Program Overview

Special Education - Behavior Intervention Specialist

Overview

The Behavior Intervention program is a five-course sequence that prepares practicing special education teachers to serve students with challenging behavioral needs, including to collaborate with families and other educational professionals in developing and implementing strategies for individual students.

The Behavior Intervention program is typically completed as part of a Master of Science degree program in the Department of Special Education, combining core courses and electives. The program can also be taken as a stand-alone non-degree program. This program does not lead to teacher licensure.

This certificate requires 15 credit hours (5 courses) for completion.

Point of Pride

The Department of Special Education is one of the largest special education teacher preparation programs in the country. It has strong partnerships with school districts across the state, providing a wide range of clinical placements and collaborative opportunities.

Graduate Advisor

Dr. Allison Kroesch

University Admission Requirements

• Have earned a four-year bachelor's degree or its equivalent from a college or university that is accredited by the appropriate regional accrediting association, or do so by the time of program matriculation.
• Submit unofficial transcripts from each college or university other than Illinois State at which graduate, undergraduate, or non-degree credit was earned.
• If admitted, official domestic transcripts can be emailed from the university to the Graduate School or mailed in a sealed envelope to: Illinois State University, Graduate School, 208 Hovey Hall, Campus Box 4040, Normal, IL.
• If admitted, official international transcripts can be emailed directly from the international institution to the Graduate School or mailed in a sealed envelope to: Illinois State University, International Admissions, Campus Box 6180, Normal, IL.

Additional Program Admission Requirements

• GPA/GRE: If you have less than a cumulative 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale, submit your official GRE scores (use institution code 1319).
• Resume and Cover Letter: Submit a current resume and a cover letter that outlines your professional goals.
• Teaching Experience: Submit evidence of one year of successful teaching experience.
• Letters of Recommendation: Submit two professional letters of reference.
• Credentials: Take a screenshot of your “my credentials” page from your Educator Licensure Information System (ELIS) account.

Application Deadlines

• Fall Term — Applications accepted at any time.
• Spring Term — Applications accepted at any time.
• Summer Term — Applications accepted at any time.

Costs & Funding

See Student Accounts for information on tuition and fees. Funding for graduate students is available from several different sources. Students who have been admitted from contiguous states including Iowa, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, and Wisconsin will receive in-state tuition.