Feb 27, 2026  
2026-2027 Undergraduate Bulletin 
    
2026-2027 Undergraduate Bulletin

Special Education Major, B.A./B.S.


Pott College of Science, Engineering and Education  >> Teacher Education department  

The student who desires to become a special education educator will complete the following minimum course of study that leads to a Bachelor of Science degree and initial practitioner Indiana Instructional license in exceptional needs: mild intervention. Special education majors are encouraged to also complete a “highly qualified” teaching minor.

Teaching Major Grade & GPA Requirement


Students completing a teaching major must earn at least a 2.75 cumulative GPA, a 2.75 major GPA, and a grade of C or better in all courses applied toward degree requirements.

Special Education Core 39 Requirements: BS (40 hours) or BA (43 hours)


Within Core 39, special education majors are required to complete specific courses as indicated in the chart below to meet content requirements for licensure in special education.

Foundations (14 hours)

Composition I ENG 101 - Rhetoric and Composition I: Literacy and the Self  
Composition II ENG 201 - Rhetoric and Composition II: Literacy and the World  
Communication (choose one) CMST 101 - Introduction to Public Speaking  or
CMST 107 - Introduction to Interpersonal Communication  
Mathematics Any Core 39 approved Foundations Mathematics course
Physical Activity and Wellness KIN 192 - Concepts in Wellness and Fitness  
First Year Experience USI 101 - Soar to Success  

Civic and Cultural Awareness (12 hours) - 4 Categories of Ways of Knowing

Historical Inquiry HIST 203 - History for Educators  
Scientific & Mathematical Inquiry MATH 233 - Mathematics for Elementary Teachers III   
(Note: MATH 223  is a prerequisite)
Social Inquiry EDUC 221 - Access and Opportunity in Education  
Creative & Aesthetic Expression
or World Languages & Culture
Choose one course from either category
(must be a unique prefix)

Bachelor of Science (14 hours) or Bachelor of Arts (17 hours)

World Language & Culture GEOG 330 - World Geography  
Natural Science with Lab BIOL 108 - Biology for Educators  AND
CHEM 108 - Chemistry for Educators  AND
GEOL 108 - Earth-Space Science for Educators  AND
PHYS 108 - Physics for Educators  
Social Science Choose one course
Students may pursue a BA degree by completing modern language courses (ARAB/CHIN/FREN/GERM/JPN/LATN/SPAN) 101, 102, 203, and 204. For the BA degree, the social science elective may be omitted. However, GEOG 330  and the 8 hours of science are still required.

Embedded Experiences (may be core, major and/or elective courses)

Diversity EDUC 221 - Access and Opportunity in Education  
Global GEOG 330 - World Geography 
Writing
 
EDUC 221 - Access and Opportunity in Education   AND
EDUC 458 - Seminar in Professional Education  
 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

Other Content Requirements


In addition to Core 39 requirements, candidates are required to complete the following content course for licensure in special education.

Content Area Minor Requirement


In order to be considered “highly qualified” in an area, candidates must complete an established minor in a content area typically taught in P-12 schools.  Candidates may minor in elementary education or early childhood education but will only be considered “highly qualified” at those grade levels.  The highly qualified status is not required for licensure but it is required for employment.

The candidate must complete the courses listed above and earn 120 credit hours to graduate.