Special Education, B.A.
Learn to teach all children effectively. Explore evidence-based practices that maximize understanding and social and emotional growth for students with special needs.
About the Bachelor of Arts in Special Education
The B.A.Ed in Special Education program teaches special education candidates the skills and knowledge needed to be an effective special education teacher in the K-12 setting. The focus of this program is to prepare candidates to teach students with diverse learning needs.
The core focus of the special education program mirrors the Council for Exceptional Children’s (CEC) standards. These seven CEC standards are organized under four areas of focus: learners and learning environments, curricular knowledge, assessment, specialized pedagogical skills, and professional and collaborative skills.
Our special education candidates:
- explore the newest methodologies and technologies for assisting and engaging learners with diverse needs;
- observe and teach in local classrooms, sharpening their pedagogical skills alongside practitioners and school students; and
- progress through a series of developmentally sequenced field experiences with students at varying grades and exceptionalities.
The B.A.Ed. in Special Education program is approved for a K-12 license with an endorsement in Mild/Moderate and Severe/Profound Disabilities.
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Program Information
Degree
B.A.Ed. in Special Education
Emphases
N/A
Required Credit Hours
123 Hours
Program Type
Major
Program Location
School
Duration
4 Years
Explore Everything the B.A.Ed. in Special Education has to Offer
Applicants to the program must meet these requirements:
- 2.5 grade point average (entry admission for transfer students and change of major)
- 2.75 grade point average (admission for Phase II: Teacher Education Program) and appropriate scores on either the ACT, SAT or Praxis CORE* (link to Phase II information is posted above under Program Description)
*Praxis Core Exemption: Students are exempt from taking the Praxis CORE exam for admission to Phase II if they:
- Provide proof of an ACT score of at least a 21 composite (or SAT equivalent; View the SAT Equivalency Scoring sheet for more information) OR
- Have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher on a minimum of 60 hours of completed coursework
All teacher education candidates in the elementary, health and physical education, secondary, and special education programs are placed in one location during the senior year.
- The yearlong internship consists of senior practicum and student teaching.
- Candidates are paired with the same Clinical Instructor for the entire senior year.
All senior yearlong placements are overseen by a Uuniversity Ssupervisor and are based on the Interstate Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium Standards (InTASC) and Special Professional Association (SPA) Standards.
Candidates must take three separate Praxis exams to be highly qualified in both mild/moderate and severe/profound disabilities to teach core subject grades K-12.
For more information on seeking licensure outside Mississippi, please review the Certification information.
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Want to learn more?
We're glad your interested in our program! If you'd like to chat or just need more information, don't hesitate to reach out.
Diane Lawrence Lowry
Clinical Associate Professor of Special Education
Change Hearts, Minds, and Paradigms
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in Mississippi for licensure preparation and first-time pass rates.
undergraduate scholarships are awarded each year.
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