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.

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Prepare for a Meaningful Career With a Special Education Bachelor’s Degree Online

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 special education bachelor’s degree online 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; they can’t be completed while employed full time.

What Can You Do With a 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: $65,910*

School Counselor
Median Annual Salary: $61,710*

Special Education Coordinator
Median Annual Salary: $59,000**

Special Education Support Specialist
Median Annual Salary: $55,100**

Education Coordinator
Median Annual Salary: $53,000**

*Salary data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

***Salary data from Payscale&

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Curriculum & Courses

Major Requirements

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

EDU 204

Child Development, Cognition & Learning

3 credit hours

EDU 206

Educational Psychology

3 credit hours

EDU 215

Education - Students With Special Needs

3 credit hours

EDU 238

Pre-K-4 Language & Literacy Development

3 credit hours

EDU 312

Teaching English Learners

3 credit hours

EDU 338

Pre-K-4 Reading, Writing, Assessment

3 credit hours

EDU 341

Educational Assessment

3 credit hours

SPE 216

High Incidence Disabilities

3 credit hours

SPE 217

Low Incidence Disabilities

3 credit hours

SPE 310

Creating an Effective Classroom Culture

3 credit hours

SPE 328

Early Intervention

3 credit hours

SPE 332

Parent Conferencing/Collaboration SpEd

3 credit hours

SPE 334

Secondary Instructional Methods

3 credit hours

SPE 338

Reading/Writing Methods

3 credit hours

SPE 339

Math/Technology Methods

3 credit hours

SPE 340

Foundations of Autism

3 credit hours

SPE 346

Transition Planning & Services

3 credit hours

SPE 348

Special Education Pre-Practicum

3 credit hours

SPE 440

Special Education Practicum (Pre-K-12)

3 credit hours

MAT 101

Mathematics for Liberal Studies

3 credit hours

- or -

MAT 103

College Algebra

3 credit hours

MAT 115

Introductory Statistics

3 credit hours

- or -

PSY 115

Understanding Statistics

3 credit hours

PSY 110

Introduction to Psychology

3 credit hours

One course in literature

Two noncredit workshops in technology and code of conduct
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“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.”
Kyle McNew, 2018

Tuition and Financial Aid

Credit Hour

per credit hour

Financial Aid

6-14 credits per semester

Choose Electives

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 per credit hour as a private college—which is lower than the national average cost of four-year public universities. Plus, our dedicated financial services team will help you along the way.

Learn More About Financing Your Degree

Frequently Asked Questions

What can I do with a bachelor’s degree in special education?

With a bachelor’s degree in special education, you can work as a special education teacher, providing tailored instruction and support to students with diverse learning needs and disabilities. Additionally, this degree opens opportunities in areas like educational coordination, advocacy, and consulting within schools and community organizations focused on inclusive education.

What is the average salary for graduates of a bachelor’s in special education degree program?

According to Payscale, the average salary for bachelor’s in special education degree holders is about $58,000 per year.

Is the bachelor’s in special education degree program accredited?

Yes. All programs in the education department are accredited by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

How long is the online bachelor’s in special education program?

The completion time for the online bachelor’s in special education program depends on transfer credits and how many credits you take per semester. The average time to completion is between three and four years.

Intimate Classes

Personal Learning Environment

Our 13:1 student-to-faculty ratio ensures every student gets the individualized attention they deserve.

Flexible Coursework

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.

Devoted Faculty

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.

National Recognition

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.

Focus on Social Good

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.

Sense of Belonging

Sense of Belonging

Our online programs honor Wilson’s rich history of providing accessible and inclusive education. No matter your background, you belong at Wilson.

The next class start date is approaching. Don’t wait to apply!

Get Your Degree While You Work

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.

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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)
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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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