Counseling & Special Education

The Department of Counseling and Special Education (CSE) prepares professionals to be socially responsible leaders who care about and advocate for those without a strong voice. Working in many different educational and community settings, our graduates help children and adults improve their learning and life experiences.

Courses include extensive fieldwork, which means our students begin to apply their knowledge and skills even before graduation. The programs conducted through the Education & Counseling Center (ECC) are a prime example; this learning laboratory provides students with opportunities to serve diverse populations in the Chicago area. Because of the CSE hands-on learning focus, our students can see and understand how many kinds of difference affect education, learning and growth.

Undergraduate Programs

Graduate Programs

Counseling (MA/MEd)

Reading Specialist (MA/MEd)
Special Education (MEd)

Pre-Service Special Education (PSE) for candidates seeking initial Illinois licensure
Special Education for Teachers (SET) for candidates who already hold a current and valid Illinois Professional Educator License
Special Education & Elementary Education (SEE) for candidates seeking an initial Illinois licensure with endorsements in special education and elementary education.

Licensure & Endorsements

Education that’s not only purposeful, but also practical

Our students work to make their schools, agencies and college campuses better places for those they serve. A Vincentian education is a person-centered, holistic pedagogy that integrates values, diversity and respect. DePaul University’s commitment to Vincentian personalism is why our Counseling and Special Education graduates are change agents in their professional positions. This focus makes our programs sought after by students, and this is why employers recruit our graduates.