Bachelor's Degree in Special Education and Teaching
This 4-year bachelor's degree trains students in special education methods to support learners with diverse needs and prepares them for teaching or support roles in educational settings.
About
The Bachelor's Degree in Special Education and Teaching is designed for students interested in working with children and adults who have learning difficulties or disabilities. This degree provides foundational knowledge and skills to understand various special needs and how to adapt teaching methods accordingly. It is suited for those who want to become special education teachers, teaching assistants, or educational support professionals.
- The program focuses on understanding different types of disabilities and learning challenges.
- Students learn how to create inclusive classrooms and develop individualized education plans.
- It prepares graduates to work in schools, specialized institutions, or community organizations.
- The degree is typically completed in four years at a university or college in the United States.
- It aims to equip students with both theoretical knowledge and practical teaching skills.
What you study
The curriculum covers a wide range of subjects related to special education and teaching strategies. Over the four years, students progress from foundational courses to more specialized topics and practical experiences. Early years focus on general education and psychology, while later years emphasize teaching methods and intervention techniques.
- Core subjects include child development, learning disabilities, and behavior management.
- Students study assessment techniques to identify student needs and track progress.
- The program includes lesson planning tailored to diverse learners.
- Practical training through fieldwork or student teaching placements is an essential part of the curriculum.
- Courses also cover collaboration with families and other professionals.
- The degree balances theory with hands-on experience to prepare students for real classroom challenges.
How to get in
Admission to this bachelor's degree typically requires a high school diploma or equivalent. The process involves submitting an application through the university's admission system, often including transcripts, test scores, and sometimes letters of recommendation. Some programs may require a personal statement or interview to assess motivation and suitability.
- Applicants should have completed high school with a focus on relevant subjects like biology or social sciences.
- Strong communication skills and an interest in education are important.
- Universities in the US use systems like the Common Application for admissions.
- Some programs may have minimum GPA requirements or prerequisite courses.
- Experience working with children or volunteering in educational settings can strengthen applications.
Day to day
The academic year combines classroom learning with practical experiences. Students attend lectures, participate in workshops, and engage in group projects. A significant part of the program involves supervised internships or student teaching in schools, allowing students to apply their knowledge in real situations.
- The schedule includes regular classes on theory and teaching methods.
- Students complete field placements where they observe and assist special education teachers.
- Projects may involve designing lesson plans or creating educational materials.
- The program usually follows a semester system with breaks for holidays.
- Some programs offer opportunities for summer internships or additional training.
Careers this degree leads to
Graduates can pursue careers in various educational and support roles. Common jobs include special education teacher, teaching assistant, or educational coordinator. Schools, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies often hire professionals trained in special education. The demand for qualified special education staff is generally steady, with opportunities in both public and private sectors.
- Many graduates work as special education teachers in K-12 schools.
- Others find roles as teacher aides or behavioral specialists.
- Positions are available in public school districts and specialized educational centers.
- The field requires patience, communication skills, and adaptability.
- Employment often involves collaboration with families and other professionals.
Careers after further study
These careers require a higher level of study than this degree.
Continuing your studies
After earning this bachelor's degree, students can continue their studies to deepen their expertise or qualify for advanced roles. Graduate programs in special education, educational psychology, or counseling are common paths. Some may choose to pursue certification or licensure required to teach in public schools.
- Master's degrees in special education or related fields are popular options.
- Additional training can lead to roles in educational administration or therapy.
- Some graduates pursue teaching credentials if not already obtained.
- Graduate studies often involve research and specialized practice.
