program, the Learning and Behavior Specialist prepares students to teach in most public special education classrooms. Specialists in Learning and Behavior teach children with learning, emotional, or cognitive disabilities, orthopedic impairments, Autism Spectrum, multiple distabilities, traumatic brain injuries, or other heath impairments.

Students begin taking special education courses during freshman year along with general education requirements. During sophomore and junior year, course intensity increases and students have the opportunity to apply course content in school settings culminating with a semester of student teaching during the senior year.

Courses included in the program focus on intellectual, social, physical, and psychological characteristics for children with mild to severe disabilities. Attention is given to:

• assessment and diagnostic techniques
• teaching methodology
• curriculum development
• behavior management

These courses focus on the application of knowledge to the planning and implementation of services for learners with disabilities and often include concurrent clinical experiences with children in a variety of settings and environments.

Plans of Study for the Specialist in Learning and Behavior

Beginning Freshman

Downoad the recommended schedule of courses for freshmen (pdf) that leads to certification in the Learning and Behavior program.

Transfer Student

Downoad the recommended schedule of courses for transfer students to Illinois State (pdf) that leads to certification in the Learning and Behavior program.

Professional Development Partnerships

Professional Development Partnerships provide hands-on learning experiences for teacher candidates. All three undergraduate programs in the Special Education Department work with partnership schools to provide high-quality field experiences and student teaching. Participation with one of the partner schools is dependent on the teacher candidate's individual program.

Bloomington District 87

Bloomington, Illinois

Mackinaw Valley Special Education Association

Serving McLean County Unit 5 and El Paso-Gridley District 11

Macon-Piatt Special Education District

A joint agreement of thirteen school districts located in the heart of central Illinois

Peoria District 150

Peoria, Illinois

Southwest Cook County Cooperative Association for Special Education

Serving eleven local school districts from Cook County

Tri-County Special Education

Serving McLean, DeWitt, and Logan counties

Unit 5 Normal

Normal, Illinois