This specialization prepares students to obtain the Learning Behavior Specialist I teacher certification. Students seeking certification must successfully complete the Illinois State Certification Testing System Test of Basic Skills prior to admission to the Teacher Education Program in special education. Students must provide a photocopy of the test results to the Graduate Secretary, Department of Teaching and Learning, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL 60115. Prior to any clinical experiences you must also complete a criminal background check through the Illinois State Police. Upon completion of the program you will be qualified to receive the LBS-I teaching certificate, enabling you to teach students with learning disabilities, behavior disorders, developmental disabilities, physical disabilities, traumatic brain injury, and autism. Prior to student teaching you must take the Content test for LBS-I. Prior to certification, students will need to pass the Special Education General Curriculum test and the Assessment of Professional Teaching Test (APT).
Learning Behavior Specialist I Requirements
Recommended classes for the first two semesters in the program, these can be taken prior to admission to the Graduate School include:
| Semester One | |
| TLSE 540 | Foundations of Special Education (3) |
| ETR 519 or ETR 520 | Course in educational research (3) |
| Semester Two | (these are prerequisite courses required to take methods courses) |
| ETR 434 | Assessing Student with Special Needs (3) |
| TLSE 454 | Classroom Management for Special Educators (3) |