About the Department
The Department of Special Education at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is a nationally and internationally recognized leader in advancing research, preparation, and practice that improves outcomes for individuals with disabilities. Grounded in a commitment to equity, access, and inclusion, the department brings together innovative scholarship, high-impact teaching, and meaningful community engagement to address some of the most pressing challenges in education and human services today.
A Legacy of Leadership and Innovation
As part of a world-class public research university, the department has a long-standing tradition of shaping the field of special education through groundbreaking research and policy-relevant scholarship. Faculty members are widely respected for their contributions across a broad range of areas, including inclusive and equitable educational systems, academic and behavioral interventions, learning sciences, assistive and instructional technologies, transition and employment supports, early childhood and secondary education, and educator preparation.
What distinguishes the department is its emphasis on research that matters—work that is methodologically rigorous, responsive to real-world needs, and designed to make a tangible difference in the lives of individuals with disabilities, their families, and the professionals who support them.
Preparing the Next Generation of Leaders
The department offers a dynamic and intellectually rich environment for undergraduate and graduate students pursuing careers as educators, researchers, policymakers, advocates, and leaders. Programs are designed to integrate theory, research, and practice, providing students with extensive opportunities for applied learning, collaboration, and mentorship.
Students work closely with faculty on funded research projects, engage in field-based experiences across diverse educational and community settings, and develop the skills needed to think critically, act ethically, and lead with purpose. Graduates leave the program well prepared to influence practice and policy at local, national, and global levels.
Collaboration and Community Impact
Partnership is central to the department’s mission. Faculty and students collaborate with schools, families, community organizations, state and national agencies, and interdisciplinary colleagues across the university. These partnerships ensure that research and preparation efforts remain responsive, inclusive, and grounded in lived experiences.
Through service, outreach, and professional development, the department actively contributes to strengthening educational systems and expanding access to high-quality supports for individuals with disabilities across the lifespan.
A gift to the Department of Special Education will directly impact opportunities for research, teaching, and service activities that address our primary mission of improving the quality of life for individuals with disabilities and their families.
Phillip C. and the late Beverly Kramer Goldstick, acting on their desire to help children and their families in a tangible way, generously endowed a sustainable training and research program in the area of communication disorders in children and youth in the Department of Special Education.