Special Education

BVU special education majors combine science, theory, and hands-on field and classroom experience while building a professional network of their own. Our teacher mentors have the real-life experience necessary to provide the knowledge required in classrooms today.
BVU offers all four endorsements within the major, or as independent endorsements:
- Strategist I: Mild to moderate disabilities K-8: Teach students with mild to moderate disabilities in resource, inclusion, pull-out, and push-in models with students having exceptionalities in the area of mild to moderate disabilities.
- Strategist II:
- Option 1: Cognitive: Teach students with severe and profound cognitive or physical disabilities in grades K-12.
- Option 2: Behavior/learning: Teach students with severe and profound behavior or learning disabilities in grades K-12.
Endorsements are also available as part of a unique plus 1 master’s degree, where students have the option of completing their bachelor’s degree in a teaching endorsement area, plus their master’s in special education in one additional year.
- Council Bluffs
- Creston
- Denison
- Estherville
- Fort Dodge
- Marshalltown
- Mason City
- Ottumwa
- Sioux City
- Spencer
Transfer to BVU
100% of Associate’s degrees from our community college partners transfer to BVU. Most AA degrees require 68 credits, and we make sure that they all transfer to BVU. Talk about saving time and money!
Contact a personal advisor at 712.749.1000 to see how your credits will transfer.
Try the Transferology web app to see how your credits transfer
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The Education Core
(18-19 credit hours)
The education core, which is required of all students seeking a teaching license, is the nucleus of the teacher education program and includes basic courses in education and psychology. Elementary education majors, students seeking secondary licensure, and Post Baccalaureate students are required to take all EDCO courses for a letter grade and to earn a minimum grade of “C-“ in each course.
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EDCO 240 Human Development: School Age Children or EDCO 241 Human Development: Adolescents
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EDCO 245 Learning and Motivation: School Age Children or EDCO 246 Learning and Motivation: Adolescents
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EDCO
255
Professional Seminar I and Field Experience: Learning and Motivation
-
EDCO
280
History of American Education
-
EDCO
290/291
Professional Seminar II and Field Experience: Human Relations
-
EDCO
301
Differentiated Instruction for Exceptional Learners
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EDCO
301
Introduction to Exceptional Learners
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EDCO
303
Differentiated Instruction for Diverse Learners
-
EDCO
390
Instructional Technology and Innovative Teaching
Students pursuing K-12 Licensure (art, foreign language (Spanish education), music, PE) may take either EDCO 240 or EDCO 241, and EDCO 245 or EDCO 246. Each course includes learning related to the full span of age ranges; however, the focused range is different as indicated by the course title. The recommended path is to take one course focusing on school-age children (EDCO 240 or EDCO 245) and one course focusing on adolescents (EDCO 241 or EDCO 246). ESSI majors should take ESSI 102 and 103, instead of EDCO 303.
The education core, which is required of all students seeking a teaching license, is the nucleus of the teacher education program and includes basic courses in education and psychology. Elementary education majors, students seeking secondary licensure, and Post Baccalaureate students are required to take all EDCO courses for a letter grade and to earn a minimum grade of “C-“ in each course.
Students pursuing K-12 Licensure (art, foreign language (Spanish education), music, PE) may take either EDCO 240 or EDCO 241, and EDCO 245 or EDCO 246. Each course includes learning related to the full span of age ranges; however, the focused range is different as indicated by the course title. The recommended path is to take one course focusing on school-age children (EDCO 240 or EDCO 245) and one course focusing on adolescents (EDCO 241 or EDCO 246). ESSI majors should take ESSI 102 and 103, instead of EDCO 303.
Special Education Courses
(40 credit hours)
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ESSI
210
Special Education Law and Professional Practices with Field Experience
-
ESSI
220
Multidisciplinary Assessment and Evaluation
-
ESSI
230
Transitions and Self-Determination
-
ESSI
291
Professional Seminar II: Supervised Participation in Special Education
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ESSI
303
Curriculum Development and Instruction with Field Experience
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ESSI
304
Literacy Methods with Field Experience
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ESSI
305
Mathematics Methods with Field Experience
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ESSI
306
Methods for Teaching Students with Cognitive Disabilities with Field Experience
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ESSI
307
Methods for Teaching Students with Behavioral Disabilities with Field Experience
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ESSI
310
Behavior Interventions and Supports with Field Experience
-
TEAC
494
Professional Seminar III: Student Teaching - Elementary ESSI
-
TEAC
495
Professional Seminar III: Student Teaching - Secondary ESSI
Support Work
(14 credit hours)
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EDUC
317
Foundations of Literacy
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EDUC
342
Methods of Written Communications
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EDUC
371
Methods of Data-Driven Literacy Instruction
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EDUC
393
Elementary Math Methods & Field Experience
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EXSC
321
Adapted Physical Education
Areas of Specialization
In addition to this, students who complete the ESSI major may elect to complete an area of specialization listed below or complete a minor with teaching licensure in a content area. These are completed in an internship model with assigned academic and field work.
