Bachelor of Arts in Special Education
Learn to teach all children effectively. Explore evidence-based practices that maximize understanding and social and emotional growth for students with special needs.
About this Program
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
Program Type
Major
Area of Study
Education
School
Duration
4 Years
Degree
B.A.Ed. in Special Education
Program Location
Required Credit Hours
123 Hours
Degree Requirements
The B.A.Ed. in Special Education requires the following courses for a total of 123 credit hours.
To complete the Bachelor of Arts of Education in Special Education, students must complete:
- 57-60 hours of University Core Curriculum courses
- 9 hours of General Education courses
- 65 hours of Professional Education courses
- 9 hours of Early Childhood courses
University Core Curriculum Courses (57-60)
- Choice between WRIT 100, WRIT 101, or HON 101
- Choice between WRIT 102, LIBA 102, or HON 102
- Choice between any undergraduate level SOC or POL
- Choice of HST
- (100 level suggested)
- Choice of HST
- (100 level suggested)
- GEOG 101
- MATH 121
- (College Algebra or higher, not to inlcude MATH 245 or 246)
- Choice of Physical Science with Lab:
- ASTR 103, 104; CHEM 105/115; GEOL 101/111, 102/112, 104/114, 105/115; PHYS 107, 108, 211/212, 213/223
- Choice of Biological Science with Lab
- (BISC 102/103 suggested)
- Choice of Science Elective, Lab not required:
- ASTR 101, 103, 104; CHEM 105; GEOL 101, 102, 104, 105; PHYS 107, 108, 211, 213
- Choice of English Literature:
- ENG 221, 222, 223, 224, 225, or 226
- Choice of English Literature:
- ENG 221, 222, 223, 224, 225, or 226
- Choice of Fine Arts:
- AH 101, 102, 201, 202; DANC 200; MUSC 102, 103, 104; THEA 201
General Education Courses (9)
- MATH 235 Math for Elementary Teachers I
- MATH 246 Math for Elementary Teachers II
- Choice of MUS 329 Music for Children OR EDWP 340 Music & Movement in Elementary
Professional Education (65)
- EDRD 355 Early Literary Instruction I & II
- EDSP 308 Introduction to Special Education
- EDCI 352 Education, Society, & the K-12 Learner
- EDSP 327 Classroom & Behavioral Interventions
- EDSP 329 Character & Assessment of Individuals with Severe Disabilities
- EDSP 407 SPED Law & Procedures
- EDSP 339 Teaching & Learning with Technology
- **EDCI 353 Planning & Teaching Strategies for Effective Classroom Practice
- **EDRD 400 Reading Instruction in the Elementary Classroom
- **EDSP 403 Instructional Strategies for Students with Severe Disabilities
- **EDSP 335 Assessment of Exceptional Students
- **EDSP 317 Action Lab Seminar
- **EDSP 401 Collaboration & Conference Strategies
- **EDSP 410 Strategies for the Inclusive Classroom
- **EDRD 414 Reading Diagnosis & Intervention
- **EDRD 403 Math Elementary School OR EDSE 445 Special Methods I: Mathematics
- **EDSP 452 Practicum & Field Experience with Exceptional Children
- ***EDCI 419 Assessment
- ***EDLE 467 Student Teaching: Exceptional Students
**Denotes admission to Phase II required
***Denotes admission to Phase III required
Early Childhood Courses (9)
- EDEC 320 Early Childhood Methods
- EDEC 321 Early Childhood Development I
- EDEC 323 Special Education for Early Childhood Development
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
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.
Change Hearts, Minds, and Paradigms
We Care, Inside of the Classroom and Out
With the Kindness Club, our students promote inclusion across the Lafayette-Oxford-and-University community.
Did you know?
in Mississippi for licensure preparation and first-time pass rates.
undergraduate scholarships are awarded each year.
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
Next Steps
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