Online Bachelor's in Special Education
Make a difference. Teach special education.
Are you a paraprofessional seeking your special education (SPED) teacher licensure or considering a career change to become a special education teacher? Our fully online bachelor’s degree program offers a clear pathway to finish your bachelor’s degree and pursue your initial teacher licensure.
Many of our students begin the program with prior college credits or experience supporting students in the classroom but wherever you’re starting from, we’ll help you finish strong. Whether you have no credits or many, all you need is a passion for helping students succeed.
Our program, offered through the School of Education, emphasizes Workplace-Based Assessments (WBA), providing valuable hands-on classroom experience while reducing time spent on traditional coursework. You’ll develop skills in lesson planning, behavior management, and individualized instruction through real classroom settings. For those new to education, simulated assessments provide additional practical training.
Take advantage of our generous credit transfer policy to fast-track your degree and make the most of your previous hard-earned credits.
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B.S. in Special Education Program Highlights
- Specialize in high-demand areas with PELSB-approved licensure concentrations, including K-12 Emotional and Behavioral Disorders (EBD), Birth-Age 21 Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), and K-12 Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD).
- Your district may have funding to support your education. Learn more about grants and financial aid, including Grow Your Own and Special Education Teacher Pipeline Program
- Fast-track to a graduate degree, like our M.A. in Special Education, by taking courses that count toward both your bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Ask your admissions counselor for details.
- See if your district is part of our Trusted Partnership Program, offering scholarships through partnerships with numerous school districts. Learn more.
What You'll Learn in the B.S. in Special Education Program
- Core skills in SPED instruction
- Disability-specific teaching strategies
- Ethical frameworks to inform practice
- Building collaborative partnerships
- Developing intercultural competence
- Critical thinking for informed decision-making
Virtual Information Sessions
Accelerate your path to a degree
How to apply for the B.S. in Special Education Program
Saint Mary’s accepts applications for online bachelor degree programs year-round. You can start your program in the fall, spring, or summer semester once accepted.
To apply, you’ll need to provide:
- Completed application form
- Official transcripts
- If you’ve completed college-level coursework: submit official transcripts from all colleges or universities you attended.
- If you haven’t completed any college-level coursework: submit an official high school transcript showing your diploma.
- Proof of English language proficiency (if applicable) Interview with a program administrator (if requested)
It must be sent directly to Saint Mary’s University by the issuing institution. International transcripts must be evaluated course-by-course by an approved credential evaluation service, such as:
- World Education Services (WES)
- Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE)
- Educational Perspectives
- One Earth International Credential Evaluators
- Any NACES member (naces.org)
Send Materials To:
Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota
Office of Admission
2500 Park Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55404
- Fall Term 1 — Aug. 1
- Fall Term 2 — Oct. 1
- Spring Term 1 — Dec. 1
- Spring Term 2 — Feb. 1
- Summer Term 1 — April 1
- Summer Term 2 — June 1
Tuition and Fees
Course Catalog
Careers and Salary
Step into the high-demand field of special education or make a career transition. With one in six Minnesota students receiving special education services and a growing teacher shortage, now is the perfect time to earn your bachelor’s degree and pursue licensure to address the unique needs of special education.
Case Manager
$74,135 per year*Special education teacher (Minnesota)
$66,833 per year*Youth Development Coordinator
$53,957 per year*Related Programs
Advance your career with flexible online programs designed for busy adults.
Frequently Asked Questions
At Saint Mary’s, we want you to succeed, and we help you do so, inside and outside of the classroom:
Student Central: Your one stop for student services
Library: Resources and services are available 24/7 to all students.
Writing Center: Offers virtual and face-to-face services to support students
Career Services: Can help you develop your career-readiness skills at any point in your education
Yes, this program offers flexibility through online coursework and adaptable student teaching experiences. If you’re currently working as a paraprofessional, you’ll have a direct connection between your job and your studies, allowing your colleagues to support you and collaborate on assignments.
The program’s flexible structure lets you continue working in an educational setting while completing your degree and licensure requirements. If you’re new to education, It also includes realistic simulations to enhance your training.
If you’re new to education or working part-time in another field, this program is designed to help you start a career in education by offering a bachelor’s degree and initial teaching licensure. We welcome everyone to our program! We’ll support you throughout the entire process, from applying and registering to completing coursework and student teaching experiences. You don’t need to be a paraprofessional; you can transfer up to 90 credits from any field, not just education. This program is open to all learners, regardless of your current employment status.
Students can complete coursework to prepare to seek a Minnesota license in autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and emotional and behavioral disorders (EBDs). A program pathway will be individually designed for you depending on your licensure preference. Please note that this program is designed to meet educational requirements for special education licensure in Minnesota and is not designed or intended to meet educational requirements for special education licensure in other jurisdictions.
EBD: Kindergarten-12th Grade Emotional or Behavioral Disorders
The K-12 EBD licensure concentration is designed for educators who work with students facing emotional or behavioral challenges. This concentration equips teachers with strategies to address behavioral issues, create a positive learning environment, and promote the social-emotional well-being of students.
ASD: Birth- Age 21 Autism Spectrum Disorders
B-21 ASD licensure concentration is designed for educators specializing in working with students on the autism spectrum. This concentration prepares teachers to address the diverse needs of students with autism.SLD: K-12 Specific Learning Disabilities
This licensure concentration is tailored training for teachers working with students with specific learning disabilities. Please note: The SLD licensure track has limited offerings. Contact your enrollment counselor for more information.
Yes! We provide preparation for initial special education (SPED) licensure in Minnesota, which is necessary for your first teaching license. A bachelor’s degree is required for most teaching licenses in Minnesota, including special education. To obtain your licensure, you will need to complete observations and clinical field experiences in the required settings. Your licensure recommendation will depend on successfully meeting all Minnesota state licensure requirements.
You’ll complete student teaching in a special education setting, either full-time for 12 weeks or half-time for 24 weeks, based on your licensure areas. Saint Mary’s has a field placement office that will help identify and secure student teaching opportunities that meet your needs, often allowing you to student teach at your workplace or in a nearby school. If you’re new to education, we can accommodate realistic simulations to fulfill your student teaching.
You’ll collaborate closely with a cooperating teacher at your school and a university supervisor, ensuring you receive strong support and guidance. University supervision visits can be conducted either virtually or in person, providing you with flexibility and mentorship.
The B.S. in Special Education from Saint Mary’s not only provides essential skills and training but also leads directly to licensure as a special education teacher in Minnesota upon fulfilling all requirements. This dual benefit creates a clear pathway to a career in education, offering the flexibility to pursue additional licensures or advanced degrees in the future.
This degree program builds knowledge and competence progressively from your first course to your last, rather than offering isolated skills training. You’ll be part of a cohort, learning alongside the same peers throughout the program, fostering a strong sense of community, even in our convenient online setting.
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Sources and Disclaimer
- Sahan Journal, Do Minnesota’s special education teachers meet federal standards? The answer could cost the state $219 million at https://sahanjournal.com/education/special-education-minnesota-federal-funding-teacher-licensing/#:~:text=According%20to%20a%202022%20state,of%20compliance%2C%E2%80%9D%20she%20said. (visited Oct. 24, 2024).
- Indeed, Special Education Teacher Salary in Minnesota at https://www.indeed.com/career/special-education-teacher/salaries/MN (visited Oct. 24, 2024).