Special Education Application Information

The following documents should be prepared for upload into the Applications Manager:

• A 300 - 400 word typed essay, double spaced with font size no smaller than 10 point and no larger than 12 point, explaining why you want to be a special education teacher.
• A list of additional experiences you have had with individuals with disabilities besides those listed on your hours verification form. Describe each experience in a maximum of two sentences each. Include beginning and end dates.
  
• An up-to date resume that includes name, title, address, phone number and e-mail address of three references, one of which must be a college professor or teaching assistant and one must be from a supervisor of your formal experience with students. The third can be from either another experience or the person of your choosing. (Letters of reference will not be accepted or included in the review process). The Career Center is available for resume building assistance.
• Hours Verification Form(s). As part of the admission process for the University of Illinois College of Education teacher education programs, verification of a minimum of 50 hours of experience with individuals with disabilities is required. At least 20 of these 50 hours must be completed post high school. The experiences may include time in community work, social services, and/or schools. This form should be filled out, printed, and sent to the supervisor(s) of these experiences for verification. You must then scan the form and upload it into the Application Manager. Please submit one form for each different experience.
• Please note that grades in courses of C- or lower may not be used for State of Illinois Certification, Endorsements, or Approvals.  If you have completed a grade replacement or have a grade replacement in progress, you must scan and upload it into the Application Manager.

After Admission

1. Students admitted into a teacher education program will be required to attend a mandatory meeting regarding the program and its requirements. Time, date, and location of the mandatory meeting will be provided in your admission letter.
2. All undergraduate students enrolled in the Special Education teacher preparation program will be assessed a one-time clinical experience fee to partially cover costs associated with early field and student teaching experiences. This non-refundable fee is based on the approved fee at the time you entered the University per the Illinois Compiled Statue 110 ILCS 305/25. Accepting the offer of admission is an agreement on your part to pay this fee.
3. The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign requires field placement in school districts as part of various educational curricula and certificate programs. Illinois school districts are required by state law to conduct criminal background checks for applicants for certified and non-certified positions with a school district. School districts are requiring that applicants for field placements be subjected to a criminal background check prior to placement in the school districts. Certain convictions are a bar to employment with a school district and are fully set out in the Illinois School Code, 105 ILCS 5/10-21.9, as amended. All convictions will be reviewed for compatibility with placement in a school district. As part of this application, you will be required to consent to a criminal background check including submission of your fingerprints. Failure to consent to the background check will result in your not being able to complete a public school certification program and in the cancellation of any admission to the program. For further information on this requirement, call the Council on Teacher Education at (217) 333-2804.