Program Overview
Nurture exceptional students with a Bachelor of Science in Education in Special Education K-12
Gain specialized pedagogical knowledge and earn your teaching license with our 100% online Bachelor of Science in Education in Special Education K-12 program. The practices you learn in this CAEP-accredited special education program will aid you in accommodating the needs of a range of students with different learning needs.



This affordable and convenient online program imparts effective strategies for supporting the families of special education students, as well as evidence-based practices for delivering culturally appropriate learning opportunities for exceptional learners. Developed for working adults, this flexible program allows you to transfer up to 90 credit hours, so you can speed up your time to completion.

Arkansas State University is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), formerly known as the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), 1140 19th Street, NW, Suite 400, Washington, D.C. 20036. Phone: 202-223-0077.
In addition to providing a fuller understanding of the characteristics and needs of special learners, this program will help you develop methods for collaboration between families and schools. The B.S. in Education – Special Education K-12 at A-State is distinguished from other regional special education programs by its affordable tuition rate and the opportunity to earn your degree online.
Educators completing this program gain expertise in the following areas:
- Understanding the needs and characteristics of exceptional learners
- Developing effective learning experiences for a range of exceptional learners
- Utilizing strategies for collaboration between families and schools in developing and delivering culturally appropriate learning opportunities for students with special needs
- Applying evidence-based practices in special education
Top Careers
Prepare for a broad range of professional roles, including:
- Special Education Teacher
- Elementary Special Education Teacher
- Special Education Consultant
- Early Childhood Special Education Teacher
Also available:
You may be closer to graduation than you think!
A-State-approved credit for prior learning recognizes your previous accomplishments, reducing your tuition costs and time to graduation.
Tuition
A-State's online tuition can fit your budget
A-State's online programs are affordable and convenient. You may also qualify for financial aid. Learn more.
The Bachelor of Science in Education – Special Education K-12 online program offers the same low, pay-by-the-course tuition to all U.S. residents. All fees are included in the total tuition.


Transfer your credits for lower tuition
Use our Tuition Estimator to see how affordable your degree could be. Slide the notch to the number of credits you've already earned—which may qualify for transfer credit—to get an estimate of what your degree might cost.
Transcripts sent from other colleges and universities will be evaluated, and accepted credits will be added to the student's A-State record. The Tuition Estimator is not a guarantee or predictor of the number of credit hours that will be accepted.
Per Credit Hour | Per Course | ||||
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U.S. Resident Tuition | Required Fees | Total | U.S. Resident Tuition | Required Fees | Total |
$236.00 | $40.00 | $276.00 | $708.00 | $120.00 | $828.00 |
Calendar
Find the start date that works for you
Our B.S. in Education – Special Education K-12 online program is flexible and convenient—featuring accelerated coursework and multiple start dates per year.
Next Start & Application Due Dates:


Term | Length | Course Begin | Course End | Application Deadline | Document Deadline | Registration Deadline | Payment Deadline | Last Day to Withdraw |
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Fall 2023 | 7 wk | 08/21/2023 | 10/06/2023 | 08/07/2023 | 08/11/2023 | 08/17/2023 | 08/18/2023 | 09/22/2023 |
7 wk | 10/16/2023 | 12/08/2023 | 10/02/2023 | 10/06/2023 | 10/12/2023 | 10/13/2023 | 11/17/2023 | |
Spring 2024 | 7 wk | 01/08/2024 | 02/23/2024 | 12/15/2023 | 12/19/2023 | 01/04/2024 | 01/05/2024 | 02/09/2024 |
7 wk | 03/04/2024 | 04/26/2024 | 02/19/2024 | 02/23/2024 | 02/29/2024 | 03/01/2024 | 04/05/2024 | |
Summer 2024 | 7 wk | 05/06/2024 | 06/20/2024 | 04/22/2024 | 04/26/2024 | 05/02/2024 | 05/03/2024 | 06/07/2024 |
7 wk | 06/24/2024 | 08/07/2024 | 06/10/2024 | 06/14/2024 | 06/20/2024 | 06/21/2024 | 08/02/2024 |
Admissions
Check the requirements for this bachelor's degree
Arkansas State University has a streamlined admission process that makes it easy for you to enroll in the B.S.E. in Special Education K-12 online program. Enrollment specialists are available to walk you through the admission process, so you will be able to complete your application quickly.
Admission into the B.S.E. involves both admission to Arkansas State University and into the Teacher Education program. There are several paths to be admitted to the B.S.E. in Special Education K-12 degree:
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If you have successfully completed an associate's degree, you would be admitted if you have a cumulative college GPA of at least 2.7 on previous college coursework.