Where to study this degree (200)
Liste des 200 établissements
- Huston–Tillotson UniversityAustin
- Midland UniversityFremont
- Manhattanville CollegePurchase
- University of Tennessee at MartinMartin
- Regis UniversityDenver
- Washington Adventist UniversityTakoma Park
- Wayland Baptist UniversityPlainview
- Adventist University of Health SciencesOrlando
- Concordia University TexasAustin
- University of Mary Hardin–BaylorBelton
- California State University, SacramentoSacramento
- Ursuline CollegePepper Pike
- University of New HampshireDurham
- Northwestern College - IowaOrange City
- Hofstra UniversityHempstead
- Webber International UniversityBabson Park
- Oral Roberts UniversityTulsa
- Jarvis Christian CollegeHawkins
- Juniata CollegeHuntingdon
- St. John's UniversityQueens
- The University of Texas at AustinAustin
- Ottawa UniversityOttawa
- San Francisco State UniversitySan Francisco
- Ohio Christian UniversityCircleville
- Western Governors UniversitySalt Lake City
- Grand Canyon UniversityPhoenix
- Bowling Green State UniversityBowling Green
- St. Joseph's College New YorkBrooklyn
- Towson UniversityTowson
- Illinois State UniversityNormal
- Slippery Rock UniversitySlippery Rock
- Northern Arizona UniversityFlagstaff
- Western Washington UniversityBellingham
- SUNY CortlandCortland
- Arizona State University Campus ImmersionTempe
- Utah State UniversityLogan
- University of Wisconsin–Eau ClaireEau Claire
- Liberty UniversityLynchburg
- University of AkronAkron
- Commonwealth University of PennsylvaniaBloomsburg
- University of MemphisMemphis
- College of New JerseyEwing
- Kutztown UniversityKutztown
- SUNY BrockportBrockport
- Saginaw Valley State UniversityUniversity Center
- SUNY GeneseoGeneseo
- Florida International UniversityMiami
- West Chester UniversityWest Chester
- Rowan UniversityGlassboro
- University of Nevada, Las VegasLas Vegas
- Grand Valley State UniversityAllendale
- Auburn UniversityAuburn
- Ashland UniversityAshland
- Millersville UniversityMillersville
- SUNY Old WestburyOld Westbury
- Michigan State UniversityEast Lansing
- East Carolina UniversityGreenville
- Shippensburg UniversityShippensburg
- Northern Illinois UniversityDeKalb
- Kent State University at KentKent
- Bridgewater State UniversityBridgewater
- Broward CollegeFort Lauderdale
- Lewis UniversityRomeoville
- University of North Carolina at CharlotteCharlotte
- Ohio University LancasterAthens
- University of Wisconsin–OshkoshOshkosh
- Marist CollegePoughkeepsie
- Molloy CollegeRockville Centre
- Providence CollegeProvidence
- University of Nebraska–LincolnLincoln
- Indiana University of PennsylvaniaIndiana
- Ball State UniversityMuncie
- University of West FloridaPensacola
- University of AlabamaTuscaloosa
- University of Wisconsin–WhitewaterWhitewater
- Nazareth CollegeRochester
- University of Wisconsin–Stevens PointStevens Point
- Old Dominion UniversityNorfolk
- Southern Connecticut State UniversityNew Haven
- University of Central FloridaOrlando
- Minot State UniversityMinot
- The University of Arizona Global CampusSan Diego
- University of Nebraska at OmahaOmaha
- East Stroudsburg UniversityEast Stroudsburg
- Niagara UniversityNiagara University
- University of Puerto Rico-BayamonBayamon
- Eastern Michigan UniversityYpsilanti
- Pennsylvania Western UniversityCalifornia
- University of Wisconsin–MadisonMadison
- Morehead State UniversityMorehead
- University of Wisconsin–StoutMenomonie
- Brigham Young UniversityProvo
- University of GeorgiaAthens
- Miami Dade CollegeMiami
- SUNY FredoniaFredonia
- James Madison UniversityHarrisonburg
- University of Northern ColoradoGreeley
- Murray State UniversityMurray
- Syracuse UniversitySyracuse
- Minnesota State University, MankatoMankato
- University of Puerto Rico-Rio PiedrasSan Juan
- Western Kentucky UniversityBowling Green
- Walsh UniversityNorth Canton
- Winona State UniversityWinona
- Mount St. Joseph UniversityCincinnati
- Saint Mary-of-the-Woods CollegeSaint Mary of the Woods
- Wayne State CollegeWayne
- Mercyhurst UniversityErie
- University of North Carolina at GreensboroGreensboro
- Southern Illinois University CarbondaleCarbondale
- University of North FloridaJacksonville
- Northeastern Illinois UniversityChicago
- Utah Valley UniversityOrem
- Miami University-OxfordOxford
- University of CincinnatiCincinnati
- Mississippi State UniversityStarkville
- Hope CollegeHolland
- Indiana University BloomingtonBloomington
- Saint Joseph's UniversityPhiladelphia
- Seton Hall UniversitySouth Orange
- University of Tennessee at KnoxvilleKnoxville
- Eastern Illinois UniversityCharleston
