Graduate Certificate in LBS 1 Endorsement Online
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The Graduate Certificate in Learning Behavior Specialist 1 (LBS 1) at Grand Canyon University is designed for currently licensed educators in Illinois who want to specialize in working with individuals ages 5–21 who have developmental disabilities or challenging behaviors. Students in Illinois must also have a Professional Educator License (PEL) to earn this LBS Type 1 certificate of endorsement from GCU.
The curriculum covers topics such as behavior assessment and intervention, ethical and legal issues in behavior analysis as well as professional conduct and responsibilities. Using various instructional delivery models that include teaching in inclusionary settings through consultations and collaborative teaching, this 12-credit certificate can prepare you to meet the Illinois Learning Behavior Specialist 1 Endorsement requirements.
This post-baccalaureate certificate can serve as a Learning Behavior Specialist 1 Endorsement for students in the state of Illinois after completing the Illinois Learning Behavior Specialist I endorsement exam with a passing score.
Licensed teachers from Illinois may find many benefits when deciding to pursue this Learning Behavior Specialist 1 endorsement in Illinois from GCU. Moreover, understanding and meeting all the additional requirements, as determined by the Illinois State Board of Education, is crucial to obtaining and utilizing this endorsement for career advancement or skill enhancement.
Please note: While courses in this LBS 1 Endorsement are offered online, this certificate does require an in-person practicum experience.
Take Courses for LBS 1 Endorsement Online
This LBS 1 endorsement online program from GCU can be completed from anywhere, at any time. GCU’s collaborative online learning environment is designed to provide you with the freedom and support to assist you in earning your degree within the hours you have — from wherever you are. This certificate can be a way to gain experience in a particular field, demonstrate your expertise and help you position yourself for possible career advancement while balancing your personal responsibilities.
Gain Global Awareness To Adapt Instruction Appropriately
This endorsement program aligns with our Christian worldview, striving to equip you with ethical, responsible assessment strategies that promote continuous development of each student, taking into account personal backgrounds, values and experiences.
Complete Credits for the Illinois LBS 1 Endorsement
This Learning Behavior Specialist 1 endorsement for Illinois students is a type of certificate for educators who reside in the state of Illinois and need to fulfill coursework to gain experience in areas such as specialized instruction and support for students with mild to moderate disabilities and their diverse learning needs. Completing this short 12-credit endorsement can prepare you to pass the Learning Behavior Specialist 1 exam.
Learning how to consult and collaborate in inclusion settings can help you create a supportive and effective learning environment for students. In this Illinois LBS Type 1 certificate of endorsement program, you will examine how instructional planning advances the learning of students with mild to moderate disabilities by drawing upon knowledge of central concepts, structures of the discipline and tools of inquiry.
You will work toward building foundational knowledge around drafting Individualized Education Plans (IEP) and transition plans for a wide range of settings and different learning experiences.
The Illinois LBS Type 1 certificate online courses and in-person practicum experiences can teach you to create an inclusion setting by using the following collaborative techniques:
Consult With Experts
Reach out to experts, such as educational psychologists and speech therapists, to support students with mild to moderate disabilities and their families.
Collaborate With Colleagues
Engage with families and caregivers to understand the needs and challenges faced by students with mild to moderate disabilities. Additionally, ensure that families' and caregivers' input and involvement are incorporated into the teaching process.
Involve Families and Caregivers
Engage with families and caregivers to understand the needs and challenges faced by students with mild to moderate disabilities. Additionally, ensure that families' and caregivers' input and involvement are incorporated into the teaching process.
Adapt Your Teaching Methods
Consider the different learning styles and needs of your students with mild to moderate disabilities and adapt your teaching methods accordingly. This may include using visual aids, hands-on activities and technology to modify assignments and assessments.
Create Supportive Learning Environments
Foster a positive, inclusive classroom culture by promoting respect and understanding among all students. This graduate-level LBS 1 endorsement program can help you create a supportive and effective learning environment for all students, including students with mild to moderate disabilities in an inclusion setting.
