Accessing Curriculum in Educational Settings for all Students (Project ACCESS)  On-Campus Cohort

Masters Degree in Special Education with

LBSII Certification in Multiple Disabilities

 

The purpose of Project ACCESS is to develop highly skilled, innovative special education teachers who are able to (a) assist students with low incidence disabilities to access and progress in the general curriculum, (b) create inclusive educational environments, (c) work effectively with culturally diverse populations, (d) incorporate research-based practices into teaching practices and curricula, (e) ensure positive educational and transition outcomes for students with low incidence disabilities, and (f) build strong ties through collaboration with families, teachers, and other professionals.  This program is designed for students wishing to pursue part-time or full-time study at the University of Illinois to obtain a masters degree in special education and an advanced certificate (LBSII) in multiple disabilities.

Unique Features of the Program

• Specialized Coursework and Topical Seminars - Students will receive concentrated coursework that prepares them to educate students with multiple disabilities.  Topical seminars will address advanced skills.
• Fieldwork Experiences - Skills learned through coursework will be applied in a 300 hour supervised field experience that enhances leadership in educating students with multiple disabilities.
• Research Experiences - Students will participate in a year long course that focuses on research methods.  The culminating activity of this course (and the program) will be an applied research project focused on implementing interventions with students with multiple disabilities.
• Service Learning Experience - All students will have the option of completing a service learning experience as part of their applied research project or supervised practicum experience.
• Traineeships for Full-Time Students - Full-time graduate students will participate in a 10 hour per week paid traineeship experience each semester.  Three types of experiences will be available: a) research, b) service learning, and c) teaching apprenticeship.  In research traineeships, students will engage in research with a faculty mentor to learn more about evidence-based approaches to educating students with multiple disabilities.  Service learning traineeships will enable trainees to perform a service for the local schools that simultaneously enhances the trainee’s learning about educating students with multiple disabilities.  Teaching apprenticeships will involve serving as a teaching assistant in a course that the trainee has already taken in order to provide experience to the trainee in mentoring others in the subject area.

Eligibility

• Hold a Bachelor’s degree in special education or a related field
• Current LBS1 certification in special education
• Be a U.S. citizen or permanent U.S. resident
• Minimum grade point average of 3.0 out of 4.0
• Demonstrated interest in developing advanced skills in multiple disabilities
• Goals consistent with the program

Program Support for Full-Time Students

• Paid tuition
• A yearly stipend for full-time 9-month participation
• Participation in a cohort with other students pursuing an LBSII in multiple disabilities
• Supervised practicum experience

Program Support for Part-Time Students

• Tuition stipend ($6,000)
• Courses are offered after 4 P.M. in order to accommodate part-time study
• Participation in a cohort with other students pursuing an LBSII in multiple disabilities
• Supervised practicum experience

Masters Program Application Process

Interested applicants should submit an application to the masters program in Special Education at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign by going to the Department of Special Education website at http://education.illinois.edu/sped/AdmissionsMasters.html 

Applications are due November 1 for spring admission.  The deadline for summer and fall admission is April 1.

For More Information Please Contact:

Stacy K. Dymond, Ph.D., Associate Professor
Project Director, ACCESS
1310 South Sixth Street
288 Education Building, MC-708
Champaign, IL 61820
217-244-9763 (phone)
sdymond@illinois.edu

Women, minorities and individuals with disabilities are particularly encouraged to apply. The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer.