Special Education Degree Graduation Requirements

<p>There are several <a href="https://learn.org/articles/Special_Education_Licensure_and_Course_Requirements_FAQs.html">special education licensure and course requirements</a> that you'll need to fulfill to graduate with a special education degree. While every program is different, most set the basic general requirements, along with a <a href="https://learn.org/articles/special_education_curriculum.html">special education general curriculum</a>. We've explored these requirements below. </p> <h3 id="section---CreditHourRequirements">Credit Hour Requirements</h3> <p>The amount of credits you're required to earn depends largely on the level of degree you're earning. A bachelor's degree, which is typically the minimum degree you need to become a special education teacher, usually requires 120 credits. </p> <p>These 120 credits include general education courses, core major courses, and student teaching. Bachelor's degrees in special education usually take four years of full-time study. </p> <p>If you're earning a master's degree in special education, you can typically expect to take 30-40 credit hours. These programs focus solely on special education coursework and often include some type of final project or exam. </p> <h3 id="section---CoreCourseworkCompletion">Core Coursework Completion</h3> <p>Core coursework refers to the courses within your program focusing specifically on the major. The specific courses you take will depend on your program, but these courses often cover topics like: </p> <ul><li>assessment </li><li>assistive technology </li><li>behavioral interventions and strategies </li><li>classroom management </li><li>individualized education programs or plans (IEPs) </li><li>lesson planning </li></ul><p>After you complete your general education and core major courses and factor in your student teaching, you might not have enough credits to meet the 120-credit requirement. In this case, you will take relevant electives to meet that requirement. </p> <h3 id="section---FieldworkAndPracticumExperience">Fieldwork and Practicum Experience</h3> <p>Special education degree programs that lead to state licensure will also include fieldwork experience. You will typically complete this experience, also called student teaching, toward the end of your degree program. </p> <p>While student teaching, you'll be working with special needs learners and leading a special education classroom under the guidance of an experienced special education teacher. This gives you hands-on classroom experience, where you'll perform day-to-day tasks, like creating inclusive lesson plans and working with IEP teams. </p> <p>The student teaching portion of the program usually lasts several weeks and sometimes an entire semester. If you're earning your degree online, you'll still need to do the student teaching in person. </p> <h3 id="section---MinimumGPARequirement">Minimum GPA Requirement</h3> <p>Many special education degree programs have a minimum GPA requirement that you'll need to meet to graduate. This ensures that students graduate with a proven understanding of the foundations of special education. </p> <p>The specific GPA you need will depend on your school. A GPA of 2.0 is usually the minimum, but many schools set higher GPA requirements. </p> <h3 id="section---GraduateRequirements">Graduate Requirements</h3> <p>If you're earning a graduate degree, you'll have a slightly different set of requirements. Like a bachelor's degree program, you'll have coursework; but you don't have to take general education courses, and you may not need to fulfill student teaching requirements if you already hold a teaching license. </p> <p>Graduate special education programs often include concentrations or specializations, like autism spectrum disorder, early childhood education, and transition services. This allows students in these programs to focus on the type of special education services they want to provide. </p> <p>Instead of concluding with student teaching experience, your master's program may conclude with final exams or a final project. Some schools allow you to choose this option. </p> <h4 id="section---ComprehensiveExams">Comprehensive Exams</h4> <p>Comprehensive exams are final exams meant to cover everything you learned throughout your degree program. They confirm that you've retained all the information from your courses and are prepared to teach students with special needs and disabilities. </p> <h4 id="section---ThesisOrCapstoneProject">Thesis or Capstone Project</h4> <p>Thesis or capstone projects are much more common than comprehensive exams. These are research projects that you complete using the information you've learned in your program. </p> <p>Meet with your advisor to get your project approved. Every program will have unique parameters for its final project. </p> <h3 id="section---StateLicensureAndCertificationExams">State Licensure and Certification Exams</h3> <p>All states require teachers in public schools and charter schools to hold a state-issued teaching credential. As part of this process, you must take your state's teaching exams; but these exams vary between states. </p> <p>You'll often need to take a general teaching exam, which tests your ability to teach math, reading, and English language arts. You'll also need to take an exam for your specific subject area, which would be special education. </p> <p>Many states use the Praxis teaching exams, but there are plenty of states that have their own teaching exams. Check with your state board of education to find out what exams you must take and what else you need to do to earn your teaching credential. </p> <h3 id="section---ProfessionalDevelopmentAndAdditionalCertifications">Professional Development and Additional Certifications</h3> <p>To keep your teaching license up-to-date, most school districts and states require you to complete professional development every renewal period. This professional development may include courses, conferences, or earning certifications. </p> <p>Certifications aren't usually a requirement, but they can help you move your career forward. A professional certification can make it easier to get a job, while a certification in a specific field of special education will increase your knowledge in that subject area. </p> <h2 id="section---FAQsAboutSpecialEducationDegreeRequirements">FAQs About Special Education Degree Requirements</h2> <p>Below, we've answered frequently asked questions about special education degree requirements. </p> <h3 id="section---WhatHappensIfIDonTMeetTheMinimumGPARequirement">What Happens if I Don't Meet the Minimum GPA Requirement?</h3> <p>If you don't meet the minimum GPA requirement for graduation, you may need to retake courses that are bringing down your GPA or add courses that can bring up your GPA. If you are concerned you may not meet the GPA requirements, speak with your advisor to determine the best solution. </p> <h3 id="section---AreThereStateSpecificRequirementsForGraduation">Are There State-Specific Requirements for Graduation?</h3> <p>State laws vary, and there may even be different graduation requirements for teaching elementary special education versus secondary school special education. Generally, if your program is a state-approved teacher preparation program, it will already meet all state requirements. </p> <p>If you're concerned, contact your program advisor or check with your state board of education. </p> <h3 id="section---CanIEarnMySpecialEducationDegreeOnlineAndStillMeetTheGraduationRequirements">Can I Earn My Special Education Degree Online and Still Meet the Graduation Requirements?</h3> <p>Several online special education degrees allow you to graduate and proceed to earn your teaching license. However, there are a few things to consider. </p> <p>First, if your program requires student teaching, you must complete this in person. Additionally, if you're earning an online degree through a college in another state, that program may meet that state's requirements but may not fulfill requirements in other states. </p> <p>For example, if you live in California but earn an online teaching degree through a college in Arizona, you may meet Arizona's certification requirements but not the requirements for California. </p> <h2 id="section---EarnYourDegreeInSpecialEducation">Earn Your Degree in Special Education</h2> <p>Start your journey toward a rewarding career in special education by discovering the degree programs listed on Learn.org. Contact a college directly to learn more about their special education program's graduation requirements.</p>