Online Bachelor of Science in Special Education
Educate and inspire students who have learning differences
Fully online
Supportive faculty
Small class sizes
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- Duration 4 years
- Cost per credit $773
- Credit hours 120
Program Benefits
- Transfer-friendly
- No application fee
- Test scores are not required
- Six start dates per year
- Financial aid available
Prepare for a fulfilling career helping students succeed
Are you passionate about teaching and helping all students realize their full potential? From here, you can.
In Brenau’s online special education bachelor’s degree, you will learn to plan, implement and evaluate successful lesson plans for students with mild disabilities from pre-K through high school. This program also prepares you for certification from the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC).
The BS in Special Education program is also available on campus.
Follow your passion for special education
With your online bachelor’s degree in special education, you can pursue rewarding careers that help foster inclusive environments for students with learning differences, such as:
- Teacher for students in preschool through 12th grade who have mild disabilities
- Special education consultant or resource person
- Education materials developer
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that overall employment in education occupations will grow 7% from 2021 to 2031,1 and the demand for special education teachers will grow 4% during that time frame.2
Career OutlookA comprehensive special education major
13 core courses
120 total credit hours
In addition to a foundation of core coursework, you will choose a concentration in language arts, math, reading, science or social studies. The degree in special education also includes field experience and student teaching.
Course spotlights:
- SE 407 Tests & Measurements for Exceptional Children
- SE 410 Learners with Mild Disabilities
- SE 411 Methods and Materials of Mild Disabilities
It’s always a good time to apply
Up to 90 transfer credit hours accepted
No application fee
The online bachelor’s degree in special education offers six start dates per year, so you can apply anytime and start your education as soon as possible. With no application fee, you can apply risk-free.
To apply to Brenau’s online BS in Special Education, you’ll need:
| High school diploma or GED if no college experience or less than 30 semester hours of college experience |
| Official transcripts for all previously attended undergraduate institutions |
We strive to make your education affordable
$773 per credit hour
Financial aid available
By choosing Brenau, you’re investing in a degree that will set you on a path to a successful career. Along with affordable tuition, you can pursue federal financial aid to make your education even more cost-effective.
Tuition DetailsWhat you’ll learn
The coursework in the online special education degree program is highly relevant and taught by faculty who listen to the concerns and needs of teachers in practice. We continually update the curriculum to reflect today’s teaching environments.
Program outcomes
With Brenau’s online bachelor’s degree in special education, you can:
- Thrive in small classes, which allow you to work directly with faculty members who have experience working as public and private school teachers and administrators.
- Complete in-person field experiences and student teaching in a variety of settings.
- Pass the Georgia Assessments for the Certification of Educators (GACE) and earn certification from the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC) to teach pre-K through 12th grade.
About our dedicated, supportive faculty
Faculty members at Brenau are dedicated to helping you succeed. Most classes feature a small student-to-faculty ratio, so you can get to know your professors and their unique areas of expertise. As you broaden your professional network, you’ll have the mentorship and support of our faculty throughout your program.
Dr. Laura Cantu
Faculty Spotlight
Dr. Cantu agrees with the cultural-historical theories of Vygotsky and his Zone of Proximal Development, Jean Piaget’s emphasis on the importance of play in the learning process and John Dewey’s emphasis on the importance of experiential education both inside and outside the classroom. These philosophies and beliefs are important in the realm of teacher education. Dr. Cantu brings a unique, pragmatic perspective and philosophy to the arena of teacher education due to 35 years of successful classroom teaching, primarily to student populations with special needs.
Dr. Cantu develops and teaches courses at the bachelor’s, master’s, specialist, and doctoral levels. She serves the university as a member of the Institutional Review Board and the Campus Connections Committee. Dr. Cantu acts as chair and/or subject matter expert for dissertation committees for EdD students. She also represents the College of Education in an initiative to take faculty and students to Moultrie, Georgia, to work with the children of migrant farmworkers and assist in a multi-university health initiative for the migrant farmworkers, in conjunction with physical therapy and psychology students from Brenau University.
Online learning
At Brenau, you will learn in small classes, which gives you plenty of opportunities to ask questions and receive one-on-one support from your professors. With flexible scheduling and online delivery, we make education fit into your busy life. Our programs respond to the needs of today’s students, so you’ll receive the education you need to become a leader who makes a difference. From here, you can.
Discover Brenau OnlineFrequently asked questions
Explore our frequently asked questions for in-depth answers. If you don’t find what you’re looking for, reach out to us.
You can complete the program in four years, or sooner with transfer credit hours. To see the curriculum, view our courses page.
Tuition is $754 per credit hour. If you do not have previous credits to transfer, you must complete 120 credit hours with Brenau for an estimated tuition of $90,480. You can review all costs on our tuition page.
Yes, the online Bachelor of Science in Special Education accepts up to 90 transfer credit hours. You can learn more about our transfer credit policy on our admissions page.
The requirements for the online BS in Special Education include:
- A completed online application
- Minimum 2.5 high school GPA or a passing GED score for first-year students
- Minimum 2.0 cumulative college GPA for transfer students
- Official transcripts from each school you’ve attended
You can learn more about our requirements on our admissions page.
You’ll complete 120 credit hours to earn the online BS in Special Education. You can explore the courses page for further information. Total credit hours earned at Brenau University depend on the number of transfer credit hours you have (up to 90).
When you graduate and pass the GACE certification exam, you will be certified to teach special education in Georgia. Other states’ requirements will vary.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Education, Training, and Library Occupations.” Sept. 8, 2022. Retrieved Feb. 9, 2023, from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/home.htm
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Special Education Teachers.” Oct. 4, 2022. Retrieved Feb. 13, 2023, from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/special-education-teachers.htm