- St. Bonaventure UniversitySaint Bonaventure
- University of Minnesota-Twin CitiesMinneapolis
- University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignUrbana
- Manhattan UniversityRiverdale
- South Georgia State CollegeDouglas
- Bellarmine UniversityLouisville
- University of Rio Grande and Rio Grande Community CollegeRio Grande
- University of Hawaiʻi at MānoaHonolulu
- Central Michigan UniversityMount Pleasant
- Keuka CollegeKeuka Park
- Clemson UniversityClemson
- Southwest Minnesota State UniversityMarshall
- Lebanon Valley CollegeAnnville
- Nicholls State UniversityThibodaux
- New Mexico Highlands UniversityLas Vegas
- Ohio State University-Main CampusColumbus
- Capital UniversityColumbus
- Florida State UniversityTallahassee
- Appalachian State UniversityBoone
- Missouri State UniversitySpringfield
- Neumann UniversityAston
- Holy Family UniversityPhiladelphia
- Eastern Washington UniversityCheney
- Southeast Missouri State UniversityCape Girardeau
- Southern Illinois University EdwardsvilleEdwardsville
- Athens State UniversityAthens
- University of Missouri-ColumbiaColumbia
- University of Central MissouriWarrensburg
- Western Michigan UniversityKalamazoo
- Western Carolina UniversityCullowhee
- Boise State UniversityBoise
- Granite State CollegeManchester
- University of DaytonDayton
- University of ArkansasFayetteville
- Tennessee Technological UniversityCookeville
- University of New Mexico-Main CampusAlbuquerque
- Aurora UniversityAurora
- High Point UniversityHigh Point
- Upper Iowa UniversityFayette
- Jacksonville State UniversityJacksonville
- East Tennessee State UniversityJohnson City
- Purdue University West LafayetteWest Lafayette
- Buffalo State UniversityBuffalo
- Bethel UniversitySaint Paul
- Medgar Evers CollegeBrooklyn
- Cabrini UniversityRadnor
- Northwest Missouri State UniversityMaryville
- Pennsylvania State University-Main CampusUniversity Park
- University of ConnecticutStorrs
- Nevada State UniversityHenderson
- Inter American University of Puerto Rico-AreciboArecibo
- University of HartfordWest Hartford
- Brigham Young University - IdahoRexburg
- Shawnee State UniversityPortsmouth
- Georgia State UniversityAtlanta
- University of Nebraska at KearneyKearney
- Georgia College & State UniversityMilledgeville
- University of UtahSalt Lake City
- George Mason UniversityFairfax
- Ohio Wesleyan UniversityDelaware
- Roosevelt UniversityChicago
- University of KentuckyLexington
- Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical UniversityNormal
- Chadron State CollegeChadron
- Hood CollegeFrederick
- University of South DakotaVermillion
- College of CharlestonCharleston
- Trinity Christian CollegePalos Heights
- Coastal Carolina UniversityConway
- Elmira CollegeElmira
- University of ToledoToledo
- La Salle UniversityPhiladelphia
- University of WyomingLaramie
- Fontbonne UniversitySaint Louis
- Indiana Wesleyan UniversityMarion
- Thiel CollegeGreenville
- Portland State UniversityPortland
- Weber State UniversityOgden
Frequently asked questions
What is the main focus of this bachelor's degree?
The degree focuses on training students to support learners with special needs by teaching adapted educational methods and understanding various disabilities.
Can I become a certified teacher after this degree?
Graduates may need to complete additional certification or licensure programs to teach in public schools, depending on state requirements.
Are there practical experiences included in the program?
Yes, the program includes fieldwork and student teaching placements to gain hands-on experience in real classroom settings.
What kind of jobs can I get with this degree?
Common jobs include special education teacher, teaching assistant, behavioral specialist, and educational coordinator in various educational settings.
Is prior experience with children necessary to apply?
While not always required, having experience working or volunteering with children can strengthen your application and prepare you for the program.
Can I study this degree part-time or through alternance?
Most programs are full-time and do not offer alternance or apprenticeship options, but some schools may offer part-time study.
What subjects will I study during the degree?
You will study child development, learning disabilities, educational psychology, teaching methods, behavior management, and assessment techniques.
What further studies can I pursue after this bachelor's degree?
You can continue with master's degrees in special education or related fields, teaching credential programs, or certifications in specialized areas.


























