Special Education (BS)
Overview
Special education teachers prepare all students to learn, regardless of ability or other special needs. A special education degree prepares you to tackle some of the most pressing challenges in K-12 education today. Special education majors study all four major subjects: English, math, science, and social studies in addition to learning how to teach. They also develop techniques for teaching and assessing students with special needs, including gifted learners, in preparation for licensure.
BU’s Unique Program
Bluefield University provides a Christ-centered approach that prepares servant leaders to make a difference in the classroom. The School of Education faculty makes every effort to know you as a person. With their help, you’ll design creative lessons and learn how to reach challenged students. You will begin to complete valuable classroom observations early in your education courses to help prepare you for the student teaching semester.
Are you ready to learn how you can change lives with a special education degree? Complete our information request form today and schedule a campus visit.
Tuition: $410 Per Credit Hour
On-Campus Tuition & Fees
Next Start: July 2025 (Online)
Next Start: August 2025 (On-Campus)
Time to Complete: 1-4 years*
* Time to complete can be reduced with prior learning and transfer credits
Courses & Competencies
General Education Requirements
- Introduction to the Writing Process
- Fundamentals of Speech
- Biblical Perspectives
- Developing the Christian Mind
- Math/Science* (3 Credits)
- Fine Arts/Humanities* (6 Credits)
- Social/Behavioral Science* (3 Credits)
- Degree Requirements (BA or BS/BSN)* (6 Credits)
- Personal Wellness
- ESS Activity Course* (1 Credit)
- Career Pathways I & II (2 Credits)
- Career Pathways III & IV (2 Credits)
- Career Pathways V & VI (2 Credits)
* Course or requirement includes multiple options. Online offerings may differ.
Core Requirements
- Modern English Grammar
- History of the English Language
- Literature of Children & Adolescents
- Regional & Ethnic Literature
- US History
- History of Virginia
- Government (Choose 1)
- American Government & Politics
- State & Local Government
- History of American Government & Politics
- Principles of Macroeconomics
- Mathematics of Finance
- Intro to Statistics
- General Chemistry or Chemistry Culture
- Human Biology & Lab or Human Anatomy & Physiology & Lab
Professional Requirements
- Human Growth & Development for Educators
- Foundations of Education
- Intro to Instructional Media & Technology
- Reading & Language Arts
- Diagnostic & Remedial Reading
- Intro to the Exceptional Child
- Methods in Teaching PreK-6 Mathematics
- Assessment & Evaluation in Special Education
- Teaching Students with Disabilities for Success in the General Curriculum
- Collaboration & Transition for Students with Disabilities
Field Requirements
- Dynamic Learning Environments
- (Must be taken prior to Student Teaching)
- Student Teaching
- (Taken in the final semester)
Required Testing (2 Tests)
- Virginia Communication & Literacy Assessment
- Reading for Virginia Educators: Elementary & Special Education
For a full breakdown of each course, reference the undergraduate catalog located in Academic Resources.