Learn to teach, guide and support children with mild disabilities with a special education degree that will equip you to make a difference.
Locations
- Statesboro Campus (In-Person)
Why Major in Special Education at Georgia Southern?
- Make a meaningful impact on children with disabilities.
- Promote equity and inclusivity in education.
- Earn your initial special education teacher certification.
- Enjoy job security as demand for special educators stays high.
- 124 credit hours to completion.
Special education teachers are vital in helping students with diverse physical, emotional and learning needs reach their full potential. Georgia Southern’s special education degree program prepares educators to support these students in inclusive and resource settings, providing them with the skills to make a meaningful impact in general education classrooms and through targeted pull-out interventions. Our bachelor’s program includes a certification track that leads to initial special education teacher certification.
Our unique field-based approach gives you hands-on experience in real-world classrooms from the beginning of your program, allowing you to work in a variety of public school settings before your final student teaching semester. This approach prepares you to confidently meet the challenges of today’s inclusive classrooms.
Upon graduation, you’ll be eligible to take the Special Education GACE exam, qualifying you for Georgia’s P-12 special education teacher certification with a focus on supporting students in inclusive and resource settings.
Ready to Apply?
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What Can You Do With a Special Education Degree?
Across the U.S., the need for qualified special education teachers remains high, and you’ll be able to find a job almost anywhere. With a special education degree and certification, you’ll be equipped with skills in behavior management, differentiated instruction and individual education plans (IEPs) so you can help students with learning disabilities learn and thrive.
Special education teachers work in public and private schools, early intervention programs and community organizations. You can also choose to advance your career with further education and specialization, or go on to roles in policy or advocacy.
Where our graduates work:
- Public school systems
- Private schools
- Magnet schools
- Early intervention programs
- School administrative organizations
- State Departments of Education
What our graduates do:
- Special education teacher
- Principal
- Special education director
- Transition specialist
- Behavior analyst
- Behavior specialist
- Case manager
- Counselor
What You’ll Learn
The bachelor’s in special education progresses in three key phases: foundational coursework in professional education, methodology classes tackling academic instruction and special education courses.
You’ll learn instructional strategies, assessments, technology, accommodations and evidence-based practices to make learning meaningful and appropriate for students with disabilities. Your special education courses will explore topics like classroom management, cultural diversity, technology-enabled learning and characteristics of learners with disabilities.
Real-world practicums and research opportunities in different public classrooms hone your skills even before you begin your student teaching internship. After successfully completing the program, you’ll be ready to sit for the GACE exam and earn your Georgia special education teacher certification.
See the CurriculumBuild Your Experience
Pursuing a career in education is both rewarding and challenging. Find the support, resources and community you need to succeed while earning your education degree at Georgia Southern.
Accelerate Your Master’s
You could be eligible for an accelerated bachelor’s to master’s (ABM) program. ABM programs allow you to begin graduate studies in your senior year so you can accelerate completion of a graduate degree in special education, saving time and money.
Get Involved
Enrich your academic experience and find community by joining one of the education-focused student organizations on campus, from Educators of Color to the Honors College.
Eagle E.D.G.E.
Broaden your horizons with unique field experiences in education through the Eagle Educators Engaging in Distinct and Genuine Experiences program. Opportunities include paid residencies, international study opportunities and professional development.
Take Action
Follow these steps to complete the Georgia Southern application:
- Create an application account.
- Complete our online application using the PIN you received after creating your application account.
- Once complete, pay the $30 application fee or upload a valid fee waiver. Previous Georgia Southern applicants and dual enrollment students do not need to pay the fee.
- You can check your application status at My.GeorgiaSouthern.edu/admissions three days after completing your application. This page contains live information about your admission status, including a checklist of missing documents we need to make a decision.
Admission Requirements
The Georgia Southern University Office of Undergraduate Admissions oversees the application process for undergraduate students. During the admission process, ALL students interested in the special education program must declare the Special Education B.S.Ed. Professional Studies (Non Certification Track) as their intended major. When accepted to the university, ALL undergraduate education majors are admitted into the Special Education B.S.Ed. Professional Studies (Non Certification Track) program. For university admission information, please visit the Georgia Southern University Admissions website.
At the completion of all courses, through area F in the program of study, students seeking initial teacher certification would then apply to the Teacher Education Program. (See admission requirements for admission into the Teacher Education Program). If accepted into the Teacher Education Program, the student would move into the Special Education B.S.Ed. Certification Track program. Those students who are NOT seeking initial teacher certification would complete the remainder of the program requirements for the Special Education B.S.Ed. Professional Studies (Non-Certification Track) program.
