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
- Wilmington UniversityNew Castle
- Relay Graduate School of EducationNew York
- Chestnut Hill CollegePhiladelphia
- Chapman UniversityOrange
- Hofstra UniversityHempstead
- College of CharlestonCharleston
- Webber International UniversityBabson Park
- Baker UniversityBaldwin City
- University of Central FloridaOrlando
- Adventist University of Health SciencesOrlando
- Lesley UniversityCambridge
- San Francisco State UniversitySan Francisco
- University of New HampshireDurham
- Radford UniversityRadford
- University of CincinnatiCincinnati
- University of North DakotaGrand Forks
- Saint Louis UniversitySt Louis
- Concordia University TexasAustin
- Lewis & Clark CollegePortland
- Northwestern College - IowaOrange City
- Antioch UniversityYellow Springs
- University of Hawaiʻi at MānoaHonolulu
- William & MaryWilliamsburg
- Santa Fe Community CollegeSanta Fe
- Nashua Community CollegeNashua
- Bowling Green State UniversityBowling Green
- Augusta UniversityAugusta
- University of Tennessee at MartinMartin
- Bluffton UniversityBluffton
- Indiana Wesleyan UniversityMarion
- Saint Mary-of-the-Woods CollegeSaint Mary of the Woods
- Washington Adventist UniversityTakoma Park
- Campbellsville UniversityCampbellsville
- Ottawa UniversityOttawa
- North Carolina State UniversityRaleigh
- Moravian UniversityBethlehem
- University of Saint JosephWest Hartford
- SUNY FredoniaFredonia
- Regis UniversityDenver
- Maryville UniversitySaint Louis
- University of MontevalloMontevallo
- University of MaineOrono
- Ursuline CollegePepper Pike
- University of Nebraska–LincolnLincoln
- University of LouisvilleLouisville
- St. Thomas UniversityMiami Gardens
- Fresno Pacific UniversityFresno
- Keystone CollegeLa Plume
- The University of Texas Rio Grande ValleyEdinburg
- University of DaytonDayton
- McNeese State UniversityLake Charles
- Ball State UniversityMuncie
- University of Mary Hardin–BaylorBelton
- California State University, SacramentoSacramento
- Westfield State UniversityWestfield
- Minot State UniversityMinot
- Manhattanville CollegePurchase
- Ohio Christian UniversityCircleville
- Colorado Christian UniversityLakewood
- The University of Texas at AustinAustin
- Martin UniversityIndianapolis
- Oral Roberts UniversityTulsa
- Jones County Junior CollegeEllisville
- University of San FranciscoSan Francisco
- Bay Path UniversityLongmeadow
- Southeastern UniversityLakeland
- University of ConnecticutStorrs
- Northeastern UniversityBoston
- College of Southern IdahoTwin Falls
- Western Governors UniversitySalt Lake City
- Huston–Tillotson UniversityAustin
- Simmons UniversityBoston
- Cedar Crest CollegeAllentown
- Hillsborough Community CollegeTampa
- University of ToledoToledo
- University of Southern MainePortland
- University of Saint MaryLeavenworth
- California State University, ChicoChico
- Mississippi University for WomenColumbus
- Marian University - WisconsinFond Du Lac
- Pima Community CollegeTucson
- Laredo Community CollegeLaredo
- Mississippi Gulf Coast Community CollegePerkinston
- University of Alaska AnchorageAnchorage
- San Diego State UniversitySan Diego
- St. John's UniversityQueens
- University of GeorgiaAthens
- University of Detroit MercyDetroit
- Juniata CollegeHuntingdon
- University of Nevada, RenoReno
- Graceland UniversityLamoni
- Jarvis Christian CollegeHawkins
- Wayland Baptist UniversityPlainview
- Midland UniversityFremont
- McDaniel CollegeWestminster
- Southern Connecticut State UniversityNew Haven
- Lake Land CollegeMattoon
- Arizona State University Digital ImmersionScottsdale
- Grand Canyon UniversityPhoenix
- Touro CollegeNew York