Practice Professional and Ethical Leadership Skills
Graduates have the opportunity to learn about the art of leadership by effectively collaborating with students, families, school colleagues, agencies and the community by acquiring the following skills:
Upon earning your Graduate Certificate in LBS 1 at GCU, you will have been taught to apply ethical, moral and values-based leadership while collaborating and encouraging others to achieve their goals.
Special education teachers can be prepared to learn, lead and serve, while advancing teaching practice, influencing positive change and promoting communal growth. You will have the opportunity to act as leaders by creating a supportive learning environment that fosters active engagement in learning, self-motivation and positive social interaction.
Prepare to Support Students With Diverse Strengths and Needs
Students who complete GCU’s LBS 1 endorsement online certificate and the in-person practicum experience will be exposed to various analytic and critical problem-solving skills to examine, evaluate and challenge ideas that support the development and motivation of students with diverse strengths and needs.
As a graduate of GCU’s LBS 1 endorsement-only certificate, you will have had the opportunity to learn about the tools to create and adapt instruction that appropriately considers individual differences in development and approaches to learning. Recognizing and having empathy for overall differences in arts, culture, values, experiences, historical perspectives and other aspects of life can be a beneficial skill used by behavioral specialists of all kinds.
Some of these skills include the following:
Graduates with this certificate may have a range of career possibilities in the field of education, such as:
After earning your LBS 1 endorsement, you may choose to follow the path to becoming a Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBA) to work in schools, mental health centers or private practices.
GCU has held accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission since 1968, ensuring rigorous academic standards and quality education. This accreditation signifies GCU's commitment to providing you with a reputable and credible learning environment.
Graduate Certificate in LBS 1 Endorsement FAQs
GCU has answered a few frequently asked questions when it comes to pursuing this graduate-level LBS 1 endorsement online.
The main difference between the two types of certificates is the level of endorsement and the scope of responsibilities. The LBS Type 1 endorsement is for individuals who have completed a state-approved program in learning behavior specialists and have passed the Learning Behavior Specialist 1 exam. Those who need LBS 1 are typically teachers who will be providing specialized instruction and support to students with mild to moderate disabilities with diverse learning needs in a general education classroom setting.
The LBS Type 2 certificate provides a more extensive scope of responsibilities and is intended for individuals who wish to specialize in serving students with mild to moderate disabilities in a special education setting or serving as a case manager for students with IEPs.
Classroom behavior specialists and behavior coaches may share some similarities in their roles, but they are not necessarily the same. A classroom behavior specialist typically holds a Learning Behavior Specialist (LBS) certification and is a teacher who has received specialized training to work with students with diverse learning needs in a general or special education classroom setting.
A behavior coach typically does not have the same level of training and expertise as a classroom behavior specialist but will provide similar support, such as giving individual or small group support to students. This may be done by developing strategies for improving their behavior and achieving their academic goals.
The difficulty of an LBS graduate-level endorsement program can vary based on several factors like prior knowledge, experience and study habits. However, these programs uniformly demand a substantial workload, practical experience and completion of a certification exam. Additionally, some LBS programs may require you to complete a certain number of field hours working with students who have diverse learning needs in a classroom setting, which can require a significant amount of dedication and hard work.
To obtain a learning behavior specialist 1 endorsement in Illinois, you will need to hold a valid Illinois teaching license, complete a state-approved LBS program, pass the Test of Academic Proficiency (TAP), complete field experience hours and pass the LBS 1 exam. We advise checking the latest information on the Illinois State Board of Education website often to be sure you are following up-to-date information.
GCU’s Illinois LBS Type 1 certificate of endorsement may be a good option if you wish to specialize in serving students with mild to moderate exceptionalities within Illinois. To learn more about this certificate from GCU, fill out the form on this page to speak with a university counselor.
If you are seeking licensure/certification, please refer to the Accreditation and Compliance/State disclosures link for the specific program of interest’s website for your location and/or employment state licensure requirements, per 34 CFR 668.14(b)32 and 668.43(c).