OVERVIEW
A Dual Teacher Licensure Degree in Elementary and Special Education
This elementary education and special education degree program will ensure you're ready to impact students, classrooms, and your community. You'll be prepared to teach students with a range of disabilities (from mild to moderate) and learning needs. This elementary education and special education degree program equips you with the skills you need to connect to diverse learners, helping them thrive. This bachelor’s program prepares you for teaching certification in both special education (K–12) and elementary education in states where dual teaching licensure is available.
In this elementary education and special education degree program, you'll do your coursework online but have Demonstration Teaching opportunities that give you classroom experience. When you earn your teaching degree online from WGU you become a credentialed expert, ready to help students with different learning styles and needs.
Note: This is a dual licensure program in special ed and elementary ed. If your state offers a single license in K–12 special education, you might also want to consider the B.A. Special Education (Mild to Moderate) program. An Enrollment Counselor can help you decide which program is right for you.
61% of graduates finish within
36 Months*
Prepare for two teaching licenses in less time. WGU lets you move more quickly through material you already know and advance as soon as you're ready. The result: You may finish faster.
*WGU Internal Data
Tuition per six-month term is
$3,825
Tuition charged per term—rather than per credit—helps you control the ultimate cost earning your teaching degree online. Finish faster, pay less!
On average, students transfer
28 credits*
Your associate’s degree or previous college may waive some courses through transfer. We review your transcripts for transfer credits.
*WGU Internal Data
COURSES
Special & Elementary Education Courses
A highly relevant elementary and special ed curriculum developed by education experts.
Program consists of 46 courses
At WGU, we design our curriculum to be timely, relevant, and practical—all to help you show that you know your stuff.
Earning a B.A. in Elementary Education and Special Education prepares you with the content knowledge and effective teaching skills to become a special education instructor for students with mild to moderate disabilities.
Some of the courses in this program may be waived through transfer from your previous college experience. The rest you will complete one at a time as you make your way through your program, working with your Program Mentor each term to build your personalized Degree Plan. You’ll work through each course as quickly as you can study and learn the material. This means that you can finish as many courses as you're able in a term at no additional cost.
The B.A. Special Education and Elementary Education program is a mostly online program, with some in-classroom requirements. You will complete your courses by studying and working independently with instruction and support from WGU faculty.
Washington students, please note that you will be required to complete one additional course that is not listed below: Survey of Pacific Northwest History for Educators. View the Washington program guide.
Students will take eight professional core courses in this special education teacher degree that will prepare them to handle unique educational situations and become better teachers. These courses focus on a variety of important topics including social and emotional learning, and technology and diversity inclusion in the classroom. Plus, students will get to use augmented reality experiences to give them the opportunity to practice their work before entering the classroom. These eight professional core courses are also coupled with preclinical experience to help ensure teachers are ready for their classroom.
This program comprises the following courses. Some may be waived through transfer from your previous college experience. The rest you will complete one at a time as you make your way through your program, working with your Program Mentor each term to build your personalized Degree Plan. You’ll work through each course as quickly as you can study and learn the material. As soon as you’re ready, you’ll pass the assessment, complete the course, and move on. This means that you can finish as many courses as you're able in a term at no additional cost.
46 Courses
Program consists of 46 courses
At WGU, we design our curriculum to be timely, relevant, and practical—all to help you show that you know your stuff.
Professional Portfolio
Special requirements for this program
You will complete a professional portfolio, which will include your résumé and Philosophy of Teaching Statement and serve as a way to showcase the skills you have acquired throughout your degree program and Demonstration Teaching.
“There were many, many obstacles that I faced while earning my degree. Not only was I single mother of three, I was also having to work and attend school full-time. Thankfully, WGU made it possible for me to succeed! Though I did lose a few nights of sleep to work on courses while my kids slept, it was all worth it in the end. The financial and emotional obstacles I faced made the outcome and achievement even more special.”