- Hunter CollegeNew York
- University of West FloridaPensacola
- National UniversitySan Diego
- Lamar UniversityBeaumont
- University of the CumberlandsWilliamsburg
- Liberty UniversityLynchburg
- George Mason UniversityFairfax
- American College of EducationIndianapolis
- College of Mount Saint VincentBronx
- Pace UniversityNew York
- St. Joseph's College New YorkBrooklyn
- Lehman CollegeBronx
- Towson UniversityTowson
- University of Northern ColoradoGreeley
- Illinois State UniversityNormal
- Saint Joseph's UniversityPhiladelphia
- Brooklyn CollegeBrooklyn
- University of St. Thomas - MinnesotaSaint Paul
- Brandman UniversityIrvine
- Pennsylvania Western UniversityCalifornia
- Arkansas State UniversityJonesboro
- Slippery Rock UniversitySlippery Rock
- City College of San FranciscoSan Francisco
- Henderson State UniversityArkadelphia
- Northern Arizona UniversityFlagstaff
- Western Washington UniversityBellingham
- University of West GeorgiaCarrollton
- Fullerton CollegeFullerton
- Morningside CollegeSioux City
- Daemen CollegeAmherst
- University of Nevada, Las VegasLas Vegas
- Fort Hays State UniversityHays
- California State University Los AngelesLos Angeles
- SUNY CortlandCortland
- University of West AlabamaLivingston
- Arizona State University Campus ImmersionTempe
- National Louis UniversityChicago
- Roberts Wesleyan CollegeRochester
- Long Island UniversityBrookville
- College of New JerseyEwing
- Utah State UniversityLogan
- University of Wisconsin–Eau ClaireEau Claire
- Evergreen Valley CollegeSan Jose
- Southeastern Oklahoma State UniversityDurant
- Texas Tech UniversityLubbock
- The University of Arizona Global CampusSan Diego
- Northern Illinois UniversityDeKalb
- University of AkronAkron
- William Carey UniversityHattiesburg
- Bridgewater State UniversityBridgewater
- Fitchburg State UniversityFitchburg
- Commonwealth University of PennsylvaniaBloomsburg
- Mt. San Jacinto CollegeSan Jacinto
- Bank Street College of EducationNew York
- Alliant International UniversitySan Diego
- Alder Graduate School of EducationRedwood City
- Endicott CollegeBeverly
- University of FloridaGainesville
- University of Phoenix-ArizonaPhoenix
- University of MemphisMemphis
- Riverside City CollegeRiverside
- Portland State UniversityPortland
- University of HartfordWest Hartford
- University of KansasLawrence
- California State University, East BayHayward
- Georgetown CollegeGeorgetown
- Kutztown UniversityKutztown
- SUNY BrockportBrockport
- Minnesota State University, MankatoMankato
- Pasadena City CollegePasadena
- Appalachian State UniversityBoone
- Saginaw Valley State UniversityUniversity Center
- CUNY Queens CollegeQueens
- Cambridge CollegeBoston
- Kean UniversityUnion
- SUNY GeneseoGeneseo
- St. Thomas Aquinas CollegeSparkill
- Rutgers University-New BrunswickNew Brunswick
- Vanderbilt UniversityNashville
- Adelphi UniversityGarden City
- Buffalo State UniversityBuffalo
- Florida International UniversityMiami
- Eastern Michigan UniversityYpsilanti
- Northwest Missouri State UniversityMaryville
- Merrimack CollegeNorth Andover
- University of ArizonaTucson
- West Chester UniversityWest Chester
- Saddleback CollegeMission Viejo
- Mississippi CollegeClinton
- SUNY PlattsburghPlattsburgh
- New Jersey City UniversityJersey City
- Grand Valley State UniversityAllendale
- Auburn UniversityAuburn
- Bethel UniversitySaint Paul
- California State University, FresnoFresno
- Rowan UniversityGlassboro
- Pennsylvania State University-World CampusUniversity Park
- Molloy CollegeRockville Centre
- Ashland UniversityAshland
- Fordham UniversityBronx
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.






























