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Special Education

College of Education

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What is Special Education?

This major will prepare you to teach students from ages 3 to 21 with any disability in a range of educational settings. This includes teaching people with learning disabilities, social or emotional disabilities, autism, intellectual disability, physical disabilities, and multiple disabilities. Our program emphasizes an inclusive approach to education. This approach encourages the education of students with disabilities alongside their peers without disabilities. In this major, you will gain real-world experience through extensive fieldwork. This fieldwork will give you the opportunity to work with people of diverse abilities and ages.

Career Options

  • Adult education
  • Child psychology
  • Counseling
  • Occupational therapy
  • Special education
  • Social work

Post-Graduation Success1

90% employed or continuing education

88% employed after graduation

2% attending graduate school

$43,213 average starting annual income

Sample employer destinations: Chicago Public Schools, Champaign Unit 4 School District, Algonquin Middle School View All

Sample grad school destinations: Midwestern University View All

Program Resources

College of Education Program Webpage Degree Requirements

Review Criteria

First-Year Major-Specific Criteria

  • Strong English coursework and performance
  • Interest and experiences related to the major

View All Review Criteria

Transfer Criteria

Transfer Guide

Graduation & Retention2

3.8 years to degree

98% first-year retention rate

Four-year graduation rate: N/A

Six-year graduation rate: N/A

Annual Program Costs3

Illinois Resident

  • Tuition: $12,712
  • Fees: $4,928
  • Expenses: $18,222
  • Total: $35,862

Non-Resident

  • Tuition: $31,832
  • Fees: $4,928
  • Expenses:$18,562
  • Total: $55,322

International

  • Tuition: $32,780
  • Fees: $4,928
  • Expenses: $18,562
  • Total: $56,270

Related Majors

1 Post-graduate data was collected through the Illini Success initiative, which primarily relies on self-reported survey data sources. Statistics are aggregated from the past three years. Please note that total compensation may be greater than annual salary as other forms of compensation (e.g., signing bonus, commission, benefits) are not included. For more information on Illini Success data and methods, please visit the Illini Success website. For average wage or salary information five years after entry into an occupation, visit the Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes Explorer.

2 Graduation and retention data comes from several majors within a similar interest area. Data may not yet be available for newly created programs. Years-to-degree data is only available for programs from which you can earn a degree. Retention and graduation rates are only available for programs that you can apply directly into. Retention rates reflect retention to the university, not necessarily retention within the major.

3 "Expenses" are estimated and include books, supplies, housing, and other living expenses. The exact amount you’ll pay depends on where you decide to live, the meal plan you choose, and your overall lifestyle. To learn more about costs, please visit the Office of Student Financial Aid website. To learn the average monthly student loan payment over a period of 20 years based on estimated cost, visit the Illinois College2Career website.

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