Bachelor of Arts
Special Education (PK-12)
For mild to moderate disabilities
Leads to teacher licensure
Degree Overview
Our online teaching degree leading to special education certification will prepare you to fill a vital need in your community. The B.A. in Special Education (PK-12) teaches the content knowledge and effective teaching skills to become a special education instructor for students with mild to moderate disabilities. This degree is a cross-categorical model for initial certification. You’ll become a highly qualified educator prepared to make a difference with those who need it most. In some states, the program will lead to dual licensure in Elementary Education and Special Education.
Who the program is for:
- Individuals who need a bachelor’s degree and want to become a certified special education teacher.
- Unlicensed substitute teachers, career changers, retired military personnel, school paraprofessionals, and others who feel the call to teach.
Note: WGU is the only exclusively online teacher education institution in the nation to receive NCATE accreditation.
Your program will be flexible and largely self-paced.
Click here to learn how your program works.
What You’ll Learn -- Areas of Study:
In this online special education degree, you’ll learn all the essential skills and knowledge needed. This program includes four domains of study, supervised practice teaching in an actual classroom, and completion of a professional portfolio.
- Interdisciplinary Studies
- Foundations of Teaching
- Effective Teaching Practices (Special Education)
- Demonstration Teaching (includes practice teaching)
Total Program: 133 Competency Units (credit equivalents)
Less: Any competency units waived through transfer of prior college credits.
Note: Your prior college experience may waive some degree requirements.
More details about your challenging course of study
View the Program Guide (PDF)
Answers to your questions
Click a question, see the answer below.
- Will I practice teach?
- How will I complete my degree?
- Is financial aid available?
Will I practice teach?
Yes, all WGU teacher licensure programs include practice teaching in real classrooms. This is part of your Demonstration Teaching domain of study. This is obviously not an online portion of your degree program. Exactly how your practice teaching occurs will depend on the specific school district in which you teach. Speak to an Enrollment Counselor who can explain this in more detail.
How will I complete my degree?
As a WGU student, you take and complete assessments. You’ll prepare for your assessments by engaging various learning resources including textbooks, web tutorials, and courses. You will determine what learning resources are best for you in consultation with your mentor using your personalized Academic Action Plan (AAP). You can learn more by exploring the WGU Experience. Speak to an Enrollment Counselor who can explain this program in greater depth.
Is financial aid available?
Yes, WGU offers federal financial aid. Loans are available to most students, regardless of financial need. Grants that don’t require repayment are also available for those with financial need. You can check into your financial aid eligibility at any time during the admissions process. Speak to an Enrollment Counselor to learn more or visit the Financial Aid section of the website.
