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Special Education Major

Associate of Arts

With a special education major, you’ll gain the skills to become an educator who pursues exceptional outcomes for students with disabilities.

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Become who you’re meant to be. While earning a B.A. in Special Education, you’ll develop the skills to serve students with disabilities in a high-demand profession. As you learn to customize programs to meet individual needs, you’ll discover ways to serve students with compassion in a variety of roles. You’ll build your knowledge base and refine your skills in assessing, supporting, and educating students with mild to moderate disabilities. And after earning your B.A., you’ll be able to add optional licenses in several areas: emotional behavioral disorders, developmental disabilities, and/or autism spectrum disorders. It’s all to help you become an educator who makes a difference in the lives of students.

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☰ In This Section

Why should I study special education at Bethel?

Here, you’ll find a Christ-centered learning community where you belong. Your learning will center in the Department of Education, where you’ll learn from compassionate and knowledgeable professors who will get to know you personally and will invest in your success.

Faith-fueled learning
As you gain the skills to teach, you’ll also explore how your faith can influence your work and drive you to serve in incredible ways in your classroom and the world.

A respected education program
You’ll study education in a department known and respected around the region and beyond for its strong teacher preparation. In fact, many area principals look to hire recent Bethel graduates, and many students secure a full-time job before graduation.

Mentorship and support
You’ll meet with your faculty advisor to help you meet your goals. While student teaching, you’ll be mentored by a full-time faculty member to receive valuable, individualized feedback that will help you reflect on your work and improve.

A community where you belong
You'll build your professional network and complete courses alongside supportive peers as you gain the confidence and practical tools to excel as a teacher. You’ll also be able to connect with classmates and regional education leaders at events hosted by the department and student groups.

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Connect with a counselor

They’ll answer your questions, connect you with professors, and help you find the right time to visit campus. They’ll be there every step of the way to help make applying to Bethel as smooth as possible.

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Courses and skills

What skills will I develop?

By majoring in elementary education, you’ll become a skilled teacher and lifelong learner equipped to adapt to changing trends in education. We highly stress the importance of classrooms being communities of learning where all students are welcome and respected.

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A strong base as an academic behavioral strategist

You’ll gain the tools to effectively teach students with mild to moderate disabilities. And you’ll develop strategies for managing academic and behavioral challenges in the classroom.

Strong teaching skills

You’ll be well-versed in teaching methods, develop an understanding of the educational landscape, and build a strong foundation in educational best practices.

Equipped for collaboration

You’ll grow into an educator who can collaborate with parents, families, and colleagues as you pursue success for your students.

Procedures and legal requirements

You’ll learn to ethically carry out the legal requirements and school procedures related to students with disabilities.

Innovative teaching methods

You’ll learn to use evolving teaching technology and tools to interpret, evaluate, and apply information. And you’ll be equipped to continue utilizing new methods and technology during your career.

The tools to serve all students

And you’ll learn the tools to engage with students from culturally and ethnically diverse backgrounds.

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Academic plans

Map out your time at Bethel—from day one to your diploma. Your course schedule is designed to help you grow, gain skills, and become who you’re meant to be.

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Learning opportunities

What experiences will I have?

Hands-on learning is at the core of all Bethel majors. That means you’ll find numerous opportunities to get involved, apply what you’ve learned, and gain experience. And Bethel’s size and vibrant community will allow you to pursue ways to get involved right away.

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Student teaching and classroom experience

From your first day on campus, you’ll have numerous opportunities to put educational theory and best practices in K-12 into practice in special education classrooms through field experience and student teaching. And you’ll spend a semester student teaching full time in a local classroom.

Networking and connections

You’ll be able to attend events hosted by the education department where you can interact with regional education leaders, build connections, develop your job interviewing skills, and interact directly with potential employers. These include a principal panel each fall and Bethel Advance, a recruiting and interview night held each spring.

Clubs and activities

You can join the Bethel Student Educator’s Association, a student-led academic club that builds community in the education department. You’ll be able to attend club events that bolster your future as an educator and connect you with your fellow education majors.

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Real-world impact

What can I do with a special education degree?

With a special education degree, you’ll be equipped to serve students with disabilities in a variety of school settings. As you become the person you’re meant to be, you’ll be prepared for a life of purpose in the classroom and beyond.

Serve as an academic behavioral strategist

You’ll be equipped to serve students with compassion as a special education teacher or paraprofessional in public, private, and charter schools.

Opportunities in education

You’ll also be equipped for a wide variety of education roles. You could be a curriculum coordinator, instructional designer, museum educator, training specialist, public policy coordinator, or analyst.

Graduate school and Ed.D. programs

You’ll be prepared to pursue further certifications, licenses, and graduate programs to better serve students and earn higher wages. You can go on to pursue a principal license, a superintendent license, and other administrative roles.

Serve outside schools

You’ll also be able to work as a ministry professional serving students; a social service professional; an educational director at parks, museums, and community education programs; a policy and advocacy lobbyist, or as a group home director or administrator.

Skills for any career

You’ll develop strong skills in writing, verbal and nonverbal communication, presentation, research, organization, evaluation, creative problem solving, and process improvement—skills that will help you in nearly any job—and graduate school.

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Start your journey

Explore Bethel for yourself

Visiting campus is the best way to learn about Bethel and our majors. As you try out academic and campus life at Bethel, you can attend a class, chat with students, meet professors and coaches, tour campus, and get a taste of life in our program.

Schedule a visit

Faculty mentors

Meet your professors

You’ll learn alongside faculty who are distinguished scholars and faithful Christians. They’ll invest in your success, and you’ll develop strong mentoring relationships that extend past graduation. You will learn from professors passionate about serving students with disabilities well. And as our professors seek new and innovative teaching techniques, they’ll model how you can do the same in your career.

Department of Education

Location

Lakeside Center (LSC) C200

Contact

Jill Martin

Associate Professor of Education