Special Education Degree Completion Program
Earn your degree in Special Education at BSU either fully online or by taking courses at night. Students can also mix both night and online courses to earn their degree.
Students pursuing their bachelor’s degree through BSU’s College of Continuing Studies attend part-time but enjoy all the benefits of an undergraduate student. Special Education courses are delivered over a three-year period. Participants in the program will be required to student teach during the regular school day.
BSU Special Education program
BSU’s Special Education Department prepares its students to provide a meaningful, positive impact on the lives of populations that are often overlooked. Students are trained for careers as teachers of individuals with moderate to severe special needs, providing a meaningful, positive impact on the lives of often overlooked populations.
Drawing on BSU’s long history of producing exemplary teachers, our faculty members work to help Special Education teacher candidates learn current, evidence-based practices and develop the skills required to succeed in this rewarding and in-demand field. Our licensure programs are recognized by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and CAEP/CEC (Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation and the Council for Exceptional Children) and have been acknowledged as exemplary by Teachers.org (2016), while the department was ranked one of the 10 best colleges for Special Education 2017-2018 by Schools.com.
Special Education Degree Programs
Special Education, Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities (PreK-8 or Grades 5-12) concentration, BSE
Special Education, Teacher of Students with Severe Disabilities (All Levels) concentration, BSE
A double major is no longer required for those enrolled in the Moderate PreK-8 and Severe All Levels programs. A double major is still required for Moderate 5-12.
Students in this program will be required to complete fieldwork and student teaching during
day hours. The student-teaching practicum is an in-person face-to-face experience in a public school setting. See BSU Catalog for requirements.
Program requirements
Prior to the student being admitted to the BSE in Special Education, the student must:
- Complete an appropriate developmental psychology course or SPED 208
- have taken SPED 202 Introduction to Special Education with a B-
- have passed the Communication and Literacy MTEL®
Prior to the student practicum experience (student teaching), students must:
Complete all Licensure Courses in Special Education
have passed the General Curriculum and Math subtest MTEL®
have passed the Foundations of Reading MTEL®
Note: Students in the Severe All Levels program will complete only the General Curriculum and Math subtest MTEL®
Participants in the program may be able to complete an Employment-Based Practicum, which consists of 8 weeks instead of 16 weeks.
Paraprofessional Teacher Preparation Grant Program
For students who are currently working as a paraprofessional in a Massachusetts public school, there is an opportunity to participate in a Massachusetts grant program that will fund up to $6,000 per year towards your bachelor's degree. Learn more+
Admissions, Financial Aid & Cost
Learn about Continuing Studies Admissions, Financial Aid and the cost to attend on our Continuing Studies Admissions webpage. More+
Continuing Studies provides a streamlined application that takes minutes to complete. For Admissions information, visit our Continuing Studies Admissions webpage.
Students who enroll in BSU's Night and Online Degree programs are eligible to participate in financial aid programs.