Note: You will need to have completed with following courses with a grade of ‘C' or better: ENG 1003 Composition I, ENG 1013 Composition II, MATH 1023 College Algebra (or MATH 1043 Quantitative Reasoning as allowed by degree program, COMS 1203 Oral Communication or Speech Proficiency (as specified by the department) and TE 2003 Introduction to Education.
Once you are admitted to the university, you will work with an academic advisor to complete the teacher education application and corresponding documentation, along with scheduling a departmental interview.
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If you have 13 or more transferrable college credit hours but do not have an associate degree, you would be admitted if you have a cumulative college GPA of at least 2.0 on previous college coursework. In order to gain admission into the Teacher Education program, you will need to have completed the following courses with a grade of ‘C' or better: ENG 1003, ENG 1013, MATH 1023, COMS 1203, TE 2003 and also ensure your cumulative GPA is at least 2.7 on all college coursework completed.
Note: Once you have completed at least 30 hours, you will be eligible to apply to the teacher education program. Prior to applying for the teacher education program, you will need to complete ELSE 3223 with a ‘C' or better.
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If you have 0-12 transferrable college credit hours and have been out of high school for five years or more, you would be admitted if you:
- Have a high school diploma or state-approved equivalent
- Have completed 12 or fewer earned college hours
- Have never enrolled as a student at A-State
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If you have 0-12 transferrable college credit hours and have been in high school within the last 5 years, you would be admitted if you have one of the following:
- 3.0 cumulative high school grad point average (or GED test score equivalent), OR
- 19 minimum ACT super score or minimum 990 combined SAT super score, OR
- Class rank in the top 20% of your graduating class
Submitting your application takes three easy steps: filling out the application, submitting your documents and paying the application fee.
- When completing the online application, select 100% online student and then complete all the steps on the online application.
- Pay $30.00 non-refundable application fee.
- Submit all official college transcripts.
- Submit official high school transcripts (if applicable).
- Submit official ACT/ SAT test scores (if applicable).
Note: If you have 0-12 transferrable college hours, test scores will still need to be submitted for reporting purposes to the Arkansas Department of Higher Education (ADHE); however, they are not needed for an admission decision. Accuplacer test scores are an acceptable alternative to ACT/SAT scores.
If you have any questions along the way, call us at 866-621-8096 866-621-8096, and we'll be happy to help answer questions.
Additional Information
Submit all documents to:
A-State OnlineP.O. Box 2520
State University, AR 72467
Fax: 870-972-3548
Email: [email protected]
For Non-US Postal Mail Overnight Delivery Only:
Academic Partnershipsc/o Central Receiving
2713 Pawnee St.
Jonesboro, AR 72401
Courses
Preview the curriculum of this online special education bachelor's
To earn your B.S. in Education – Special Education K-12, you need to complete 120 credit hours of coursework. The program includes 67 hours of professional education requirements, 38 credit hours of general education courses, 12 credit hours of additional requirements, 3 credit hours of licensure requirements. Students can finish faster by transferring previously earned credit hours. Freshmen students are required to take a 3-hour Making Connections course. Transfer credit hours will be evaluated during the admission process.
ELSE 3223: Introduction to Teaching Special Education
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Instruction specific to teaching children with disabilities; skills for the identification and remediation of educational, psychological and social needs of learners with disabilities and/or gifted; discusses the special education process, impact of state and federal special education laws and policies. This course will include the preparation work necessary for formal admission to the teacher education program. This includes: completion of Career Awareness Inventory, application for admission to the teacher education program with required documentation and scheduling/ completing the department virtual interview.
ELSE 3233: Foundations of Reading for Special Education
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Theories of reading and the reading process. Provides a brief history of current trends in reading instruction, specifically for teaching students with disabilities. Includes 10 hours of fieldwork. Prerequisites: ELSE 3643, Admission to the Teacher Education Program.
ELSE 3643: Exceptional Student in the Regular Classroom (or equivalent transfer course)
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Introduction to exceptional students, with the major focus on serving these individuals in regular education classroom environments. Must have passed writing portion of PRAXIS 1.
ELSE 4103: Methods and Materials for Severe or Profound Disabilities
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Evidence-based teaching strategies for teaching students with significant cognitive disabilities.
ELSE 4113: Methods and Materials for Students with Mild to Moderate Disabilities
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Comprehensive survey of methods and materials in major curricular areas relevant to the instruction of K-12 special needs students with mild to moderate disabilities.
ELSE 4123: Introduction to Autism Spectrum Disorders
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
An introduction to the basics of autism spectrum disorders, covering historical perspectives, current definitions, characteristics and methodology. Emphasis will be placed on incidence and prevalence of trends, evidence-based practices, and assessment and progress monitoring.
