School of Education
Special Education Degree
Education Bachelor's Degree Program
Special Education serves children and young adults with a variety of exceptionalities including learning disabilities, mild to moderate disabilities, behavioral disabilities, and cognitive disabilities.
Students earning a bachelor’s degree in special education work as special educators in schools and program developers and directors in community-based systems.
Looking for a graduate degree in education?Click here
Why should I earn a special education degree?
Impact
Gain the skills necessary to give your students the opportunity to grow.
Relationships
Ask any special ed teacher – there will be challenges, but the connections you form with your students are worth every bump in the road.
In Demand
As programs grow, so does the demand for teachers with this important skill set.
What Can I Do With a Special Education Degree
- Special education teacher
- Special education specialist
Storm Lake
Why study special education at BVU?
Never Alone
Partner with exercise science majors to host Unified Sports Day for special needs children. Collaborate with computer science students to develop virtual reality learning activities. From teamwork with your fellow students to advice from our supportive, experienced faculty, this is a journey you won’t have to take alone.
Opportunity
Through BVU’s partnerships with local schools, you will receive field experience in almost every class you take, and—with a quality degree in special education from BVU—you can not only pursue special education teaching but also program directing and developing in a variety of settings.
The Right Tools to Help Students
Education Students Visit Assistive Technology Center
Students from the Student Chapter of Council for Exceptional Children organization traveled to the Iowa Center for Assistive Technology Education and Research. They spent hours learning about assistive technology which can help learners with reading, writing, organization, note-taking, math challenges, and resourcing skills. Learning about this assistive technology can be helpful for students with multiple needs (such as dyslexia) and increase their learning and engagement in the classroom.
Hybrid Learning
You can earn your bachelor’s degree in special education without leaving your community. Hybrid courses combine the benefit of live video instruction with the convenience of online learning. In addition to a weekly class, hybrid students complete their coursework online and receive personalized advisement from local BVU site staff.
Transfer to BVU
BVU has transfer agreements with Iowa’s community colleges, helping you get the most out of your hard-earned credits.
Contact an academic advisor at 712.749.1000 to see how your credits will transfer.
See How Your Credits TransferSpecial Education Courses and Areas of Specialization
Students may elect to complete an area of specialization in special education (listed below) or complete a minor with teaching licensure in a content area. These specializations are completed in an internship model with assigned academic and field work.
Autism Spectrum Disorders | Emotional and Behavioral Disorders | Intellectual Disabilities | Learning Disabilities | Multiple Disabilities | Physical Disabilities
- Major in Special Education (54 Credit Hours, with Education Core 73 Credit Hours)
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.
-
EDCO 240 Human Development: School Age Children or EDCO 241 Human Development: Adolescents
-
EDCO 245 Learning and Motivation: School Age Children or EDCO 246 Learning and Motivation: Adolescents
-
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
-
EDCO
301
Introduction to Exceptional Learners
-
EDCO
303
Differentiated Instruction for Diverse Learners
-
EDCO
390
Instructional Technology and Innovative Teaching
Special Education Courses
(40 credit hours)
-
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
-
ESSI
303
Curriculum Development and Instruction with Field Experience
-
ESSI
304
Literacy Methods with Field Experience
-
ESSI
305
Mathematics Methods with Field Experience
-
ESSI
306
Methods for Teaching Students with Cognitive Disabilities with Field Experience
-
ESSI
307
Methods for Teaching Students with Behavioral Disabilities with Field Experience
-
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)
-
EDUC
317
Foundations of Literacy
-
EDUC
342
Methods of Written Communications
-
EDUC
371
Methods of Data-Driven Literacy Instruction
-
EDUC
393
Elementary Math Methods & Field Experience
-
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.
Autism Spectrum Disorders Specialization
-
ESSI
320
Characteristics of Learners with Autism Spectrum Disorders
-
ESSI
321
Assessments of Learners with Autism Spectrum Disorders
-
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
-
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
-
ESSI
340
Characteristics of Learners with Intellectual Disabilities
-
ESSI
341
Assessments of Learners with Intellectual Disabilities
-
ESSI
342
Instructional Strategies for Learners with Intellectual Disabilities
-
ESSI
343
Transition and Self-Determination for Intellectual Disabilities
-
ESSI
344
Field Experience and Portfolio in Working with Learners with Intellectual Disabilities
Learning Disabilities
-
ESSI
350
Characteristics of Learners with Learning Disabilities
-
ESSI
351
Assessments of Learners with Learning Disabilities
-
ESSI
352
Instructional Strategies for Learners with Learning Disabilities
-
ESSI
353
Transition and Self-Determination for Learners with Learning Disabilities
-
ESSI
354
Field Experience and Portfolio in Working with Learners with Learning Disabilities
Multiple Disabilities
-
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
Financial Aid & Scholarships
We’ll help you figure out your options for financial assistance and possible scholarships.
Learn More Info Special Education Faculty
Our instructors are committed to helping you build the future in Iowa and beyond.
See Our Faculty Transfer Your Credits
Do you have previously earned credits or an associate degree? BVU accepts most — if not all — of your credits so you don’t have to retake courses.
Request More Info Earn a Master’s Degree Faster with Our Accelerated Program
With BVU's Plus One program, you can earn your education, special education, or organizational leadership master's within one year of graduating with your bachelor’s degree.
Hybrid | On Campus
Elementary Education
An elementary education major prepares future teachers to teach grades kindergarten through six.
Hybrid | On Campus
Educational Studies
Designed for students who have an interest in an education-oriented career beyond becoming a licensed teacher.
Hybrid | Online
Education and Training
BVU's education & training minor supports individuals involved in training in human services agencies and related organizations.
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