Apply as a First-Year Student Transfer to Georgia Southern- Student Learning Outcome 1 (Content Knowledge):
By the end of their program, graduates of the BSED in Special Education will demonstrate in-depth content knowledge (planning the learning environment and social interactions; instruction; development and characteristics of learners; assessment; and foundations and professional responsibilities) in Special Education with a professional level score (± 250) on the GACE® Special Education Content Assessments (81/82).
- Student Learning Outcome 2 (Learner and Learning):
Prior to entering final internship, candidates will earn at least a Level II – developing rating in the areas of learner development, learning differences, learning environments, and academic language on the Learner and Learning rubric.
- Student Learning Outcome 3 (Instruction):
At the conclusion of student teaching, graduates of the BSED in Special Education will have demonstrated the effective use of evidence-based practices and classroom management strategies to plan and deliver instruction as evidenced by achieving a mean score of Level II (developing) on Intern Keys across all rubric criteria (professional knowledge, instructional planning, instructional planning, instructional strategies, differentiated instruction, assessment strategies, assessment uses, positive learning environment, academically challenging environment, professionalism, and communication).
- Student Learning Outcome 4 (Assessment):
At the conclusion of student teaching, candidates will have assessed and analyzed student learning, used data to design and make adjustments to instruction, monitored student learning, provided feedback to students, and guided students in using feedback to continue learning at the proficient level or higher as evidenced by a score of Level II on Intern Keys Standards 5 & 6 (assessment strategies and assessment uses).
- Student Learning Outcome 5 (Professional Dispositions):
By the conclusion of student teaching, the candidate will have demonstrated the professional dispositions expected of educators as evidenced by an average score of “meets or exceeds expectations” (at least Level II) on the COE Professional Dispositions Rubric as rated by the University and the clinical supervisor.
The College of Education anticipates that graduates will seek initial certification in the following programs: BSEd-Special Education. The certification track leads to a Georgia Certificate only. Visit the website for more information from the Georgia Professional Standards Commission.
The College of Education anticipates that graduates will seek initial certification in the following programs: BSEd-Special Education.
All programs meet the educational requirements for a teaching certificate in Georgia. The BSEd-SPED program meets the requirements for certification in CT, FL, HI, ID, KY, LA, NH, NM, NC, ND, PA, UT, VT, VA and WA only. Unless listed above, Georgia Southern’s program does NOT meet educational requirements for certification in that state. Online students wishing to enroll in a program that does not meet requirements in their state of residence will be required to sign an attestation that indicates that they will seek GA licensure. Out-of-state students living in GA do not have to complete an attestation but may need to meet additional requirements in their home state after graduation.
Georgia Southern makes every effort to ensure information about educational requirements for licensure or certification is current; however, state requirements may change. Separate from educational requirements, state licensure boards may require applicants to complete professional examinations, background checks, years of professional experience, residence requirements, jurisprudence exams, training, etc. For more information, as well as for a list of applicable state boards, visit the Georgia Southern State Authorization and Professional Licensure Webpage.
For all Online Programs:
Federal Law requires colleges and universities to make certain disclosures to prospective students of these programs. These disclosures include information on the University’s authority to operate outside of Georgia, the complaint processes, adverse actions, refunds, and program closure. For required disclosures about online programs offered by the University, visit the Georgia Southern State Authorization and Professional Licensure Webpage.
The BSED degree with a major in Special Education-Professional Studies (Non-Certification Track) provides students who are interested in education the opportunity to take coursework with planned minors and concentrations. The degree allows for choice in several areas leading to a broad background. This track does NOT lead to teacher certification and is offered on the Statesboro Campus.
During the admission process, ALL students interested in either the non-certification or certification program must declare the Special Education Professional Studies (Non-Certification) track as their intended major. Upon meeting teacher education program admission requirements, those seeking teacher certification in Special Education will move into the Special Education B.S.Ed. Certification Track.
All B.S.Ed. Special Education majors are assigned to a professional advisor in the College of Education (COE) Advisement Center for program planning and course scheduling. Undergraduate students are advised each term by appointment. Please visit the COE Advisement Center web page for a list of program advisors. Telephone: 912-478-0698.
The College of Education offers several scholarship opportunities to undergraduates (and beyond). Explore the list to see if you qualify.
Related Programs
Take the Next Step
Make a meaningful difference for children who need it the most. Learn more about the bachelor’s in special education certification track at Georgia Southern.
Contact Us
Program Director
Dr. Cynthia Massey
Phone: 912.478.5042
Email: cynthiamassey@georgiasouthern.edu
Department of Elementary and Special Education
P.O. Box 8134
Statesboro, GA 30460