B.A. Special Education - Coastal Carolina University
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‌B.A. in Special Education / Multi-CategoricalGraduation Cap

Students who complete the Bachelor of Arts in Special Education at Coastal Carolina University may be eligible to earn a teaching license in Multi-categorical Special Education.* This license responds to the critical needs of our schools, in that teachers must be prepared to educate students with a broad array of disabilities, including specific learning disabilities, emotional disabilities, and intellectual disabilities from kindergarten through high school. The program includes critical coursework related to characteristics of disabilities; assessment of student performance; collaboration with families and other school professionals; instructional planning, including development of Individualized Education Programs; evidence-based instructional methods; functional behavior analysis and Behavior Intervention Plans; and academic and individualized instructional content. Additionally, the program includes three field experiences in public schools, designed to prepare students with knowledge of professional and ethical special education practice. Finally, in the final semester, students use knowledge and skills in a semester-long internship in a local public school, which supports a successful transition from teacher candidate to professional special educator. The undergraduate program is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation.

* Licensure applications are approved by the South Carolina Department of Education.

Admission to the Program:

All students enter the program as pre-majors. Candidates may complete a formal application for admission to the professional program in teacher education (PPTE) when they have completed at least 60 hours of college level coursework and have met the following requirements:

  • Minimum GPA of 2.75
  • 60 hours of coursework; grade of ‘C’ or better in ENGL 101 and ENGL 102 or ENGL 211 
  • Grade of ‘C’ or better in EDUC 111 
  • Grade of ‘C’ or better in EDUC 204 
  • Grade of ‘C’ or better in these pre-professional courses required for special education
    • EDSP 200, EDUC 335, EDUC 336
    • MATH 201, MATH 202
  • Completion of any foreign language
  • Grade of ‘C’ or better in all required education courses completed
  • Passing scores on all three areas of Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators Test: Reading (156), Writing (158), and Math (150) or exemption
  • A signed Criminal Offense Disclosure statement
  • South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) background check
  • Complete a Professional Reference for Teacher Candidate Form
  • Approval of Portal I Faculty Committee

For More Information:

Nicole Uphold, Ph.D.
Singleton Endowed Professor and Coordinator of Special Education
Prince Building, Room 119J
843-349-2610
nuphold@coastal.edu