Best Special Education Degrees

The School of Education at Indiana University offers two undergraduate programs for students interested in special education. The B.S.E.D. in elementary education and elementary special education provides students with a dual licensure. Furthermore, students gain valuable field experience in urban environments. Most students earn this degree within four years, which requires 124 credits. Indiana University also offers a B.S.E.D. in secondary special education, which includes exceptional needs from early to late adolescence. This degree allows students to choose English, math, or science as a content area specialty. Students who choose this path earn their degree in four years and must complete 120 credit hours.

At Clemson University, students who want to learn how to become highly qualified special education professionals can earn their bachelor of arts in special education. This program exceeds the minimum state requirements for field experience that lead to licensure. In fact, unlike other schools, Clemson students participate in field experiences from the beginning of the program. At the end of the program, students engage in a culminating, two-semester field training in addition to their 12-week student teaching placement. Full-time students can earn their degree in four years. This program includes 123 semester hours.

The College of New Jersey boasts their two special education programs that allow students to earn both their bachelor’s and master’s degree in just five years. Students interested in working with young children can enroll into the early childhood special education program, which prepares students to serve children from preschool through third grade. Students who would like to work with older children can earn the special education and elementary education degree, which leads to certification in both fields. The five-year programs also require students to complete a liberal arts major.

Pennsylvania State University, also warmly referred to as Penn State, offers one of the best on-campus special education degrees available. This degree strives to shape highly qualified educators who can handle daily responsibilities encountered by working with special needs populations. Therefore students must acquire 80 hours of experience with children who have varying levels of disability. Penn State provides multiple volunteer opportunities. Furthermore, each student gets assigned an SPLED advisor who collaborates with college advisors to guide students through the program. This four-year bachelor of science in special education degree requires 121 credits to graduate.

The Department of Special Education at the University of Utah strives to provide students with cutting-edge research and pertinent skills to meet the needs of people living with disabilities. Therefore students can earn a bachelor of science in special education specializing in mild to moderate disabilities, severe disabilities, preschool to early intervention special education, visual impairments, or deaf and hard of hearing. Students should examine course options as some specialization areas offer multiple tracks. These programs includes 135-144 credit hours and students enrolled full-time earn their degree within four years.

The University of Arizona strives to offer students a quality education by challenging the status quo and exploring innovative approaches. In particular, the special education program at the University of Arizona retains a national reputation for excellence. Students can earn a bachelor of science in special education and rehabilitation with a specialization in the mild to moderate disabilities teacher preparation program, deaf studies and educational interpreting, or general rehabilitation. Specializations vary in length and may offer emphasis areas. However, all specializations require one or more field experiences and lead to licensure.

The special education program at the State University of New York (SUNY) Geneseo campus boasts their B.S. in childhood with special education degree. This four-year program certifies graduates to work with students in first grade through sixth grade. Additionally, students can concentrate in a liberal arts discipline or enroll into their liberal arts discipline of choice as a dual major. All students must engage in a minimum 150 of field experience prior to student teaching. SUNY Geneseo offers abroad opportunities that can count toward mandatory field hours.

Boston University offers some of the best on-campus special education degrees available. Students gain access to cutting edge research and innovative approaches for curriculum implementation. This program requires field experience hours and potentially a culminating student teaching experience depending on the license chosen. Successful completion of this program allows graduates to obtain a teacher of students with moderate disabilities license, teacher of students with moderate disabilities combined with elementary education license, teacher of students with moderate disabilities license, or teacher of severe disabilities license. Most student earn this degree in about four years if enrolled full-time. Program credit requirements range from 129-135.

Students who wish to advocate for individuals with disabilities should consider a bachelor of arts in special education at Augustana University, located in Minneapolis. Students may choose to double major in special education and elementary education or secondary education. To qualify for graduation, students must have at least 124 credit hours. While most students complete this program in four years, students considering minors should factor in an additional 14 credit hours on average. This degree also includes student teaching experiences that focus on emotional and behavioral problems, cognitive impairments, and learning disabilities.

At Bradley University, students with an affinity for equal education and differentiation in classrooms can earn a bachelor’s in special education. This degree leads to a license that qualifies graduates to teach students from birth to 21 years of age in Illinois. Unlike some programs, students at Bradley University engage in field experiences in their first year. By the end of this program, students should have over 600 hours of field experience, which surpasses the state minimum. Students can also earn endorsements to gain an additional competitive advantage in the job market. In fact, unlike any other university in Illinois, Bradley University offers an endorsement in ESL.

At the Cortland campus of the State University of New York (SUNY) students can earn a bachelor of science in inclusive childhood education. As a dual degree, graduate can teach elementary classrooms and students with disabilities. Students can concentrate in humanities, English language arts, mathematics, social sciences, or environmental studies. If the available concentrations do not fit students’ career goals, students may complete a 30-hour second major. SUNY Cortland also offers an inclusive early childhood education degree. Students may choose from an environmental studies, humanities, or social science concentration. Both degrees require 126 credit hours to graduate.

Located in New York, Syracuse University offers a four-year B.S. in inclusive elementary and special education. This degree leads to a dual teacher certification in elementary education grades 1-6 and special education grades 1-6. Due to small class sizes, students benefit from close relationships with faculty members. Additionally, the program follows a cohort format, which allows students to collaborate and develop meaningful relationships. Throughout the six semesters, students engage in relevant field experiences that prepare them for real-world situations. Syracuse University also provides opportunities for students to study abroad and participate in research studies. This program requires a minimum of 133 credits to graduate.

At Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, students who desire to advocate for students with disabilities can earn a bachelor of science in inclusive special education. This inclusive special education degree leads to licensure for students with mild to moderate disabilities in Ohio. Most students enrolled full-time earn their degree in four years, which includes a student teaching field experience. However, students who enroll into minors may need to recalculate graduation timelines. Miami University in Oxford also recognizes the growing need for quality special education professionals. Therefore, special education students qualify for multiple scholarships to offset costs, making this degree a great return on investment.