Special Education Academic Behavioral Strategist Program

Bachelor of Science

With a special education degree, you’ll be prepared to serve K-12 students with disabilities and take your next step in a high-demand field.

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At a glance

Delivery

Online

Finish in as few as

30 months

Cost per credit

$464

Learn more about the cost of attendance.

Special Education Academic Behavioral Strategist (B.S.)

Learning that fits your life. In Bethel’s B.S. in Special Education K-12 Academic Behavioral Strategist program, you’ll prepare to serve students with mild to moderate disabilities in K-12 settings. You’ll learn to customize learning experiences and use evidence-based practices that support students with compassion. You’ll also complete the fieldwork and student teaching required for Minnesota Tier 3 special education teaching license eligibility. After completing your bachelor’s degree, you can continue building your credentials through Bethel’s stackable graduate-level licenses in Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), Developmental Disabilities (DD), and Emotional and Behavioral Disorders (EBD)—or in Bethel’s full M.A. in Special Education.

Program details

The B.S. in Special Education K-12 Academic Behavioral Strategist builds the skills you need for a high-demand field. You'll learn to assess student needs, use real classroom data, and build instructional plans that support academic and behavioral growth. Field experiences and student teaching connect your coursework to real classrooms as you prepare for Minnesota Tier 3 special education teaching license eligibility.

This degree requires student teaching. However, students can also pursue the B.S. in Special Education Studies, which does not require student teaching and can help you start your career by working toward a Tier 1 or Tier 2 special education teaching license.

Special Education Program Details

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At Bethel, your professional, life, military, and past educational experience could count as credits toward your degree. Save time and money. Find out more about how you could qualify for and earn college credits.

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Connect with a counselor

They’ll answer your questions, connect you with professors, and help you find the right time to visit campus. They’ll be there every step of the way to help make applying to Bethel as smooth as possible.

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Program highlights

Flexibility

Continue moving forward while balancing school with your other responsibilities. Courses are mostly online, with some in-person Saturday sessions. New courses begin every six weeks, providing several opportunities to start throughout the year.

Residency pathway option

If you work at one of Bethel's partner residency schools, you may be able to complete this program through the residency pathway. As a resident teacher, you'll keep serving in your school while completing coursework and field experiences that prepare you for Minnesota Tier 3 special education teaching license eligibility.

Real classroom experience

Apply what you learn throughout the program in K-12 classrooms. You'll complete four field experiences, at least 100 field placement hours, and 12 weeks of student teaching.

If you participate in the residency pathway, you'll connect your coursework directly to your daily classroom experience.

Supportive faculty

Learn from professors with academic knowledge and classroom experience. They connect your coursework to the situations you'll face as an educator, helping you build practical skills for your work with students.

Student success

You'll have support from admission through graduation. Advisors and professors will help you understand program expectations, plan your path, and keep moving toward completion.

Practical Experience

Build skills you can apply directly to special education settings. You'll learn to assess student needs and plan instruction that supports academic and behavioral growth, and you'll collaborate with families and school professionals along the way.

Christian environment

Explore how your values shape the way you teach and serve. Professors teach from a Christian perspective and welcome students from all backgrounds. You'll consider how your beliefs and values influence ethical practice, collaboration, and care for students.

Our mission

In our adult undergraduate and graduate education programs, we lead in faith-based teacher preparation and evidence-based innovation in education. We prepare educators to pursue academic excellence in K-12 classrooms and beyond while recognizing the value and dignity of each individual as made in God's image. Learn more about our program's mission. Learn more about our program's mission.

Upcoming events

See yourself at Bethel—join us for one of our in-person or virtual events!

More events

Grow as a resilient teacher

Teaching asks a lot of you, but Bethel will help you prepare for the classroom while building habits that help you stay grounded in the work.

Charting Hope series. Explore practices that support teacher resilience and well-being. You’ll reflect on what sustains you, how your values shape your teaching, and how hope can guide your work with students.
Refresh event. This annual in-person gathering for education professionals gives teachers space to pause, connect, and return to their work with renewed purpose. Together, these experiences help you prepare for the classroom and the realities of teaching. You’ll grow as an educator who can serve students well while caring for your own long-term calling.

Through these events and more, you’ll grow as an educator who can serve students well while caring for your own long-term calling.

Career Outcomes

Outcomes

Our B.S. in Special Education K-12 Academic Behavioral Strategist program will help you build the skills and classroom experience to serve students with mild to moderate disabilities. After completing the program and your student teaching, you’ll be eligible for a Minnesota Tier 3 special education teaching license.

Skills

Learn how to:

Use data and critical thinking to guide special education programming
Teach students with mild to moderate disabilities in K-12 settings
Develop strategies for academic and behavioral support
Carry out legal requirements and school procedures with ethical care
Collaborate with families, caregivers, colleagues, and school communities
Support students from culturally and ethnically diverse backgrounds
Use technology to interpret, evaluate, and apply information

Careers

Our graduates become:

Excellent candidates for Bethel's M.A. in Education in K-12 program or additional specialty licenses
Special education teachers in public, private, and charter schools
Special education case managers
Group home directors or administrators
Ministry professionals serving students with disabilities
Support staff for Special Olympics, camps, or recreational programs