In addition to this, students who complete the ESSI major may elect to complete an area of specialization listed below or complete a minor with teaching licensure in a content area. These are completed in an internship model with assigned academic and field work.
Autism Spectrum Disorders Specialization
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ESSI
320
Characteristics of Learners with Autism Spectrum Disorders
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ESSI
321
Assessments of Learners with Autism Spectrum Disorders
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ESSI
322
Instructional Strategies for Learners with Autism Spectrum Disorders
-
ESSI
323
Transition and Self-Determination for Learners with Autism Spectrum Disorders
-
ESSI
324
Field Experience and Portfolio in Working with Learners with Autism Spectrum Disorders
Emotional and Behavioral Disorders
-
ESSI
330
Characteristics of Learners with Emotional and Behavioral Disorders
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ESSI
331
Assessments of Learners with Emotional and Behavioral Disorders
-
ESSI
332
Instructional Strategies for Learners with Emotional and Behavioral Disorders
-
ESSI
333
Transition and Self-Determination for Learners with Emotional and Behavioral Disorders
-
ESSI
334
Field Experience and Portfolio in Working with Learners with Emotional and Behavioral Disorders
Intellectual Disabilities
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ESSI
340
Characteristics of Learners with Intellectual Disabilities
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ESSI
341
Assessments of Learners with Intellectual Disabilities
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ESSI
342
Instructional Strategies for Learners with Intellectual Disabilities
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ESSI
343
Transition and Self-Determination for Intellectual Disabilities
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ESSI
344
Field Experience and Portfolio in Working with Learners with Intellectual Disabilities
Learning Disabilities
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ESSI
350
Characteristics of Learners with Learning Disabilities
-
ESSI
351
Assessments of Learners with Learning Disabilities
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ESSI
352
Instructional Strategies for Learners with Learning Disabilities
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ESSI
353
Transition and Self-Determination for Learners with Learning Disabilities
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ESSI
354
Field Experience and Portfolio in Working with Learners with Learning Disabilities
Multiple Disabilities
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ESSI
360
Characteristics of Learners with Multiple Disabilities
-
ESSI
361
Characteristics of Learners with Multiple Disabilities
-
ESSI
362
Instructional Strategies for Learners with Multiple Disabilities
-
ESSI
363
Transition and Self-Determination for Learners with Multiple Disabilities
-
ESSI
364
Field Experience and Portfolio in Working with Learners with Multiple Disabilities
Physical Disabilities
-
ESSI
370
Characteristics of Learners with Physical Disabilities
-
ESSI
371
Assessments of Learners with Physical Disabilities
-
ESSI
372
Instructional Strategies for Learners with Physical Disabilities
-
ESSI
373
Transition and Self-Determination for Learners with Physical Disabilities
-
ESSI
374
Transition and Self-Determination for Learners with Physical Disabilities
Admissions criteria for the Exceptional Student Service and Instruction (Special Education) program
BVU's degree completion programs are classified as junior-senior level. Persons who have completed an associate degree or 60 credit hours from a regionally accredited institution qualify for admission. College level examination program credits (CLEP) and life experience credit may be available as described in the academic section.
Admissions criteria for the Exceptional Student Service and Instruction (Special Education) program
Although personal interviews are not required, applicants are urged to confer with an advisor.
Request that official transcript(s) from each college or university previously attended be sent to BVU. Without official transcripts and records, a student will not be allowed to register beyond the initial semester.
Complete the BVU Degree Completion Application
If you will be applying for financial assistance including student loans, complete the Free Application for Federal Financial Student Aid (FAFSA) at www.fafsa.gov.
Students who have previously earned a B.A. or B.S. degree may be eligible to earn a second bachelor’s degree from Buena Vista University.

TUITION & FEES
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BVU's Institution code: 001847
Don't miss the opportunity for financial aid. Fill out the FAFSA at fafsa.gov and use BVU's institution code.
All Buena Vista University programs are approved for the G.I. Bill and Yellow Ribbon Program.
The Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant Program provides up to $4,000 per year in grants for graduate and undergraduate students who intend to teach full-time in high-need subject areas for at least four years at schools that serve students from low-income families. Students must meet all eligibility requirements.
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