—Amanda Ogle
B.A. Elementary Education & Special Education
WGU vs. Traditional Universities
Compare the Difference
Traditional Universities
TUITION STRUCTURE
Per credit hour
Flat rate per 6-month term
SUPPORT
Schedule and wait days or even weeks to meet with one of many counselors
Simply email or call to connect with your designated Program Mentor who supports you from day one
EXAMS
Scheduled time
Whenever you feel ready
SCHEDULE
Professor led lectures at a certain time and place
Courses available anytime, from anywhere
TIME TO FINISH
Approximately 4 years, minimal acceleration options
As quickly as you can master the material, typically less than 3 years
TRANSFER CREDITS
Few accepted, based on certain schools and specific courses
A generous transfer policy that is based on your specific situation
Traditional Universities
TUITION STRUCTURE
Per credit hour
TUITION STRUCTURE
Flat rate per 6-month term
SUPPORT
Schedule and wait days or even weeks to meet with one of many counselors
SUPPORT
Simply email or call to connect with your designated Program Mentor who supports you from day one
EXAMS
Scheduled time
EXAMS
Whenever you feel ready
SCHEDULE
Professor led lectures at a certain time and place
SCHEDULE
Courses available anytime, from anywhere
TIME TO FINISH
Approximately 4 years, minimal acceleration options
TIME TO FINISH
As quickly as you can master the material, typically less than 3 years
TRANSFER CREDITS
Few accepted, based on certain schools and specific courses
TRANSFER CREDITS
A generous transfer policy that is based on your specific situation
Why WGU?
You Aren't On Your Own
WGU has Program Mentors who work with you from the day you start, all the way through graduation. They help you set up your Demonstration Teaching, learn about teaching certification in your state, and more. You're not alone when you choose an online education degree at WGU.
On Your Schedule
Students choose WGU for their online teaching degree program because of its flexibility. Whether you already have a full-time job, have responsibilities as a parent, or just have a busy schedule, WGU can work for you.
Licensure In Any State
WGU's online special and elementary education degree prepares you for a teaching license in any state in the United States. It's valuable to learn the other requirements in your state to know the full process for gaining licensure.
Accredited, Respected,
Recognized™
One important measure of a degree’s value is the reputation of the university where it was earned. When employers, industry leaders, and academic experts hold your alma mater in high esteem, you reap the benefits of that respect. WGU is a pioneer in reinventing higher education for the 21st century, and our quality has been recognized.
COST & TIME
An Affordable Elementary and Special Education Degree Program
By charging per six-month term rather than per credit—and empowering students to accelerate through material they know well or learn quickly—WGU helps students control the ultimate cost of their degrees. The faster you complete your program, the less you pay for your degree.
A College Degree Is Within Reach
There is help available to make paying for school possible for you:
The average student loan debt of WGU graduates in 2022 (among those who borrowed) was less than half* the national average.
*WGU undergraduate students have approximately half the debt at graduation compared to the national average, according to the Institute for College Access and Success (2022).
Most WGU students qualify for financial aid, and WGU is approved for federal financial aid and U.S. veterans benefits.
Many scholarship opportunities are available. Find out what you might be eligible for.
FLEXIBLE SCHEDULE
A Different Way to Learn: Degree Programs Designed to Fit Your Life—and All the Demands on Your Time
At WGU, we understand that you’ve got professional responsibilities, family obligations, and personal commitments. That’s why we offer a flexible approach to higher education. You’ll get a solid, career-focused education that fits your life. Expect to be challenged, to work hard, and to put in the hours needed. But WGU enables you to complete your coursework online, anytime and anywhere your schedule allows, and move through assignments and assessments as quickly as you're able.
"My journey through Western Governors University was successful because of the well-educated and knowledgeable course instructors, as well as my program mentor. I loved having the independence and ability to work when I wanted without having to sit in-seat at a university. The cost is the biggest attraction to Western Governors University. It is incredibly inexpensive, which makes it possible for me, as an adult, to work full time while attending college.”
