The B.A. in special education allows students to complete a baccalaureate degree in special education with a choice of specializations - licensure or non-licensure. Students who choose the licensure specialization will be licensed to teach K-12 special education. Students pursuing licensure in this manner complete all requirements necessary for Virginia licensure, including field experiences and student teaching, by the end of four years. Students who choose the non-licensure specialization will not be required to meet the Virginia teacher licensure testing requirements.
Degree Requirements - Special Education Teaching Licensure (B.A. in Special Education)
This degree requires 120 credits.
Liberal Arts Core Requirements
See the Liberal Arts Core for details.
Major Requirements
To fulfill the requirements of the major, all students in this program will take the following coursework in a sequence determined in collaboration with an advisor. Some courses also satisfy Liberal Arts Core requirements. Some coursework fulfills teaching licensure requirements as specified by the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Major Required Courses
| ED 200SL | Foundations of Teaching and Learning | 3 |
| ED 254 | Technology for the K-12 Classroom | 3 |
| ED 309 | Special Education: Foundations and Characteristics of Exceptional Learners | 3 |
| ED 323 | Literacy Instruction: Diagnosis and Corrective Strategies | 3 |
| ED 329 | Collaborative Models for Special Education | 3 |
| ED 339 | Individualized Education Programs and Strategies for the General Curriculum | 3 |
| ED 345 | Transition, Family, and Community Services for Individuals with Disabilities | 3 |
| ED 351 | Assessment to Support Learning in K-12 | 3 |
| ED 355 | Literacy Instruction for Diverse Learners: PK-2 | 3 |
| ED 378 | Teaching Mathematics Methods PK-6 | 3 |
| ED 379 | Teaching Science Methods PK-6 | 3 |
| ED 480 | Senior Seminar | 3 |
| EN 301 | The Writing Process: Theory and Practice | 3 |
| PSY 110 | Human Growth and Development * | 3 |
Secondary Teaching Methods
Select one of the following, the course must be completed with a minimum grade of C and a minimum 3.0 GPA in all Education courses:
| ED 366 | Secondary Teaching Methods in Science | 3 |
| | OR | |
| ED 367 | Secondary Teaching Methods in History and Social Science | 3 |
| | OR | |
| ED 368 | Secondary Teaching Methods in English | 3 |
| | OR | |
| ED 369 | Secondary Teaching Methods in Mathematics | 3 |
Content Area Electives
Nine (9) credits in one of the following: biology, English, history, or mathematics, with at least one (1) class at the 300+ level.
Specialization Requirements
Licensure specialization: Add ED 460SE and ED 461 (which must be taken at the same time).
Non-licensure specialization: Add ED 433 (1-6 credits) and an elective or electives with approval from an education advisor.
Sample Degree Plan - Special Education K-12 (B.A. in Special Education)
Please note that this is a sample plan; all students must consult with an education advisor in making course selections.
Year One - Fall
| EN 101 | Composition I * | 3 |
| PSY 110 | Human Growth and Development * | 3 |
| TRS 100 | Theological Inquiry * | 3 |
| HI | History (HI) core course * | 3 |
| | One (1) elective | 3 |
Year One - Spring
| EN 102 | Composition II * | 3 |
| | Fine and Performing Arts (FPA) core course * | 3 |
| | Natural Science (NS) core course with lab (BIO 120 and BIO 120L recommended) * | 4 |
| | Philosophy (PH) core course * | 3 |
| | One (1) elective | 3 |
Year Two - Fall
| ED 200SL | Foundations of Teaching and Learning | 3 |
| | Literature (LT) core course * | 3 |
| | Mathematics (MT) core course - MA 127 recommended * | 3-4 |
| | Social Science (SS) core course * | 3 |
| | One (1) content area course | |
Content area courses will be chosen from biology, English, history, or mathematics.
Year Two - Spring
| ED 309 | Special Education: Foundations and Characteristics of Exceptional Learners | 3 |
| | Depth in Sciences (DSCI) core course * | 3 |
| | Depth in Humanities core course | 3 |
| | One (1) content area course | |
| | Two (2) electives | 6 |
Content area courses will be chosen from biology, English, history, or mathematics.
Year Three - Fall
| ED 254 | Technology for the K-12 Classroom | 3 |
| ED 345 | Transition, Family, and Community Services for Individuals with Disabilities | 3 |
| ED 351 | Assessment to Support Learning in K-12 | 3 |
| ED 355 | Literacy Instruction for Diverse Learners: PK-2 | 3 |
| EN 301 | The Writing Process: Theory and Practice | 3 |
Content area courses will be chosen from biology, English, history, or mathematics.
Year Three - Spring
| ED 323 | Literacy Instruction: Diagnosis and Corrective Strategies | 3 |
| ED 329 | Collaborative Models for Special Education | 3 |
| ED 378 | Teaching Mathematics Methods PK-6 | 3 |
| ED 379 | Teaching Science Methods PK-6 | 3 |
Year Four - Fall
| ED 339 | Individualized Education Programs and Strategies for the General Curriculum | 3 |
| | | |
| ED 366 | Secondary Teaching Methods in Science | 3 |
| | OR | |
| ED 367 | Secondary Teaching Methods in History and Social Science | 3 |
| | OR | |
| ED 368 | Secondary Teaching Methods in English | 3 |
| | OR | |
| ED 369 | Secondary Teaching Methods in Mathematics | 3 |
| | | |
| ED 480 | Senior Seminar | 3 |
| | Depth in Faith and Reason core course * | 3 |
| | One (1) elective | 3 |
Year Four - Spring (specialization - licensure)
| ED 460SE | Student Teaching: Special Education | 6 |
| ED 461 | Classroom Management in the PK-12 Classroom | 3 |
| | One (1) elective | 3 |
Year Four - Spring (specialization - non-licensure)
The number of electives required for students in the non-licensure track varies with the number of credits for which they take ED 433. Students must take enough credits in electives to meet the university’s 120-credit requirement. Electives must be approved by the education advisor.