Graduate Certificate in LBS 1 Endorsement Online
Develop Valuable Communication and Critical Thinking Skills
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.
Benefits of GCU’s Graduate LBS 1 Illinois Certificate
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.
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Study Collaborative Teaching Techniques for Inclusive Settings
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:
Reach out to experts, such as educational psychologists and speech therapists, to support students with mild to moderate disabilities and their families.
Work with other teachers, paraprofessionals and support staff to share best practices and resources to provide additional support to students with mild to moderate disabilities and their families.
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.
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.
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.
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. Some of these skills include the following:
- Demonstrate clarity and logic in asking relevant questions and acquiring knowledge to support students with mild to moderate disabilities and their families.
- Apply inductive and deductive reasoning, analysis, evaluation and synthesis to issues and questions related to providing services to students with mild to moderate disabilities.
- Make educational decisions based on reliable and valid information, both historical and current for students with mild to moderate disabilities.
- Study techniques to make data-informed decisions that promote critical thinking capabilities to ensure students and their families are supported under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
- Promote healthy growth and development of students with mild to moderate disabilities.
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.
Career Possibilities for Graduates With a Certificate for LBS 1 in Illinois
Graduates with this certificate may have a range of career possibilities in the field of education, such as:
- Special education teacher (elementary, middle and high school)
- Special education teacher (preschool and kindergarten)
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.
Graduate With a Certificate in LBS 1 Endorsement From an Accredited University
GCU has held accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) 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. If you have more questions related to this certificate, fill out the form on this page and a university counselor will be in touch with you shortly.
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 disabilities 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).
Core Courses
Course Description
Teacher candidates are introduced to the educational needs of students with mild to moderate disabilities and their families, including the definitions, characteristics, prevalence, causes and educational approaches to these disabilities and disorders. Teacher candidates will identify cognitive, linguistic, social and emotional patterns of learning and development for students with mild to moderate disabilities. Teacher candidates also survey the special education process involving the application of various laws and regulations. Practicum/field experience hours: None. Fingerprint clearance not required.
Course Description
This course explores key characteristics of K-12 students with exceptionalities ranging from mild to moderate. Educators will examine specific learning disabilities, emotional and intellectual disabilities, other health impairments, disorders, traumatic brain injuries, multiple disabilities, and all IDEA classifications they may experience when working as a professional in the field. The course will focus on definitions, causes, prevalence of, and effects that exceptionalities can have on students’ development and learning. Research-based instructional and behavior management strategies will be introduced and explored to support working with students with these exceptionalities. Practicum/field experience hours: None. Fingerprint clearance not required.
Course Description
Teacher candidates will investigate diagnostic and assessment tools. Teacher candidates will build foundational knowledge regarding the use of multiple methods of assessment and data-sources for diagnostic and educational decisions for individuals with mild to moderate disabilities. Practicum/field experience hours: 6. Fingerprint clearance required. Prerequisite: SPD-500 or SPD-502 or approved enrollment in the Graduate Certificate of Completion: Special Education, Mild to Moderate or approved enrollment in the Graduate Certificate in Learning Behavior Specialist 1 (LBS 1).
Course Description
Teacher candidates 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 of the academic subject-matter content areas and a variety of specialized curricula. Teacher candidates build foundational knowledge about individualized education plans and transition plans for a wide range of settings and different learning experiences. Teacher candidates engage in organizing knowledge, integrating cross-disciplinary skills, and developing meaningful individualized learning progressions through drafting an IEP. Practicum/field experience hours: 9. Fingerprint clearance required. Prerequisite: SPD-510 or approved enrollment in the Graduate Certificate in Learning Behavior Specialist 1 (LBS 1).
- GCU cannot and will not promise job placement, a job, graduate school placement, transfer of GCU program credits to another institution, promotion, salary, or salary increase. Please see the Career Services Policy in the University Policy Handbook.
- Please note that this list may contain programs and courses not presently offered, as availability may vary depending on class size, enrollment and other contributing factors. If you are interested in a program or course listed herein please first contact your University Counselor for the most current information regarding availability.
- Please refer to the Academic Catalog for more information. Programs or courses subject to change
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