—Kristy Gammon
B.A. Elementary Education & Special Education
CAREER OUTLOOK
A Special Education Degree Opens Doors to Your Own Classroom and Beyond
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics anticipates employment of special education teachers in the United States to grow by more than 14,000 from 2019 to 2029. Once you have completed your B.A. in Special Education and Elementary Education, you'll be ready to fill this needed role in your school district. With your new skills, knowledge, and in-classroom experience, you will be set up for a rewarding teaching career.
Graduates of this respected special education teacher degree program work in a variety of school settings, including inclusionary K–12 classrooms, self-contained classrooms, or resource rooms. You may also serve as a teacher of record (K–8) and teach all basic subjects in an elementary school classroom. No matter what you choose to do with this degree program, you're sure to make an impact on education. (Grade level eligibility will depend on your state’s corresponding license).
Return on Your Investment
On average, WGU graduates see an increase in income post-graduation
Average income increase from all degrees in annual salary vs. pre-enrollment salary. Source: 2022 Harris Poll Survey of 1,542 WGU graduates.
Survey was sent to a representative sample of WGU graduates from all colleges. Respondents received at least one WGU degree since 2017.
4%
The number of teaching positions for all special education teachers in the United States is expected to grow by 4% from 2021 to 2031.
—U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
WGU Has Alumni Teaching in Schools Across the Country
Graduates of WGU's online Teachers College have found meaningful, rewarding teaching careers in classrooms at:
- Inclusionary K–12 classrooms
- Middle/junior high schools
- High schools
- Private and charter schools
Impressive Class of Graduates
Graduates of the WGU Teachers College include recipients of many professional honors, including:
- Gates Millennium Scholars
- Intel Grant for Mathematics and Technology
- Claes Nobel Educator of Distinction Award
- Milken Family Foundation National Educator Award
- Association of Public Charter Schools Educator of the Year Award
ADMISSIONS
Bachelor of Elementary and Special Education Admission Requirements
Students who are seeking initial teacher licensure in a bachelor’s, post-baccalaureate, or master’s program must also pass a state-specific basic skills test for the state in which they live as a prerequisite to Demonstration Teaching (student teaching). (Registering and paying for the test is the student’s responsibility.) This requirement can be met either prior to admission or before beginning the Foundations of Teaching subject area once you are in your WGU program.
WGU’s teacher licensure programs also include Demonstration Teaching (student teaching). You must be at least 18 years of age before you may begin the application process or participate in Preclinical Experiences and Demonstration Teaching. You must also submit to a criminal background check prior to entering the classroom for this component of your program.
An Enrollment Counselor can help you best determine whether you have the sufficient background for entry into your program of choice.
Get Your Enrollment Checklist
Download your step-by-step guide to enrollment.
Get Your Questions Answered
Talk to an WGU Enrollment Counselor.
Transfer Credits
MORE DETAILS
Becoming a Licensed Teacher
State-specific licensure requirements: Each state in the U.S. has specific testing requirements that must be met or completed in addition to completing your teaching degree program at WGU. Teacher licensure requirements vary depending on state laws and may include a number of factors, such as:
- Completion of a bachelor’s degree program
- Submission of transcripts
- Completion and clearance of a background check
- Passing of required entrance exams and basic skills tests
Preclinical Experiences
As part of this program, you'll participate in a wide range of in-classroom teaching experiences through at least 75 hours of in-classroom observation.
Demonstration Teaching
To help you prepare to work in classrooms, this program includes a student teaching component (we call it Demonstration Teaching, or DT). DT is a full-time, supervised, in-classroom experience of a minimum of 12–20 weeks during which you will be hosted by an experienced teacher and observed by a Clinical Supervisor. Your host teacher will evaluate your performance based on accepted professional standards. Learn more.
More About the B.A. in Special & Elementary Education
- More About This Degree
- More About Teacher Licensure
- Transfers
Ready to Start Your WGU Journey?