Special Education (BSEd)

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Bachelor of Science in Education – Special Education (120 credits)

The undergraduate major in Special Education prepares students for teacher licensure in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Students who successfully complete all requirements for this state-approved licensure programs are eligible for endorsement in special education – general curriculum, grades K-12.

During the teacher education program, students learn effective strategies for teaching diverse learners while practicing those strategies in K-12 classrooms. Experiential learning is a key component of the major. Teacher education majors engage in a range of clinical experiences that reflect the diverse contexts for which they will be prepared to teach.

Residency Requirement (60 credits)

A recipient of a B.S.Ed. degree from the Curry School must complete at least 60 of the 120 credits required for graduation at the University of Virginia.

Grade Point Average (GPA) Requirement

Students must earn a minimum GPA of 2.0 on all courses attempted at the University.

Minimum Grade Requirement

Students must earn a minimum grade of C+ in all courses required for the major. Students earning a grade below a C+ will be required to retake the course or its equivalent. Students must pass all credit/no credit clinical experiences to be eligible for licensure in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

General Education Requirements

See the section School of Education and Human Development: Academic Rules, Regulations, and Information : General Education Requirements for more details.

Competency Requirements (12 credits)

First Writing Requirement, 3 credits
Second Writing Requirement, 3 credits
Cultural Literacy, 3 credits (choose one)
- EDIS 3060 - Poverty and the Young Child: Understanding Impacts in the US
- EDLF 3240 - Education in Multicultural Societies
- EDLF 3460 - Race and Identity in Youth Development
- EDLF 3610 - Immigrant Youth and Families
- EDLF 4610 - Civil Rights Movement and Education
- College Non-western perspective or study abroad also meet this requirement
Data Literacy/Stats (2000 level or above), 3 credits

Area Requirements (24 credits)

Mathematics and Natural Science, 9 credits
- 3 credits of mathematics
- 6 credits of natural science; courses must be from two different departments
Humanities, 6 credits
Social Sciences, 9 credits
- 3 credits of United States history
- 3 credits of child development
- 3 additional credits of social science

Major Requirements

Major Core (18 credits)

Special Education Major Coursework (10 credits)

EDIS XXXX: Reading and Writing Instruction for Special Education
EDIS XXXX: Mathematics Instruction for Special Education
EDIS XXXX: IEP and Transition Planning
EDIS XXXX: Instruction and Collaboration in Special Education

Clinical Experiences and Seminars (28 credits)

EDIS 3887: Field Experience – Special Education (2 credits, students take twice)
EDIS XXXX: Clinical Experience – Special Education (6 credits)
EDIS XXXX: Content Area Seminar – Special Education (3 credits)
EDIS 4887: Teaching Internship – Special Education (12 credits)
EDIS XXXX: Internship Seminar – Special Education (3 credits)

Special Education Major GPA

Minimum 2.3 required.

The major GPA is calculated using all GPA-eligible courses used to satisfy major required courses.

General Electives

Choose courses from across the University to reach 120 credits.

Public Professional Licensure Disclosure

As a member of the State Authorizations Reciprocity Agreement, the University of Virginia (UVA) is authorized to provide curriculum in a distance learning environment to students located in all states in the United States except for California. (34 CFR 668.43(a)(6)& 34 CFR 668.72(n)).

Upon completion of the Bachelor of Science in Special Education at the UVA School of Education and Human Development, graduates may be eligible for initial professional licensure in another U.S. state by applying to the licensing board or agency in that state.

Please visit the University’s state authorization web pages to make an informed decision regarding which states’ educational requirements for initial licensure are met by this program. (668.43(a)(5) (v)(A) - (C))

Enrolled students who change their current (or mailing) address to a state other than Virginia should update this information immediately in the Student Information System as it may impact their ability to complete internship, practicum, or clinical hours, use Title IV funds, or meet licensure or certification requirements in the new state. (34 CFR 668.402).