ELSE 4133: Behavioral, Academic and Social Interventions in the Exceptional Classroom
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Techniques and strategies in identifying, recording, evaluating, and changing social and academic behaviors of students with exceptional learning and behavior needs including theories and approaches for managing the special education classroom.
ELSE 4143: Curriculum Programming for Exceptional Learners
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Models, theories, philosophies, and research methods for evidence-based practices in special education.
ELSE 4153: Assessment and Diagnosis of Exceptional Learners
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Collection and use of academic and behavioral data for special education purposes and application of assessment results.
ELSE 4163: Introduction to Emotional Behavior Disorders
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Survey of the causes, problems, and characteristics of emotional and behavior disorders in children and adolescents, and best practices for teachers.
ELSE 4173: Assistive Technology in Special Education
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Assistive technology for persons with disabilities at all levels and ages, in a variety of categories.
ELSE 4183: Characteristics of Exceptional Learners
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
History, nature, characteristics, and needs of students with exceptionalities, including neuromotor impairments; orthopedic, musculoskeletal, and sensory disorders; and degenerative and terminal diseases.
ELSE 4193: Special Education Law and Procedures
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
The special education classification process, and laws and cases impacting special education.
ELSE 4203: Family and Community Systems
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Strategies for developing culturally appropriate family-professional partnerships to benefit children with special needs.
ELSE 4212: Elementary Practicum in Special Education
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Field-based experience designed to provide teacher candidates with the opportunity to apply knowledge gained through coursework in an elementary special education setting (K-6) that entails 30 hours of on-site practicum work.
ELSE 4216: Special Education Internship-Elementary
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Directed teaching under the supervision of a qualified teacher at the elementary school level.
ELSE 4223: Reading and Language Arts for Exceptional Learners
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Identification of skill deficiencies, modification of curriculum, designing and implementation of instructional strategies for learners evidencing disabilities in reading and language arts. Restricted to Special Education K-12 majors.
ELSE 4226: Special Education Internship-Secondary
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Directed teaching under the supervision of a qualified teacher at the secondary school level.
ELSE 4233: Mathematics Strategies for Exceptional Learners
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Effective K-12 math instructional and assessment strategies for exceptional learners. Restricted to Special Education K-12 majors.
ELSE 4242: Secondary Practicum in Special Education
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Field-based experience designed to provide teacher candidates with the opportunity to apply knowledge gained through coursework in a secondary special education setting (7-12) that entails 30 hours of on-site practicum work.
ELSE 4243: Behavior Intervention & Consultation
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Techniques of systematic behavioral analysis and intervention for students at-risk for school failure or students with disabilities. Emphasis is placed on both direct and consultative interventions. Prerequisites C or better in ELSE 3643, ELSE 3223 and Admission to Teacher Education program.
Students must take the following:
MATH 2113: Mathematics for School Teachers I
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Sets, logic, and numbers with emphasis on the axiomatic development of the real numbers. Prerequisite, with a C or better in MATH 1023 or MATH 1043.
MATH 2123: Mathematics for School Teachers II
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Mathematical systems, continued development of real numbers, specifically rational numbers, geometry, and measurement with applications. Prerequisite, C or better in MATH 2113.
HLTH 2513: Principles of Personal Health
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
This course examines principles, problems, and practices in the development of positive health behavior.
PSY 2013: Introduction to Psychology
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Study of the important scientific, principles of individual human behavior from biological, cognitive, social, and behavioral perspectives.
HIST 3083: History of Arkansas (or equivalent transfer course)
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
UNITED STATES HISTORY. An advanced survey of Arkansas history from prehistoric times to the present with an emphasis on political, economic and social/cultural themes. Required of BSE Social Science majors.
Students must take the following courses.
First-year course: You will take the following Making Connections online course.
UC 1013: Making Connections
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Required course for all first semester freshmen. Course content is centered around the skills and knowledge needed to be a successful ASU student, including academic performance, problem solving, critical thinking, self-management and group building skills, university policies and other relevant issues.
Communication Requirement:
Students must complete 6 credit hours of the following courses.
ENG 1003: Composition I
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Study and practice of fundamentals of written communication, including principles of grammar, punctuation, spelling, organization, and careful analytical reading. Prerequisite, with grade of C or better, for ENG 1013.
ENG 1013: Composition II
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Continues the practice of ENG 1003 to develop further the skills learned in that course. Based on reading and discussion of various types of writing, the students’ essays will provide practice in different kinds of rhetorical development, including research and documentation.
Mathematics Requirement:
Students must take MATH 1023, MATH 1043, or any MATH course that requires MATH 1023 as prerequisite.
