The BA in Special Education From Mary Baldwin University

Learn the Skills Needed to Empower Exceptional Learners

Skilled special education teachers are essential to fostering inclusive classrooms where every student thrives. Mary Baldwin University’s Bachelor of Arts in Special Education equips you with the expertise to engage and motivate exceptional students. You’ll also be prepared to complete the required assessments for licensure.

With MBU’s BA in Special Education program, you’ll embark on an educational journey that opens the door to making a meaningful impact in the lives of students with diverse learning needs.

Why Pursue an Online Special Education Degree at Mary Baldwin?

At Mary Baldwin University, our bachelor’s degree in Special Education program offers students many benefits.

Flexible learning formats: Engage in online coursework complemented by in-person practicum experiences, allowing you to balance your studies with personal commitments.
Comprehensive classroom experience: Gain hands-on experience across all three grade bands — elementary, middle and high school — ensuring you’re well-prepared for diverse educational settings.
Individualized Education Program (IEP) development: Learn to identify the needs of exceptional students and develop effective IEPs to support their educational journey.
Collaborative learning environment: Benefit from a curriculum that emphasizes collaboration with classroom teachers, enhancing your ability to support inclusive education.

By the end of our program, you’ll be fully prepared to complete the required assessments for licensure and embark on your new career.*

Curriculum Highlights

As a special education major at Mary Baldwin, you’ll engage in a comprehensive curriculum designed to provide both theoretical knowledge and practical skills. A bachelor’s degree requires earning 120 credit hours. Courses in the program include the following.

Characteristics of Exceptionality
Assessment and Evaluation of Exceptional Students
Lifespan Human Development
Foundations and Legal Issues in Special Education
Transitioning for Exceptional Learners
Collaboration to Support Exceptional Learners
Math Methods for Special Education
Language Acquisition and Literacy Development
Classroom and Behavior Management
Assessment of and For Learning
Culturally Responsive Teaching
Integrating Literacy to Improve Content Area Learning

IEP Development and Implementation

Potential Careers

Graduates of Mary Baldwin’s online special education degree program are well-prepared for jobs such as:

Special Education Teacher
Resource Specialist
Educational Consultant
Behavior Intervention Specialist
IEP Coordinator

This degree also serves as a strong foundation for advanced studies in education and related fields.

Admissions Requirements

No application fee is required for undergraduate students. The BA in Special Education is offered both online and on-campus. The Online Admissions Office reviews applications and renders an admission decision within three business days. More information on admission requirements for online students can be found here: https://catalog.marybaldwin.edu/mbu-online-undergraduate-admission

Admission requirements include the following:

All undergraduate degree programs require a high school diploma or some college experience.
Students with no prior college experience who have a cumulative GPA of 2.6 on their high school transcript are automatically accepted into MBU Online pending they have no academic, disciplinary, or criminal issues.
Students below 2.6 will be sent to a review by the MBU Online Committee to evaluate if the student can be offered conditional admission, “special student status” or would be denied admission to the University.
Students applying for an undergraduate degree program with some college experience:
Students with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher on their most recent college transcripts are automatically accepted into MBU Online pending they have no academic, disciplinary or criminal issues.
Students with a 1.7 to 2.0 could be offered conditional admission to the University pending approval by committee.
Students with a 1.7 or lower will be sent to a review by the MBU online admissions committee to evaluate if the student can be offered “special student status” or would be denied admission to the University.
Undergraduate students are not required to provide a personal statement or resume for admission.
Proof of English proficiency: Fluent in written and spoken English. Non-native English speakers must submit one of the following with the minimum score noted: Duolingo, 130; IELTS, 7.0; TOEFL, 98.

Ready to Find Out More about MBU Online Degree Programs?

If you have questions, reach out to discuss your goals and explore how this program aligns with them. Our admissions team is dedicated to supporting you every step of the way – from selecting your degree and completing your application to preparing for your first day of class.

We’re excited about the opportunity to help you take the next step in your academic journey.

*Each state has its own specific regulations for Special Education licensure. Please review your state’s licensure requirements by visiting your state’s Department of Education or relevant licensing board for more information.