The 132 credit-hour minimum is achievable by using specific courses that meet both general education requirements and the Special Education major curriculum requirements. We recommend students work with their academic advisor.
The Bachelor of Science in Special Education degree leads to the state of Illinois Professional Educator License in Special Education: Learning Behavior Specialist (LBS I) with the Middle Grades Literacy Endorsement. Special Education majors must complete all requirements of the College of Education to be eligible for licensure.
Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI) are general education courses Concordia-Chicago agrees to accept in lieu of comparable, lower-division general education requirements. For more information regarding IAI transfer credit, please see the Illinois Board of Higher Education’s iTransfer website at www.itransfer.org.
General Education Requirements
Communication (9 Hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| ENG-1100 | English Composition | 3 |
| COM-1100 | Speech Communication | 3 |
| ENG-2000 | Writing About Literature | 3 |
Humanities (9 Hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| HUM-1995 | Arts and Ideas (incoming freshmen, transfer students exempt) | 3 |
| HIS-1200 | History of the American People to 1877 | 3 |
| or HIS-1250 | History of the American People since 1877 | |
| Vocation and College Success (transfer students exempt) | ||
| Transfer students select one 3 credit additional course from the following list as needed to total nine hours of Humanities | 3 | |
| Introduction to the Visual Arts | ||
| Two-Dimensional Basic Studio | ||
| Three-Dimensional Basic Studio | ||
| Western Art: Pre-history–Renaissance | ||
| Non-Western Art 1 | ||
| Introduction to Film Studies | ||
| Global Documentary 1 | ||
| Media Literacy | ||
| African American Literature | ||
| Survey of Early Modern Europe, 1350-1815 | ||
| Survey of Modern Europe Since 1815 | ||
| Survey of World History to 1350 1 | ||
| Survey of the World Since 1350 1 | ||
| History of Illinois | ||
| Exploration of Music | ||
| Survey of Western Music | ||
| Music of World Cultures 1 | ||
| History of Jazz | ||
| Introduction to Theater | ||
| Survey of Church History | ||
| Encountering Religion in America | ||
Any Philosophy course | ||
Any Foreign Langauge course 1 | ||
| 1 | Meets Global Studies requirement. |
Social and Behavioral Sciences (9 Hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| EDUC-2020 | Human and Cognitive Development (May also be applied to Special Education major) | 3 |
| PSY-4125 | Child and Adolescent Psychology | 3 |
| SBS-1995 | People and Society (transfer students exempt) | 3 |
| Transfer students select additional courses from the following list as needed to total nine hours of Social and Behavioral Sciences: | ||
| Introduction to Cultural Anthropology 1 | ||
| Foundations of Economics | ||
| Foundations of Ethics of American Education | ||
| Geography of North America | ||
| World Geography: Culture Patterns 1 | ||
| The Developing World 1 | ||
| American Government and Politics | ||
| General Psychology | ||
| Introduction to Sociology | ||
| 1 | Meets Global Studies requirement. |
Global Studies (3 Hours)
At least one course with a Global Studies must be taken.
Natural Sciences (7-8 Hours)
At least one science course must include a lab.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Life Science | ||
| Any course in the Biological Science | 3-4 | |
| Physical Science | ||
| Any course in Chemistry, Earth Science, Physics, or NSCI | 3-4 | |
Mathematics (3 Hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MAT-1412 | Mathematics for Early Childhood Teachers: Geometry, Statistics, Functions | 3 |
Health/Fitness (1 Hour)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| PES-1010 | Fitness and Wellness | 1 |
Theology – Public Teacher Education (6 Hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Biblical Course | ||
| THY-1100 | The Bible | 3 |
| Theological Course | ||
| THY-1210 | Introduction to Christianity | 3 |
Theology – Lutheran Teacher Education (21 Hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Methods Course | ||
| EDUC-4900 | Lutheran Teacher: Vocation and Methods | 3 |
| Theology Minor (2.75 GPA Required) | ||
| THY-2220 | Lutheran Foundations 1 | 3 |
| THY-2010 | Introduction to the Old Testament 2 | 3 |
| THY-3105 | Introduction to the New Testament | 3 |
| THY-3320 | Survey of Church History | 3 |
| THY-3220 | Lutheran Theology 1 | 3 |
| THY-4220 | Lutheran Theology 2 | 3 |
| 1 | Fulfills Gen. Ed. Theology Doctrine Request. |
| 2 | Fulfills Gen. Ed. Theology Bible requirement. |