B.A. in Special Education
You Have Our Attention. Now Find Your Purpose.
We Need Special Educators. We Need You.
Teachers are some of the most important people in students’ lives, but special education teachers are particularly paramount in their students’ development. An engaged and passionate special educator can make a real difference for students, giving them the individualized attention and support they need to succeed in school and beyond.
The online Bachelor of Arts in Special Education degree at Wilson College will prepare you with trauma-informed classroom strategies and growth mindset pedagogies, so you can create more inclusive classrooms that empower students to overcome any obstacles they face. Our degree is almost entirely online, with asynchronous courses you can complete at any time. Alongside online lectures, students will gain real classroom experience through student-teaching assignments in Pennsylvania schools.
By the time you graduate, you’ll be an experienced, knowledgeable special education educator who gives students the extra support they need to thrive.
Prepare for a Career in Special Education
When you earn a B.A. in Special Education from Wilson College Online, you’ll become well versed in key special education topics, such as:
- Child cognitive development
- Educational psychology
- Early intervention for children with disabilities
- Foundations of autism
- Parental collaboration and communication
Successfully completing the B.A. in Special Education will provide you with the proper certification to become a licensed special education teacher in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. To obtain the certification, you must complete in-person student-teaching practicums in Pennsylvania over two to three months; it’s inadvisable to work full-time during this time.
What Will You Do With Your Special Education Degree?
Becoming a special education teacher is the most common career choice after earning a B.A. in Special Education, but graduates can choose from several career options:
Special Education Teacher
Median Annual Salary: $61,820*
School Counselor
Median Annual Salary: $60,510*
Special Education Coordinator
Median Annual Salary: $58,993**
Special Education Support Specialist
Median Annual Salary: $54,220**
Education Coordinator
Median Annual Salary: $50,840**
*Salary data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
**Salary data from Payscale
Curriculum & Courses
The following are the major's requirements. Students must also fulfill all other requirements in the degree to obtain 120 credits for graduation.
Required Courses
Child Development, Cognition & Learning
3 credit hours
Educational Psychology
3 credit hours
Education - Students With Special Needs
3 credit hours
Pre-K-4 Language & Literacy Development
3 credit hours
Teaching English Learners
3 credit hours
Pre-K-4 Reading, Writing, Assessment
3 credit hours
Educational Assessment
3 credit hours
High Incidence Disabilities
3 credit hours
Low Incidence Disabilities
3 credit hours
Creating an Effective Classroom Culture
3 credit hours
Early Intervention
3 credit hours
Parent Conferencing/Collaboration SpEd
3 credit hours
Secondary Instructional Methods
3 credit hours
Reading/Writing Methods
3 credit hours
Math/Technology Methods
3 credit hours
Foundations of Autism
3 credit hours
Transition Planning & Services
3 credit hours
Special Education Pre-Practicum
3 credit hours
Special Education Practicum (Pre-K-12)
12 credit hours
Mathematics for Liberal Studies
3 credit hours
College Algebra
3 credit hours
Introductory Statistics
3 credit hours
- or -
Understanding Statistics
3 credit hours
Introduction to Psychology
3 credit hours
“Wilson College’s Education Program is a learning community that equipped me with tools to combine learning theories and classroom experiences to shape me into an educator.”
Tuition and Financial Aid
6-14 credits per semester
Financial assistance and payment plans available
Wilson College Online is committed to making your education as affordable as possible. We’re proud to offer online courses at
Student Teaching Placement
Our staff will work with schools in your Pennsylvania district to place you in a student teaching assignment, taking the stress of finding that opportunity off your shoulders.
Flexible Coursework
Asynchronous coursework allows you to work at your own pace with no set class times—enabling you to earn a degree when and where it makes sense for you.
Attentive Faculty
Our devoted faculty truly care about your success, both in the classroom and beyond. Their virtual door is always open for mentorship, career advice, and academic support.
Regional Recognition
Wilson College provides the opportunity for transformative education, which is why U.S. News named the institution among the Top Performers on Social Mobility in the North.
Ethical Education
Our liberal studies emphasis creates agents of justice who fuel meaningful positive change in society. You’ll learn to put your accounting degree toward social good.
Certification Additions
You can gain additional professional certifications from Wilson College while you earn your degree, including an Autism Endorsement and an English as a second language certification.
Get Your Degree While You Work
The next class start date is approaching. Don't wait to apply!
We know you’re more than just a student and you have many responsibilities outside of school. That’s why we offer flexible, asynchronous online courses that allow you to study at your own pace, on your own schedule.
What You Need for Admission
We believe in equitable education and the
individuality of every
student. Each student has had their own experiences that have led them to Wilson, and those
specific
experiences should be weighed when a student is applying for admission.
That’s why
Wilson College
Online
reviews every application on a holistic, case-by-case basis, without any steadfast GPA or
standardized test
score requirements. Every student's application is assessed solely on their own merits, not
against any
hardline admission requirements.
Required Documents for
First-Time-in-College
Applicants
- Official high school transcript
Required Documents for
Transfer Applicants
- Official high school transcript
- Official college transcript(s)
About Wilson College
Initially founded as an all-women’s college in 1869, Wilson College’s mission is to empower students to be confident critical thinkers, creative visionaries, effective communicators, and agents of justice in their communities. Across all programs and fields of study, the College is fiercely committed to and passionate about providing student-centric education and individualized attention and support to ensure our students succeed.
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