Special Education Degree

The special education program at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville prepares students for careers in public schools, private schools, correctional facilities, private learning centers, and mental health facilities. The program focuses on teaching and other educational services to children with special learning needs or disabilities, and that may prepare individuals to function as special education teachers. Program courses include: diagnosing learning disabilities, developing individual education plans, teaching and supervising special education students, special education counseling, and applicable laws and policies. Get more details below including other Illinois colleges that offer special education degrees.

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Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

Lincoln Drive, Carbondale, IL

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, located in Edwardsville, Illinois, is commonly referred to as SUIE or The “e.” The school was established after the end of World War II in response to a lack of educational facilities in general for post war veterans, and in particular for residents of the Metro-East are. This prompted a study of the area that took a detailed look into the need for post secondary education and accessibility on the counties of Madison and St. Clair. Southern Illinois University was chosen to expand into the area do to its proximity, and with the purchase of several locations, began 0plans to open a branch campus. The need for higher education was underestimating, and initial enrollment numbers were double the expected, and grew rapidly over the first few years of the new campus' operation. The school's rapid growth resulted in the purchase and development of a permanent home and in 1971 resulted in the independence of the campus into a partner school in the Southern Illinois University System rather than a branch campus.

Academics

Students at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville will be able to choose a major from among the many offered. The choice will be based on the student's desire for a future career or to accomplish educational goals. Students will earn a bachelor's degree over the course of four years through a mixture of general education courses, upper and lower division classes related to one's major and elective courses that allow the student to explore other areas of study and interest. Minor degrees are also available, requiring interested students to select the area of study and take a set number of courses required by the minor program in order to complete it. Minor degrees allow for study in a secondary field and are taken alongside a major in order to augment one's education.

SIUE also offers a number of graduate level courses that result in a master's degree or equivalent. Students will apply to a specific graduate program and must have earned at least a bachelor's degree as well as scored well on the GRE or equivalent exam. Students will be considered based on their transcripts and application, and enrollment is limited by program.

Programs offered include:

• Accountancy
• Early Childhood Education
• Philosophy
• Business Administration
• Criminal Justice

Admissions and Financial Aid

Students interested in enrollment at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville must meet the criterion for admission, including having passed an approved and accredited high school curriculum, placement in the top 50% of one's graduating high school class, and obtain a score of 22.4 or higher on the ACT exam or 1040 on the SAT Exam. Students that meet these requirements will have their applications and transcripts reviewed and have a decision regarding admission rendered based on the strength of the submitted material. Students will be notified after the process is completed and those admitted will be supplied additional information to prepare them for enrollment to the school.

Financial aid is available in the form of loans, grants, scholarships and work study programs. Students in need of financial assistance must submit a completed Free Application for Federal Student aid (FAFSA), the information from which is used by the school to determine the needs of the student and what programs he or she is eligible for. Financial aid must be reapplied for prior to each academic year. Scholarships may also be pursued from external sources. Students may use school or online resources to identify such scholarship programs and apply for them independently from the school. Scholarships are awarded for a variety of reasons and have their own criterion for selection.

Students Enrolled in the Special Education Program

Get more details below regarding enrollment, academics, and school demographics. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville has offered the following academic levels for students:

• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree
• Post-Masters Certificate

Students by Academic Level (2019)

Students by Gender (2019)

Students by Race (2019)

Source: IPEDS Survey 2012-2020: Data obtained from the US Dept. of Education's Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Data may vary depending on school and academic year.

Career Options for Graduates

Special Education Teachers, Preschool

Description

Teach preschool school subjects to educationally and physically handicapped students. Includes teachers who specialize and work with audibly and visually handicapped students and those who teach basic academic and life processes skills to the mentally impaired.

Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School

Description

Teach elementary school subjects to educationally and physically handicapped students. Includes teachers who specialize and work with audibly and visually handicapped students and those who teach basic academic and life processes skills to the mentally impaired.

Special Education Teachers, Middle School

Description

Teach middle school subjects to educationally and physically handicapped students. Includes teachers who specialize and work with audibly and visually handicapped students and those who teach basic academic and life processes skills to the mentally impaired.

Special Education Teachers, Secondary School

Description

Teach secondary school subjects to educationally and physically handicapped students. Includes teachers who specialize and work with audibly and visually handicapped students and those who teach basic academic and life processes skills to the mentally impaired.

Source: Job descriptions, estimated salary and wages, and projected job growth are taken from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).