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Build Focused Skills, Support Diverse Students

Are you an Illinois resident seeking to support students with exceptionalities? Build your skillset with the Micro-credential in Learning Behavior Specialist I program at American College of Education (ACE). Courses take you on a deep dive into understanding students with exceptionalities and their needs while also exploring effective teaching strategies and diagnostic intervention practices. In just four courses, you’ll be ready for an LBS1 teacher role.

Once you graduate with the micro-credential, you’ll be eligible to apply the Alumni Continuing Education Grant toward your master’s degree.

Note: The courses for the Micro-credential in Learning Behavior Specialist I are approved by the Illinois State Board of Education and meet the coursework requirements for an endorsement in Learning Behavior Specialist I for Illinois residents.

Related Programs

Program Details

The Learning Behavior Specialist I Micro-credential provides students with content to support learning needs of exceptional students. Content addresses developmental patterns, curriculum and instruction and intervention methods aligned to best practices in the field. Courses in Learning Behavior Specialist I Micro-credential are approved by the Illinois State Board of Education as meeting the coursework requirements for an endorsement in Learning Behavior Specialist I for Illinois residents.

Courses

Here are the courses you’ll take when working towards this program. If no focus of study option is selected, you can choose any 3 courses from the study options below.
Visit the College Catalog to see all courses.

This program consists of

12 credits

Core Courses

BE5033 - 3 SEMESTER CREDITS

Methods and Materials for Teaching English as a Second Language

This course provides teachers methods for providing language and content instruction to second language learners. Students consider historical and current English as a second language (ESL) program models and second language acquisition theories, pedagogy, and methodology. Relevant federal, state, and local learning and assessment standards are reviewed and applied to their teaching. Students are guided in creating and presenting teaching units and lessons based on various methods, approaches, and techniques. Students discuss the selection, use, and evaluation of books, multimedia, technology, and other materials. Students examine the application of relevant learning and assessment standards to their teaching of second language learners.

ED5403 - 3 SEMESTER CREDITS

The Exceptional Child

Exploring developmental and learning needs of children with exceptional learning abilities, the content will address the needs of the gifted, students with exceptional needs, and children with learning disabilities. Strategies will be established to support a variety of learning needs while working with families to foster a consistent learning environment.

SPED5013 - 3 SEMESTER CREDITS

Strategies for Teaching Varied Learners

Student traits impact learning, the environment, and classroom behavior. This course examines the legal definitions, characteristics, prevalence, and educational adaptations for each primary category of exceptionality. Emphasis is placed on the accommodation and selective modification of curricula, materials, and procedures to meet the needs of learners.

SPED5053 - 3 SEMESTER CREDITS

Developmental Characteristics of Exceptional Learners

Students investigate developmental issues experienced by individuals across transitional stages throughout the life span. Characteristics of individuals demonstrating patterns of thought or behavior potentially contributing to the identification of learning disabilities are examined. Neurological impairments, which change the functionality of the brain, are surveyed for factors creating unique risks across cognitive and sensory, social and emotional, and behavioral areas and conditions which impact academic learning.

SPED5063 - 3 SEMESTER CREDITS

Diagnostic Intervention

This course examines formal and informal methods of diagnosing academic and socio-behavioral issues related to those potentially identified with special needs. Designed to model appropriate planning and program delivery, students explore methods and materials utilized in the diagnostic-prescriptive process to monitor progress, measure benchmarks and gather data for application, i.e., Individual Education Programs. This includes evaluating procedures used in schools to determine eligibility for special education services guided by testing measures. Attention is given to selecting and adapting tests for a variety of disorders and aligning appropriate instructional methods to measure student success.

College Catalog

Start Dates

With flexible start dates, you can begin your program when it's best for you.

July 13, 2026 Term

Jul 10, 2026

Application Due

Jul 10, 2026

Payment Due

Jul 13, 2026

Term Start

Jul 17, 2026

Unregister/Cancel Deadline

Aug 16, 2026

Term End

August 24, 2026 Term

Aug 21, 2026

Application Due

Aug 21, 2026

Payment Due

Aug 24, 2026

Term Start

Aug 28, 2026

Unregister/Cancel Deadline

Sep 27, 2026

Term End

October 05, 2026 Term

Oct 02, 2026

Application Due

Oct 02, 2026

Payment Due

Oct 05, 2026

Term Start

Oct 09, 2026

Unregister/Cancel Deadline

Nov 08, 2026

Term End

November 16, 2026 Term

Nov 13, 2026

Application Due

Nov 13, 2026

Payment Due

Nov 16, 2026

Term Start

Nov 20, 2026

Unregister/Cancel Deadline

Dec 20, 2026

Term End

Tuition

We believe in full transparency with our total cost of attendance. No hidden fees. No surprises along the way.

Total Cost of Micro-Credential in Learning Behavior Specialist

Transfer Credits

credit

Total Tuition

semester credit x $ per credit

Fees

Total Program Cost

Find a plan that fits your budget.