MATH 1023: College Algebra
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Equations and inequalities, functions and graphs, polynomial and rational functions, exponential and logarithmic functions, systems of equations and inequalities, matrices, and miscellaneous topics. No credit given if taken following MATH 1054.
MATH 1043: Quantitative Reasoning
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Quantitative Reasoning Quantitative reasoning as the approach to understanding relationships using mathematical and algebraic methodologies. Contemporary topics will be used to identify, analyze, generalize, and communicate quantitative relationships.
Arts and Humanities Requirement:
You must complete 6 credit hours from this section. At least one course must be selected from MUS 2503, THEA 2503, or ART 2503, and at least one course must be selected from ENG 2003, ENG 2013, or PHIL 1103.
ART 2503: Fine Arts Visual
Duration: Varies | Credit Hours: 3
Course Description: Introduction to major artists, media, styles and works of art within their cultural and historical contexts for the non-art major.
ENG 2003: Introduction to World Literature I
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Introduction to the analysis and interpretation of literary works from several historical periods ranging from early civilizations through the Renaissance.
ENG 2013: Introduction to World Literature II
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Introduction to the analysis and interpretation of literary works from several historical periods ranging from the Renaissance to the present.
MUS 2503: Fine Arts – Music
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
An introduction to music for the listener who has had no formal musical training or experience. A study of musical styles and composers and their cultural and historical contexts.
PHIL 1103: Introduction to Philosophy
Duration: Varies | Credit Hours: 3
Basic problems of philosophy based upon readings in the works of selected leading philosophers. A prerequisite for upper level philosophy. Fall, Spring.
THEA 2503: Fine Arts – Theatre
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Introduction to aesthetic and critical appreciation of the art of theatre through lecture, live and video performance, and discussion.
Social Sciences Requirement:
Students must complete 9 credit hours of Social Sciences courses. Students must complete POSC 2103 and, at least one course must be selected from HIST 2763 or HIST 2773, and one course must be selected from HIST 1013 or HIST 1023.
POSC 2103: Introduction to US Government
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
The constitution, government, and politics of the United States.
HIST 2763: The United States to 1876
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
United States history. Social, economic, and political developments from Columbus to the end of Reconstruction.
HIST 2773: The United States Since 1876
Duration: Varies | Credit Hours: 3
Social, economic, and political developments from Reconstruction to the present. Fall, Spring, Summer.
HIST 1013: World History to 1500
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
The pre-modern world, with emphasis on the economic, political, and cultural processes that shaped societies before the rise of global interdependence.
HIST 1023: World History since 1500
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
The modern world, with emphasis on the economic, political, and cultural processes that have increased global interdependence.
Life Science Requirement:
Students must complete 4 credit hours of Life Science courses, including one course and one lab.
BIO 1003: Biological Science
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
The major characteristics and processes of life emphasizing the human organism. Promotes understanding of diversity and unity among living organisms with focus on ecological interactions and responsibilities of people within their social and natural environment. Lecture three hours per week. Special course fees may apply. Must be taken with BIO 1001.
BIO 1001: Biological Science Lab
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 1
Laboratory, must be taken with BIO 1003. There will be a fee when purchasing the LabKit. Please visit the tuition and fees page for pricing.
BIO 2203: Human Anatomy and Physiology I
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Introduction to the biology of atoms, molecules, organelles and cellular functions, tissues, functional anatomy of integumentary, skeletal, muscular and central nervous systems, interaction with external environment.
BIO 2201: Human Anatomy and Physiology I Laboratory
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 1
The behavior of matter with respect to life processes, cells, tissues, functional anatomy of integumentary, skeletal, muscular and nervous systems, cat anatomy, nerve and muscle preparations and recordings. It is recommended this course be taken concurrently with BIO 2203.
Physical Sciences Requirement:
Students must complete 4 credit hours of Physical Science courses, including one course and one lab.
CHEM 1043: Fundamental Concepts of Chemistry I
Duration: Varies | Credit Hours: 3
An introduction to selected fundamental concepts including dimensional analysis, mole concept, atomic and molecular structure, nomenclature, chemical reactions, thermochemistry, intermolecular interactions, gases, mixtures, kinetics, equilibrium and acid base chemistry. Fall, Summer.
CHEM 1041: Fundamental Concepts of Chemistry Lab
Duration: Varies | Credit Hours: 1
Special course fees apply. Prerequisite or co-requisite of CHEM 1043. Fall, Summer.
Departmental Option:
You must complete 3 credit hours from this section.
COMS 1203: Oral Communication
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
This course focuses on the theory and practice of communication in interpersonal, small groups and public speaking contexts, emphasizing proficiency in message organization, delivery, and critical thinking.