Special Education, BAE
Deepen your understanding of human diversity, sharpen problem-solving skills and strengthen communication with families to build inclusive classrooms for students with mild and moderate disabilities.
Quick facts
Locations
Courses
Additional facts
STEM-OPT extension eligible: No
International students (F1), this program is not eligible for the STEM-OPT extension.
Accreditation and professional licensure
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
The online option is not available to students who reside outside the U.S.
Degree description
Special Education, BAE degree description
Special educator are curious about how people learn and develop throughout their lifespan. As a special educator, you can make a difference in the lives of children and families. A special education degree with mild/moderate teacher certification prepares you to understand human diversity, communicate effectively and develop problem-solving skills that support your success and that of others.
The Bachelor of Arts in Education program in special education prepares you to work with students with disabilities in inclusive settings. You learn to use evidence-based practices that promote students' success with general education content, including high-leverage practices in literacy and math. You develop adaptive techniques for students with disabilities and learn to use instructional and assistive technologies to facilitate success.
You participate in professional experiences designed to expose you to numerous ways of teaching and learning. Internships and student teaching are embedded during sophomore, junior and senior years to provide you with multiple opportunities to work directly with children and youth.
Upon graduation, you will be eligible for the Standard Professional Mild/Moderate Disabilities Special Education Certificate - Grades K-12. If you want to teach in a public school in Arizona, you must pass the appropriate Arizona educator exams: National Evaluation Series or Arizona Educator Proficiency Assessments.
Why study special education at ASU?
At Mary Lou Fulton College for Teaching and Learning Innovation, you'll find both undergraduate and graduate options designed to guide you toward teacher certification and a rewarding career in the classroom. Whether you're balancing a full-time job or studying full time, MLFC delivers accessible certification programs that meet you when and where you need them.
Additional details
At Mary Lou Fulton College for Teaching and Learning Innovation, you become part of a community within a community. You can join all the traditions and tap into the full range of resources ASU offers, while also connecting with a close-knit MLFC network of peers who share your passions and professional interests.
Getting involved is easy, with options spanning community service, cultural and heritage events, fraternity and sorority life, intramural sports and fitness, Sun Devil traditions, Changemaker Central and much more. There truly is a place for every student at MLFC.
Courses
Explore a sample list of courses you may take in this program.
| Sample courses |
|---|
| TEL 310 Instructional Design and Planning: Instructional Thought and Action |
| TEL 317 Instructional Thought and Action: Learning Environment and Management |
| TEL 318 Instructional Thought and Action: Assessment for Learning |
| TEL 331 Foundations of Literacy: The Science of Reading |
| TEL 340 Families, Communities and Cultures: Cultivating Networks of Culturally Responsive Relationships |
| TEL 370 Professional Educator Series: Building a Professional Network |
Course checksheet and curriculum archive
The curriculum checksheet displays this program's required courses and other requirements you must complete for graduation.
Current ASU students, see how your courses can apply to another major and find out how to change your major (opens in new window).
Already completed some college courses? Build on your success.
If you earned college credit outside ASU, our transfer tools map out your progress towards a degree and help you plan next steps.
See how your credits may apply (opens in new window)What you'll learn
The following learning outcomes highlight some of the knowledge and skills you'll develop to support your future success.
- Execute an instructional cycle using research-based pedagogical practices and theories appropriate for a range of learners
- Create learning experiences that address the content disciplines to engage learners in accessible, relevant, and meaningful content to ensure critical thinking and mastery of the content.
