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. Upon graduation with a bachelor of science in special education degree from Loyola, you will possess the following knowledge, skills, and professional values necessary to teach special education students from ages 3 to 21, including elementary students in grades 1-6. 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.