May 18, 2026

2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog

Special Education (BSEd)

Bachelor of Science in Education, Special Education (Certifiable, dual pathway)

The curriculum for special education leads to the degree of Bachelor of Science in Education and carries with it initial professional certificate (IPC) to teach in one of the chosen pathways upon meeting all Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) certification requirements.

Pathway one, Special Education Cross-Categorical, leads to certification in K-12 Special Education, Mild/Moderate Cross-Categorical.

Pathway two, Special Education Blindness and Low Vision, leads to certification in birth -12th grade Blind and Low Vision.

Admission and retention requirements

The School of Special Education, Leadership and Professional Studies reserves the right to refuse enrollment or program continuation to any student for whom the special education faculty feel does not possess the ability to successfully complete the required classes and/or required practica.

All special education undergraduate students and post baccalaureate students seeking special education certification are expected to display professional behaviors and dispositions consistent with the National Council for Exceptional Children’s Code of Ethics for Educators of Persons with Exceptionalities. Periodic structured assessments of professional behaviors and dispositions will be completed on all students during selected classes and will also be completed in additional classes on an as needed basis. If a student does not display the required professional behaviors and dispositions as determined by the special education faculty and the school director of Special Education, Leadership and Professional Studies, the student may be dismissed from the program or may be prevented from taking additional special education certification classes.

Degree requirements

In order to meet Missouri state teacher certification requirements, candidates for the Bachelor of Science in Education degree are required to meet the following grade point average requirements for degree completion. All major GPA requirements are a combination of Missouri State and transfer grades included in description of Professional Education coursework.

Major GPA of 3.00 or higher.
A Professional Education GPA of 3.00 or higher is required by DESE.
A grade of “B-” or better in all Professional Education courses.

All students must be admitted to Teacher Education and have successfully completed Supervised Teaching in order to earn this degree. Refer to Teacher Education and Teacher Certification Requirements for application procedures and Teacher Education requirements.

Program requirements

The following specific courses are required for the major and/or certification. These requirements must be met with a grade of “C-” or better, unless stated otherwise.

Specific courses required for major and/or certification:

May be used to satisfy General Education Requirements:

Focus on Written Communication and Information Literacy:

One course from:

Focus on Written Communication and Integrative and Applied Learning:

Completion of general education requirement with a grade of “C” or better.

ENG 210 - Writing II: Writing Across the Disciplines

Focus on Quantitative Literacy:

Completion of general education requirement with a grade of “C” or better.

MTH 130 - Contemporary Mathematics recommended.

Focus on Social and Behavioral Sciences:

Focus on Constitution of U.S. and Missouri and American History and Institutions:

Focus on Public Issues:

EDC 249 - Schooling in America

Degree Requirements for Teacher Certification

Mathematics:

Students in both pathways will complete the following mathematics teaching course.

MTH 320 - Foundations of Mathematics for Teachers

Professional Education

Note: A grade of “B-” or better in each course is required for program approval of coursework toward degree and certification.

Foundations of Teaching:

Students in both pathways will complete the following foundations of teaching courses.

Teaching Methods:

Students in both pathways will complete the following core teaching methods courses.

Field and Clinical Experiences:

Students in both pathways will complete the following field experiences. Additional field experiences will be provided within both certification pathways.

Pathway One: K-12 Mild/Moderate, Cross-Categorical Certification

In addition to the previous required core requirements, these courses are required for the BSED in Special Education Pathway One for K-12 Mild/Moderate Cross-Categorical certification. Additionally, students in Pathway One must select 9 credit hours of SPE elective courses to complete their BSED.

Pathway Two: Birth-12th grade Blind and Low-Vision Certification

In addition to the core requirements, these courses are required for the BSED in Special Education Pathways Two for Birth-12th grade Blind and Low-Vision Certification.

Public Affairs Capstone Experience will be fulfilled by completion of:

SPE 495 - Supervised Teaching-Special Education

Teacher Education Requirements:

This program also requires compliance with Teacher Education and Teacher Certification Requirements for eligibility to enroll in Professional Education courses; admission to and continuance in Teacher Education; approval for supervised teaching; and recommendation for certification.