View Payment Options

Return on Your Investment

Continuing your education is a big decision that involves an investment of your time and money. We recognize that, which is why we're committed to ensuring you experience a positive return on that investment.

You only pay the cost it takes for us to deliver your education, nothing more. By keeping our tuition low, we’ve helped our students see a $19.20 return in future higher earnings for every $1 they invested in their ACE education.¹

How to Pay for College

Because of our low tuition and total program cost, 87% of our students graduate debt-free.² Popular payment options include paying by course, paying by month or paying in full. Visit our payment options page to learn more.

$17,515

Average competitor total cost²

$9,655

Average ACE total cost^*

When we say low cost, we mean it

The proof is in the numbers. ACE’s commitment to keeping tuition and fees low means our price is a fraction of the cost of other comparable programs.

Why ACE?

Low-Cost, High Quality

You deserve a great return on your educational investment, and we deliver master's degrees at a total average cost of $10,000^*. We also award over $1.2M in scholarships and grants each year.

Tuition & ROI

$1.2M

in
scholarships

Quality You Expect

We are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Our faculty work in the industries where you work and are committed to your success, contributing to our 85% graduation rate.³ Our curriculum equips you with practical strategies you can apply right away, as well as skills to help you advance your career.

Success Stories

85%

graduation
rate³

Flexibility You Need

Our virtual campus and convenient start dates provide you the flexibility you need to achieve your goals at a time and place that works with your busy schedule. Our student support services are available 24/7 and tutoring is included at no additional cost.

Support Services

24/7

student support
services

View Our Accreditations

See How ACE Stacks Up

Graduation and Satisfaction Rates

ACE Graduates with No Debt² vs. Master’s Degree Holders from Private, For-Profit Institutions⁴

87%

31%

ACE vs. Comparison Group for Better Than Expected Overall Student Satisfaction or Higher²

86%

82%

Stay Within Your Budget

Because we don’t have a physical campus, our students don’t need to pay infrastructure or facility fees. We also keep our operational costs low by not participating in Title IV federal funding. We pass all these savings along to our students.

Network Across the Globe

Due to our engaging online format, you’ll connect and learn from industry peers worldwide. And even though you’re learning online, you won’t feel alone thanks to student discussion boards and online forums.

Gain Today’s In-Demand Skills

Learn strategies and skills you can apply immediately and leverage for future career advancement. Employers of ACE graduates report a 96% satisfaction rate,³ while 98% of our students felt their professional skills were stronger after graduation.³

Learn From Custom-Built Curriculum

Every course is created by our in-house curriculum and production team working in tandem with our academic leaders. Plus, all courses follow a consistent structure. No outdated coursework, no surprises.

See how we're different

Student Success Stories

Alumni

M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction

Jazzmyne Townsend

Read Jazzmyne's story »

Admission Requirements

ACE General Admission Requirements

Complete and submit all application components including the admission application, the enrollment agreement and payment agreement.
Submit the nonrefundable application fee. *
Provide official transcripts from an institution that is accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education indicating successful completion of the level of education required for entry to the program. **
Secure electronic transcripts can be mailed to [email protected].

*The application fee is valid for one year from date of submission.

**Additional evidence may be required to fulfill state requirements, including but not limited to verification of professional experience, test scores, or an interview.

Program Admission Requirements

Bachelor's or Highest Post-Baccalaureate degree earned from Regionally Accredited Institution

Minimum grade point average cumulative 2.5 on a 4.0 scale for full admission

International Transcript Requirements

All applicants must submit, to the Admissions Office, an official evaluation from a NACES-approved organization.

Transcripts that are international and/or not in English must be evaluated through a NACES-recommended agency.
Texas applicants for licensure programs may only submit evaluations from agencies approved by the Texas Education Agency.
International applicants must request the course-by-course evaluation. The evaluation report must show that the non-U.S. education is equivalent to the education/accreditation level required for the program.

English as a Second Language Applicants

All applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate competence in the English language as demonstrated in one of three ways:

Submission of an official transcript showing a degree from a United States secondary school or regionally accredited college/university.
Submission of an official minimum score on the paper or internet-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exams.
The minimum TOEFL score required for the internet-based version is 80, and the paper-based version requires a minimum TOEFL score of 20 for each of the three skills: Reading, Listening and Writing.
The minimum IELTS score required is 6.5. Note: IELTS is not acceptable for Texas programs leading to certification.
The testing agency must send test scores directly to American College of Education.
Applicants to the Texas Educational Leadership program whose first language is not English must submit a minimum scaled score of 24 for speaking, 22 for listening, 22 for reading and 21 for writing from the Internet-Based TOEFL (IBT) or evidence of an undergraduate or graduate degree earned at an institution of higher education in a country outside of the United States listed in Figure: 19 TAC §230.11(b)(5)(C).

¹Lightcast Study

²Internal research conducted November 2025

³Student Right to Know

⁴Education Data Initiative accessed on January 28, 2026

Let's Get Started

Our Enrollment Counselors are here to answer your questions and walk you through the enrollment process.

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