Program: Special Education (BSEd) - University of Virginia

Apr 03, 2025

Undergraduate Record 2024-2025

Return to: School of Education and Human Development: Degree Programs

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 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. Students 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 School of Education and Human Development 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)
- EDHS 4310 - Exploring Linguistic Diversity
- EDIS 3017 - Black Education: Theories, PreK-12 Pedagogy and Practice
- 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, Cultures and Societies of the Word, or study abroad also meet this requirement
Data Literacy/Statistics, 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 or United States government
- 3 credits of world history
- 3 credits of child development

Major Requirements

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.

Degree Requirements for Teacher Licensure

Details about requirements for the degree and licensure can be found on the Teacher Education website. Requirements are subject to change as state regulations are revised. The Teacher Education office will communicate these changes to students.

Eligibility for Licensure

Students must complete all course, clinical, and licensure requirements to complete the Teacher Education program and to be eligible for licensure.

A student may choose not to pursue licensure. Students may also be placed on the non-licensure track if their program performance precludes them from successfully completing the program’s clinical experience requirements. If the student is on the non-licensure track, the following policies will be in effect:

Students must sign a form acknowledging that in not pursuing student teaching, they will not be eligible for licensure.
Students will not be eligible to return to UVA to complete a standalone student teaching placement to finish the state-approved licensure program. UVA students must be enrolled in a full-time degree program to complete student teaching and cannot return later to complete that requirement on its own.
Students will graduate with a degree in Special Education. However, they will be given an “ineligible for licensure” designation in SIS. If students return to the university seeking a licensure verification form, the university will not be able to sign this form.
Students will need to complete the 120 credits required for the degree. The 120 credits must include all major coursework and general studies requirements. The following requirements will be adjusted:
- Licensure requirements (exams and statutory requirements) will be waived.
- Internships (EDIS 4867 and EDIS 4887) will be waived.
- Students may not take the student teaching seminar (EDIS 4877) and will be required to choose a substitute course approved by the Director of Teacher Education.

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).

Special Education (BSEd)