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Special Education - Behavior Intervention Specialist

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Overview

The Behavior Intervention program is a five-course sequence that prepares practicing special education teachers to serve students with challenging behavioral needs, including to collaborate with families and other educational professionals in developing and implementing strategies for individual students.

The Behavior Intervention program is typically completed as part of a Master of Science degree program in the Department of Special Education, combining core courses and electives. The program can also be taken as a stand-alone non-degree program. This program does not lead to teacher licensure.

This certificate requires 15 credit hours (5 courses) for completion.

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Point of Pride

The Department of Special Education is one of the largest special education teacher preparation programs in the country. It has strong partnerships with school districts across the state, providing a wide range of clinical placements and collaborative opportunities.

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Dr. Allison Kroesch
(309) 438-5993
DeGarmo 522

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How to Apply

University Admission Requirements

A student applying to this program must:

  • Have earned a four-year bachelor's degree or its equivalent from a college or university that is accredited by the appropriate regional accrediting association, or do so by the time of program matriculation.
  • Submit unofficial transcripts from each college or university other than Illinois State at which graduate, undergraduate, or non-degree credit was earned. The unofficial transcript should be easily readable and clearly indicate degree(s) awarded, courses and course grades for each term.
  • If admitted, official domestic transcripts can be emailed from the university to GraduateAdmissions@IllinoisState.edu or mailed in a sealed envelope to: Illinois State University, Graduate School, 208 Hovey Hall, Campus Box 4040, Normal, IL 61790-4040.
  • If admitted, official international transcripts can be emailed directly from the international institution to InternationalAdmissions@IllinoisState.edu or mailed in a sealed envelope to: Illinois State University, International Admissions, Campus Box 6180, Normal, IL 61790-6180.

International students can learn more about specific application requirements by visiting the Graduate School Admission Requirements.

Additional Program Admission Requirements

To be considered for this program, you must meet the following requirements.

GPA/GRE

If you have less than a cumulative 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale, submit your official GRE scores (use institution code 1319).

The Grade Point Average (GPA) of all undergraduate credentials earned in the United States that are used for graduate degree admission evaluation is calculated by the last 60 hours of undergraduate work. International credentials are evaluated by using cumulative GPA (CGPA) in lieu of the GPA from the last 60 hours of undergraduate work.

Resume and Cover Letter

Submit a current resume and a cover letter that outlines your professional goals.

Teaching Experience

Submit evidence of one year of successful teaching experience. This can come from an administrator or HR representative.

Letters of Recommendation

Submit two professional letters of reference. You will also be asked to submit their contact information when applying on the on-line system.

Your letters should include the following:

  • How long the reference has known you
  • Information about your professional work experiences
  • Characteristics you possess that will make you successful in a graduate program.

Credentials

Take a screenshot of your “my credentials” page from your Educator Licensure Information System (ELIS) account. Make sure your name and endorsement(s) are visible. Submit the screenshot with your application.

Global Access to Online Degree Programs

When applying, international students applying to a fully online program must agree to our international online and hybrid programs disclosure and disclaimer statements. Due to limited on-campus courses, immigration documentation cannot be issued for students seeking F-1 or J-1 status.

Application Deadlines

  • Fall Term — Applications accepted at any time.
  • Spring Term — Applications accepted at any time.
  • Summer Term — Applications accepted at any time.

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Costs & Funding

See Student Accounts for information on tuition and fees. Funding for graduate students is available from several different sources. Students who have been admitted from contiguous states including Iowa, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, and Wisconsin will receive in-state tuition.

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