- Create and maintain inclusive, equitable learning environments that support individual and collaborative learning experiences, utilize high leverage practices, and foster critical thinking, active engagement,and well-being for all learners
- Use multiple methods of assessment and sources of data to evaluate various aspects of learners
- Apply strategies for teaming to meet students’ needs
- Evaluate and recommend appropriate strategies to promote habits of mind
- Build and implement a professional growth plan using evidence and reflective practices
- Advocate for students, families, and communities with an understanding of the historical, social, local, or global context
- Self-reflect and assess personal contributions for shaping and supporting the mission of a school/organization's culture
- Apply expectations of the profession
- Analyze key ethical issues present in a prominent social or cultural problem in education, including the ways different ethical perspectives influence decision making related to the issue
- Analyze and acknowledge the local/cultural context, personal histories, and experiences relevant to problem(s) of practice
- Engage in cycles of inquiry in collaborative educational systems to imagine new concepts, catalyze ideas, and form new solutions, guided by principles and research that create positive change for learners
- Evaluate competing perspectives on a problem of practice within an educational context and present a reasoned analysis of the issue informed by major theories and evidence-based practices
- Implement an applied project, synthesize the findings and defend the significance and implications of the study as relevant to local, social and/or global contexts
Execute an instructional cycle using research-based pedagogical practices and theories appropriate for a range of learnersAdmission requirements
Here are the admission and application details
All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
First year (opens in new window) | Transfer (opens in new window) | International (opens in new window) | Readmission (opens in new window)
A current ASU student has no additional requirements for changing majors.
Students should visit the Change of Major form (opens in new window) for information about how to change a major to this program.
Explore expanded study opportunities
This program allows you to obtain both a bachelor's and a master's degree in as little as five years. As a high-achieving student, accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree programs are designed for you to share undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework to accelerate completion of your master's degree. These programs feature the same high-quality curriculum taught by ASU's world-renowned faculty.
This program is offered as an accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree with:
Approval to pursue the accelerated master's is typically granted during the junior year of your bachelor's degree program. If you are interested, you can learn more about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
When you pursue concurrent degrees (also known as a “double major”), you earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. Working with your academic advisor, you can create your own concurrent degree combination. Some combinations are not possible due to high levels of overlap in curriculum.
Because of climate change, geopolitical instability or economic factors, the United Nations and other institutions predict that migration will increase globally for the foreseeable future. Learners will migrate to new communities. Increasingly, educators will be asked to meet the needs of students who speak languages other than English and who bring a variety of cultures into classrooms and learning environments. Education students who participate in study abroad programs can prepare for this reality. By engaging in Global Education programs, students can expand their notion of normal schooling and deepen their understanding of how to foster inclusive and inspiring learning environments.
Paying for college
Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students receive financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Get an estimate
Build the career and future you want
Our graduates are prepared for a variety of career paths, including:
| Career | Growth | Median Salary | More Information |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Professor | 5.9% | $99,080 | Learn more |
| Education Professor | 2.5% | $75,350 | Learn more |
| Elementary Special Education Teacher | -0.4% | $65,120 | Learn more |
| High School Special Education Teacher | -0.2% | $74,260 | Learn more |
| Instructional Specialist | 1.6% | $77,440 | Learn more |
| Kindergarten Special Education Teacher | -0.4% | $65,120 | Learn more |
| Middle School Special Education Teacher | -0.4% | $66,810 | Learn more |
| School Principal | -0.3% | $105,870 | Learn more |
| Social Services Director | 7.2% | $80,390 | Learn more |
| Special Education Generalist | 1.9% | $76,580 | Learn more |
Example job titles and salaries listed are not necessarily entry level, and students should take into consideration how years of experience and geographical location may affect pay scales. Some jobs also may require advanced degrees, certifications or state-specific licensure.
Data obtained from the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) under sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA).
More about careers
Careers this special education degree prepares you for
The BAE program in special education leads to teacher certification to support a critical market demand for special education teachers in Arizona and beyond. Graduates are poised to find employment in any career that supports learners with disabilities; common settings include community- and youth-serving organizations, higher education institutions and health-related organizations.
Contact information
Use the contact information below to get in touch if you're a current student or have general questions.
Prospective students should fill out the Request for Information form.
Division for Advancing Educator Preparation
|
ED 102
ASUeducation@asu.edu
480-965-9995
Frequently asked questions about degree programs
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
