In Loyola's special education program, you'll learn skills and strategies to support students with a variety of academic, social, and behavioral needs, from ages 3 to 21.

Without proper support and programming, special education students are often at risk of being overlooked or falling behind. As a Loyola-trained special education teacher, you'll be able to support every student, because our program certifies you as both a special education and elementary education teacher, with opportunities for English as a Second Language (ESL) licensure.

Program Benefits

• Get extensive classroom experience in diverse settings through Loyola’s partnerships with schools and communities.
• Graduate with eligibility for an English as a Second Language (ESL) endorsement.
• Graduate from a fully accredited college that prepares students for licensing and advanced board licensure.
• Continually collaborate with faculty and students at all levels within your chosen specialty through professional learning communities.
• Earn a teacher certificate through the International Baccalaureate Organization (bilingual/bicultural, elementary and secondary education graduates)

Curriculum

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
CIEP 104	Mathematics for Teachers I	3
CIEP 206	Children's Literature	3
CIEP 332	School Wide Applications	3
CIEP 359	Teaching Reading	3
ELPS 219	American Education	3
ELPS 302	Philosophy of Education	3
TLSC 110	The Profession and Our Program (TLLSC)	1
TLSC 120	Bringing Language, Learning & Development Theory into Practice	2
TLSC 130	Sequence One: 130 Community Immersion	1
TLSC 140	Teaching, Learning and Leading for Social Justice	1
TLSC 150	Constructive Learning Environments For Diverse Students	1
TLSC 160	Analyzing Culturally-Responsive Classroom Instruction	1
TLSC 210	Educational Policy For Diverse Students	2
TLSC 221	Individualized Instruction and Assessment for Diverse Learners	2
TLSC 222	Authentic Assessment and Instruction for Bilingual Learners	2
TLSC 260	Typical and A-Typical Development	2
TLSC 261	Significant Disabilities and Life Planning	2
TLSC 262	Assistive and Adaptive Technology	2
TLSC 263	Transition Planning	2
TLSC 300A	Professional Learning Communities	0
TLSC 300B	Professional Learning Communities	1
TLSC 310	Language and Literacy for Diverse Students	2
TLSC 320	Using Classroom Data in a Collaborative Environment to Advance Student Achievement	2
TLSC 330	Discipline-Specific Literacy for Diverse Students	2
TLSC 340	Teaching and Learning in an Area of Specialization	2
TLSC 350	Teaching and Learning with a Global Framework	4
TLSC 360	Developing Rigorous and Relevant Instruction & Assessment	3
TLSC 370	Design & Implement Rigorous & Relevant Instruction & Assessment: Teaching Perform Assessment Prep	3
TLSC 380	Teaching, Learning and Leading with Schools and Communities Internship: Student Teaching	12
Optional Courses
TLSC 231	Integrated Teaching/Learning Science & Writing in Elementary Grades
TLSC 232	Integrated Teaching/Learning Social Studies & Writing in Elementary Grades
Total Hours		70

All of Loyola’s Bachelor of Science in Education (BSEd) degrees use the Teaching, Learning, and Leading with Schools and Communities (TLLSC) curriculum as its foundation. It’s an approach that will help you stand out when you’re searching for your first job.

The TLLSC curriculum focuses on hands-on learning. Your studies will be built around four Cornerstones—partnering with schools and communities, classroom diversity, ongoing classroom experience, and participating in professional learning communities.

As you learn and grow, you’ll progress through the three Phases of the program. These phases will guide you through a comprehensive experience that will prepare you to make a difference with learners in diverse settings.

Suggested Sequence of Courses

The below sequence of courses is meant to be used as a suggested path for completing coursework.  An individual student’s completion of requirements depends on course offerings in a given term as well as the start term for a major or graduate study.  Students should consult their advisor for assistance with course selection.

