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.

To earn an undergraduate degree from Bethel, you will need a total of 122 credits. The listed number of required credits is based on a minimum of 60 transfer credits from previous professional, military, or educational experiences.

If you are applying with fewer credits, your enrollment counselor can help explore options for obtaining additional credits.

Total credits

59

Finish in as few as

30 months

Courses

• School-Wide Field Experience (TEAC395)

  Supervised observation in K-12 inclusive education setting. Analysis of student needs, classroom environments, and related cultural factors. Development of a personal standard for effective teaching. Implementation of effective lesson plans. Impact of personal faith on the special education teacher role.

  2 credits

• Foundations of Education (TEAC521)

  Introduction to the teaching profession and focus on influences shaping education. History, philosophy, psychology, sociology, legal matters, reform, and other current education issues. Student mental health and impact of chemicals in student lives, families, and schools. Personal growth planning, collaboration, and connection between professional responsibilities and personal faith and values.

  2 credits

• Educational Psychology (TEAC524)

  Identifies approaches to K–12 student development, learning, and performance and structures effective learning environments. Explores language acquisition, cultural influences, early assessment theory, and current issues. Examines learning and behavior theories that inform instruction and integrates Christian or personal faith perspectives on learning.

  4 credits

• General Methods of Instruction (TEAC526)

  Develops effective lesson and long-range plans, assessments, and evaluations. Designs lessons that integrate diverse instructional strategies and leverage student assets, including language and culture. Examines appropriate data practices for student assessment and progress. Plans opportunities using culturally responsive practices to engage all students, especially multilingual learners and historically marginalized populations.

  4 credits

• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Education (TEAC528)

  Identifies various groups in American communities and develops skills for culturally affirming communication and collaboration. Examines Minnesota-based American Tribal Nations and communities. Analyzes how biases, discrimination, prejudice, racism, and sexism affect student learning and personal identity. Recognizes the impact of school environments and practices on equitable education delivery.

  4 credits

CORE Courses

A distinctive feature of Bethel's programs is our commitment to the development of the whole person. In addition to courses within a program, students explore personal values and faith formation in a hospitable environment that respects learning from one another's perspectives. Rather than teaching students what to think about Christianity, we teach students how to think about the Bible, Christian history, and personal faith.

Licensure and Accreditation

• Bethel’s B.S. in Special Education K-12 Academic Behavioral Strategist program has approval through Minnesota’s Professional Education Licensing Standards Board (PELSB).
• Student teaching courses are required to be taken at Bethel.
• If you want to obtain a teaching license in a state other than Minnesota, check that state's requirements for licensure.
  • Bethel University cannot confirm whether courses or programs meet requirements for professional licensure in states outside of Minnesota. Students should contact their state's licensing bureau to determine whether Bethel's program meets requirements for licensure in their state.

Why Choose Bethel?

Learn why you should choose Bethel (Google doc) for a B.S. in Special Education K-12 Academic Behavioral Strategist.