Overview
In the B.A. in Special Education Studies program, students become skilled professionals ready to serve in a high-demand profession. They learn to customize learning experiences and use evidence-based practices to meet individual needs and serve students with compassion in a variety of roles. This program will build their knowledge base and refine their skills to assess and educate students with mild and moderate disabilities.
After completing this program, students are eligible for a Tier 2 teaching license in the state of Minnesota. Students may then student teach and complete the student teaching seminar as a post-baccalaureate or graduate student to be eligible for a MN tier 3 special education teaching license. They will also be able to add additional licenses to serve students in several disability categories. Bethel offers stackable licenses in Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), Developmental Disabilities (DD), and Emotional and Behavioral Disorders (EBD).
Students graduating with a Bachelors of Arts degree in Special Education Studies will be able to:
- Develop habits of self-directed, lifelong learning in order to navigate the evolving field of special education.
- Utilize critical thinking and data-based decision making in the implementation of appropriate special education programming.
- Apply ethical principles to the profession of special education.
- Demonstrate effective collaboration skills to use with K-12 public schools, families, and outside agencies.
- Respond appropriately to cultural and faith differences at school and in the family.
- Integrate a Christian perspective and personal values with the professional practice of special education.
- Demonstrate a synthesis of license-specific standards and general best practices.
Admission Requirements
The Special Education major will consider applicants who:
- Meet the general requirements for admission to the College of Adult and Professional Studies.
- Have a transcript evaluation completed to determine which, if any, outstanding course requirements or needed credits must be fulfilled.
Students who have not achieved the minimum GPA, grade standards, or other assessment criteria may still apply to be considered for provisional acceptance. See Admission Categories.
Degree Requirements
The required curriculum for the B.A. Special Education Studies major comprises a 53 semester credit sequence of courses intended to be taken consecutively throughout the calendar year. For course sequence, request a program calendar from the College of Adult & Professional Studies. ENGL 225R, or an equivalent transfer, is a program prerequisite and must be completed before taking the below courses.
All curriculum has been approved by the MN PELSB.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EDUC 321 | Foundations in Education | 3 |
| EDUC 324 | Educational Psychology | 4 |
| EDUC 326 | General Methods of Instruction | 3 |
| EDUC 363 | Educational Equity | 3 |
| EDUC 368 | Classroom Technology | 2 |
| EDUC 395 | School-wide Systems Field Experience | 1 |
| SPED 305 | Introduction to Special Education | 2 |
| SPED 308 | Introduction to Academic Instruction and Behavior Management for Exceptional Learners | 3 |
| SPED 320 | Reading Foundations | 3 |
| SPED 321 | Reading Field Experience | 1 |
| SPED 400 | Characteristics of Mild-Moderate Disabilities | 3 |
| SPED 410 | Norm-Referenced Assessment | 4 |
| SPED 418 | Foundations of Instructional Strategies for Students with Mild-Moderate Disabilities | 4 |
| SPED 425 | Special Education: Planning and Programming | 3 |
| SPED 431 | Responsive Instruction, Intervention and Assessment | 3 |
| SPED 441 | Introduction to Behavioral Methods & Mental Health for Mild-Moderate Special Needs | 3 |
| SPED 455 | Classroom-based Assessment | 3 |
| SPED 470 | Assessment Field Experience | 1 |
| SPED 473 | ABS Field Experience | 1 |
| SPED 475 | Consultation, Collaboration, and Resources | 3 |
| Special Education Studies Major Total | 53 | |
| General Education, Core Distinctive, and Elective Courses * | 69 | |
| Total Credits | 122 | |
- *
Elective Credits can include credits transferred from prior degrees and institutions.