BSEd in Special Education and Educational Studies

Introduction

Prepare to make a meaningful impact in the lives of individuals with disabilities through UGA’s undergraduate program in special education and educational studies. Our newly redesigned program offers one unified, on-campus B.S.Ed. experience that introduces students to the full continuum of special education services. Students engage in coursework that intentionally integrates both adapted curriculum and general curriculum content.

Students in the program gain knowledge and experience related to:

• Adapted curriculum: Individuals with moderate, severe, or profound disabilities, including intellectual disabilities and autism
• General curriculum: Individuals who are primarily following the general curriculum, including individuals with behavior disorders, learning disabilities, mild intellectual disabilities, and other health impairments

Through this integrated approach, students develop a broad understanding of how to support individuals with disabilities across settings—from inclusive classrooms to more specialized environments—while pursuing a pathway aligned with their career goals.

Students in the special education certification pathways build toward eligibility for teacher certification, while students in educational studies develop foundational knowledge for careers in support services, advocacy, and related fields or for further graduate study. All students learn in a cohort-based, in-person program located in Athens, building strong relationships with faculty and peers while engaging in meaningful applied learning experiences.

Program Highlights

• Cohort-based, on-campus program (Athens)
• Small class sizes with individualized mentoring
• Extensive field experiences (certification pathways)
• Double Dawg pathways available
• Dyslexia Endorsement and Certificate

Choose Your Path

1. Special Education (Certification Pathways)

Earn a B.S.Ed. in Special Education and become eligible for teacher certification in Georgia.

Students complete a unified program with both:

• A primary emphasis area
• A secondary emphasis area

You will choose one of the following:

Option A

• Major emphasis: Adapted curriculum
• Minor emphasis: General curriculum

Option B

• Major emphasis: General curriculum
• Minor emphasis: Adapted curriculum

All students complete field experiences in both adapted curriculum and general curriculum settings. The timing and number of hours in each setting vary based on the selected emphasis area. The clinical practicum (student teaching) takes place in the student’s primary emphasis area, allowing for deeper specialization during the final semester.

Hands‑on experience

Field experiences are embedded throughout the program and are intentionally designed to build skills across both emphasis areas.

• Field experiences begin in the first semester and continue each semester
• During the program, all candidates will have opportunities to work with children across each of the grade bands required by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (pre-K-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12)
• Students should expect placements in public school classrooms in surrounding counties two days per week during the first three semesters, followed by a full-time (Monday-Friday, approximately 40 hours per week) student teaching experience in the final semester
• Placements occur in both adapted and general curriculum classrooms
• Final semester includes full-time student teaching in the student’s primary emphasis area
• Students also complete an intensive reading intervention practicum

2. Educational Studies (Non‑Certification Pathway)

Designed for students who want to work in disability-related fields without pursuing teacher certification.

• No field experiences required
• Does not lead to special education certification
• Ideal for careers in:
  • Nonprofit and advocacy organizations
  • Community and residential programs
  • Support services and related services (e.g., applied behavior analysis, speech-language pathology, occupational therapy)
  • Policy and disability services

Curriculum Overview

The unified program integrates coursework across both emphasis areas, including:

• Assessment of students with disabilities
• Classroom and behavior management
• Language development
• Systematic instruction
• Emphasis on reading instruction
• Content-area instruction
• Collaboration and professional practice

Additional information and disclosures regarding state licensure for professional practice in this field can be found on the UGA Licensure Disclosure Portal .

Four-Year Program of Study

Special Education Double Dawgs Pathways

The special education program has Double Dawgs pathways that offer students the opportunity to earn both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in five years or less to save time and money while positioning themselves for success after graduation.

• B.S.Ed. in Special Education (Adapted Curriculum) / M.Ed. in Special Education (Adapted Curriculum ‑ Autism)
• B.S.Ed. in Special Education (Adapted Curriculum) / M.Ed. in Special Education (Birth Through Kindergarten with Endorsement in Preschool Special Education)
• B.S.Ed. in Special Education (General Curriculum) / M.Ed. in Special Education (General Curriculum, Non‑Thesis)

Dyslexia Endorsement and Certificate courses

Admission Requirements for All Pathways

Minimum eligibility requirements:

• Overall minimum GPA of 2.8
  • Transfer applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.0
• Completion of Core Areas I-VI is required by the end of the semester of application
• Students who do not have transfer credit for EDSE 2000 and/or EDIT 5100E may complete these courses later in the program of study, if accepted
• Grade of C or better in EDIT 5100E, EDUC 2120, EDUC (EPSY) 2130, and EDSE 2000
  • No grade lower than B in EDSE 2000
  • No grade lower than C in Core Area VI
• Completion of (1) Federal and Georgia Constitution and (2) U.S. and Georgia history university requirements by the end of the semester of application (Note: You may only take the exemption exams for these subjects a certain number of times. Please consult with the UGA Testing Center to ensure your timeline works.)

All students admitted to the pathway are required to have a GaPSC pre-service certificate prior to taking EDSE 4441, 4442, and 4443 (Practicum in Special Education).

How to Apply

Part 1: Apply to the University of Georgia

Students must be accepted to UGA before entering a College of Education program.

Start UGA application

Part 2: Apply to the B.S.Ed. in Special Education

You are ready to apply to this program when you have completed or are in the process of completing the minimum eligibility requirements. If you are in the process of completing any required core course work, you may be provisionally accepted contingent upon satisfactory completion of the required courses while maintaining the required minimum 2.80 GPA for admission.

Special education admissions timeline:

• Application opens: December 19
• Application deadline: January 23 at 5 p.m.
• Admissions decisions released: February 9

Applications submitted after the deadline may still be considered until program capacity is met.

Application materials

To apply for the special education program, please use the College’s major application.

B.S.Ed. program application FAQs

Apply the the Program

Selection Process

Applications are evaluated by a committee consisting of faculty and staff in the special education program. The evaluation process examines all applicant materials for adherence to minimum eligibility criteria, including consideration of GPA, and completion of Core Areas I-VI.

Simply meeting the minimum eligibility criteria does not guarantee acceptance to the program. Applicants who are not accepted may apply again to the following application cycle. Students may apply for admission in the Spring if requirements are completed in the Summer.

Full consideration will be given to candidates meeting the application deadline. Admission decisions will be made by March 1. You will be notified via email of the admission decision by the program coordinator or other program contact.