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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- Duration4 years
- Cost per credit$718
- Credit hours120
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).

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
A 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
$718 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.
Learn MoreWhat 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.
It will not. The diploma is the same for all graduates, whether their program was completed online or on ground.
While the specifics of each program vary, the admissions process always starts by submitting your application for the program you want to attend. To complete your application file, you’ll need official transcripts, an online application and possibly other documents. Your admissions counselor will help guide you through this process.
Undergraduate students can transfer up to 90 credits to their program. If the student is pursuing their first graduate degree at Brenau, up to six semester hours of coursework taken at another regionally accredited institution of higher education may be appropriately transferred to Brenau as part of the planned program of study with approval from the department chair. If the student has a master’s degree, up to nine hours of graduate credit may transfer with departmental approval. Grading standards of the Brenau program into which the work is transferred will apply.
There are no application fees at Brenau University.
Absolutely! Online programs at Brenau are explicitly designed with busy working professionals in mind, including those with personal and professional responsibilities. The format provides the flexibility you need to succeed in your selected program. From here, you can.
You can start the FAFSA® form here. Brenau’s FAFSA® code is 001556.
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