BSEd in Special Education (Educational Studies)

Get the preparation you need to pursue career options that support individuals with disabilities. Use your degree to support advocacy for those with disabilities and influence policies around disabilities. Potential careers can include:

• State agency work
• Non-profit advocacy
• Community programs
• Residential or day-program care
• Early childhood programs
• Early intervention
• Tutoring
• Educational support services

This undergraduate option would also be a strong foundation for graduate study in fields such as applied behavior analysis or school psychology. Our program fosters inclusion, diversity, and multiculturalism through theory and practice-based learning with individuals with disabilities. This program is offered at our Athens campus.

Highlights

1. Athens campus cohort groups start each Fall
2. Small class sizes ensure individualized attention and mentoring
3. In-depth study in supporting individuals with disabilities
4. Strong foundation for further study in graduate programs

Curriculum

You will enter the program in the Fall of your junior year with a group of cohorts who progress through the required coursework together. All Special Education students must complete:

• 6 hours in required courses on classroom and behavior management and working with families and other professionals
• 30 hours of coursework related to their area of emphasis

Coursework for the Special Education Educational Studies Program covers:

• Characteristics of disabilities and programs for individuals with disabilities
• Contemporary issues in special education
• Language development and communication
• Instructional supports
• Assessment of students with disabilities
• Collaboration with families and professionals

This program does not lead to teacher certification in Georgia.

Download 2023-2024 Four-Year Plan (PDF) Download 2024-2025 Four-Year Plan

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

Admission Requirements

In typical cohort years, this program admits approximately 15-20 students.

Prior to applying, please consult with the Special Education advisor in the Office of Undergraduate Advising . Our advisor will advise you on how to arrange your program of study prior to application, so you are well-positioned for enrollment if accepted.

Minimum Eligibility Criteria

• Overall minimum GPA of 2.80
• Completion of Core Areas I-VI prior to entrance into the professional sequence of courses
• 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.

• B.S.Ed. Program Application FAQs

How to Apply

Part 1: Apply to the University of Georgia

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

Start UGA Application

Part 2: Apply to the B.S.Ed. in Special Education (Educational Studies) Program

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 coursework, you may be provisionally accepted contingent upon satisfactory completion of the required courses while maintaining the required minimum 2.80 GPA for admission.

Application Materials

The Special Education program uses the College’s major application. Consult an advisor about when to apply.

In your application, please submit the following materials:

• Unofficial transcript: Applicants should upload a copy of their unofficial transcripts in a single PDF file using the naming format:
  Last Name, First Name_Semester_Transcript.

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.

Candidates meeting minimum eligibility criteria will be admitted to the program emphasis on a space available basis. Full consideration will be given to candidates meeting the application deadline.

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

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.

Admission Contact

Useful Links

• Student Handbook (PDF)