Plan of Study Grid

Sequence 1		Hours
TLSC 300A	Professional Learning Communities (SPED)	0
TLSC 110	The Profession and Our Program (TLLSC)	1
TLSC 120	Bringing Language, Learning & Development Theory into Practice	2
TLSC 130	Sequence One: 130 Community Immersion	1
UCWR 110	Writing Responsibly	3
CORE	Scientific Literacy Tier I	3
CORE	Literary Knowledge & Experience Tier I	3
UNIV 101	First Year Seminar	1
Submit all required documentation and background check prior to program entry
	Hours	14
Sequence 2
TLSC 300B	Professional Learning Communities (SPED)	1
TLSC 140	Teaching, Learning and Leading for Social Justice	1
TLSC 150	Constructive Learning Environments For Diverse Students	1
TLSC 160	Analyzing Culturally-Responsive Classroom Instruction	1
CIEP 104	Mathematics for Teachers I (Quantitative)	3
CIEP 206	Children's Literature (Tier II Literary)	3
CORE	Artistic Knowledge	3
CORE	Historical Knowledge Tier I	3
	Hours	16
Sequence 3
TLSC 300A	Professional Learning Communities (SPED)	0
TLSC 210	Educational Policy For Diverse Students	2
TLSC 221	Individualized Instruction and Assessment for Diverse Learners	2
TLSC 222	Authentic Assessment and Instruction for Bilingual Learners	2
ELPS 219	American Education (Tier II Historical)	3
CORE	Theological & Religious Studies Tier I	3
CORE	Societal & Cultural Knowledge Tier I	3
	Hours	15
Sequence 4
TLSC 300B	Professional Learning Communities (SPED)	1
CIEP 359	Teaching Reading	3
TLSC 231	Integrated Teaching/Learning Science & Writing in Elementary Grades	3
TLSC 232	Integrated Teaching/Learning Social Studies & Writing in Elementary Grades	3
TLSC 260	Typical and A-Typical Development	2
TLSC 261	Significant Disabilities and Life Planning	2
TLSC 262	Assistive and Adaptive Technology	2
TLSC 263	Transition Planning	2
Candidates seeking an endorsement in Elementary Education should take the Elementary Content Area Test through the IL Licensure Testing Service
	Hours	18
Sequence 5
TLSC 300A	Professional Learning Communities (SPED)	0
TLSC 310	Language and Literacy for Diverse Students	2
TLSC 320	Using Classroom Data in a Collaborative Environment to Advance Student Achievement	2
TLSC 330	Discipline-Specific Literacy for Diverse Students	2
CORE	Philosophical Knowledge Tier I	3
PLSC 101	American Politics (Tier II Societal)	3
ELECTIVE	General Elective	4
Apply for One-Year Internship by October 1
	Hours	16
Sequence 6
TLSC 300B	Professional Learning Communities (SPED)	1
TLSC 340	Teaching and Learning in an Area of Specialization	2
TLSC 350	Teaching and Learning with a Global Framework	4
PHYS 101	Liberal Arts Physics (Tier II Scientific)	3
CORE	Theological and Religious Studies Tier II	3
CORE	Ethics	3
Take the Content Area Test for Learning Behavior Specialist I (#290). Register through the IL Licensure Testing Service
As an alternative to #290, you may take both #155 and #163 until these tests retire in 2023.
	Hours	16
Sequence 7
TLSC 300A	Professional Learning Communities (SPED)	0
TLSC 360	Developing Rigorous and Relevant Instruction & Assessment	3
TLSC 370	Design & Implement Rigorous & Relevant Instruction & Assessment: Teaching Perform Assessment Prep	3
ELPS 302	Philosophy of Education (Philosophical Tier II)	3
CIEP 332	School Wide Applications	3
Apply for May Graduation in LOCUS by October 1
Register for Educational Teacher Performance Assessment (edTPA) through Pearson Inc.
	Hours	12
Sequence 8
TLSC 300B	Professional Learning Communities (SPED)	1
TLSC 380	Teaching, Learning and Leading with Schools and Communities Internship: Student Teaching (Engaged Learning)	12
Must have passed any Content Area Tests prior to Sequence 8 Student Teaching
Must pass edTPA
	Hours	13
	Total Hours	120

Additional Undergraduate Graduation Requirements

All Undergraduate students are required to complete the University Core, at least one Engaged Learning course, and UNIV 101.  SCPS students are not required to take UNIV 101.  Nursing students in the Accelerated BSN program are not required to take core or UNIV 101.  You can find more information in the University Requirements area.

Learning Outcomes

You'll have accrued the equivalent of one year of full-time teaching experience through all the hands-on, experiential learning opportunities in Chicago's classrooms and community organizations, so you will be ready to be at the head of your own classroom. With the foundational knowledge from your Loyola education, you will utilize theories, data, and research practices when making decisions in your classroom and for your students and when assessing the effectiveness of teaching on learning.