Bachelor of Science in Education in Special Education and Teaching with a Concentration in Early Childhood

Catalog Year 2025-2026

Based on VCCS Curriculum for EDUCATION

Transfer Guidance

Guaranteed Admission Agreement Requirements

• This degree program is covered by VCU’s Guaranteed Admission Agreement.

• By meeting the following criteria, you are guaranteed admission to the BS in Education program at VCU:

• Earn a transfer associate degree.

• Earn a minimum GPA of 2.5 for your associate degree. VCU will recognize the cumulative GPA as recorded on the VCCS transcript and not recalculate based on multiple course attempts.

• Complete a minimum of 30 credits at VCCS institution.

• Earn grades of “C” or higher in all community college courses.

• Note: following admission to VCU, students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.8 for subsequent admission to the VCU teacher preparation program and a 3.0 GPA for student teaching course requirements.

Important Links & Dates

• University Transfer Center: https://transfer.vcu.edu/.

• Register Intent to Transfer: https://ugradadmissions.vcu.edu/register/letterofinterest.

• Admission Application: By March 15 for fall admission and November 1 for spring at https://www.vcu.edu/admissions/apply/.

• Financial Aid: https://semss.vcu.edu/our-services/financial-resources-and-guidance/.

• FAFSA - Free Application for Federal Student Aid: March 1 for fall semester at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa.

What Should I Consider When Selecting Courses?

• Complete your English courses and any math prerequisites in your first year.

• Create a schedule for all required courses, pay attention to prerequisites and when courses are offered. For help, see Transfer Steps and Resource Center at www.TransferVirginia.org.

• Connect with an advisor at your community college and the VCU Transfer Center within your first semester through your account at www.TransferVirginia.org.

Is This Degree Right For Me?

• The purpose of the B.S.Ed. in Special Education and Teaching with a concentration in early childhood is to prepare students to serve as initially licensed special education teachers or early interventionists. The program will focus on providing students with the tools they need to work in settings serving children birth to age 5 with disabilities or who are at-risk for developmental delays, as well as work with their families. Students will garner the knowledge and skills to be able to recognize a child’s developmental and social concerns, to formulate effective and personalized/individualized instruction, and to consult with parents, teachers, related service providers and administrators to incorporate accommodations and transitions across the child’s educational program. Skills gained through this program are the ability to identify developmental concerns, adapt curriculum and support communication, motor, cognitive, social and self-help skills, as well as provide strategies for behavior management. Students will be prepared to support families of infants and toddlers through coaching around identified outcomes based on the child’s specific needs, work as the lead teacher in preschool special education settings and provide consultation to preschool teachers who work with children with diverse abilities and backgrounds. Graduates will be prepared to work in early intervention and early childhood special education settings across Virginia, with particular focus in urban and high-need areas. Successful completion of the program will result in licensure in special education/early childhood curriculum (B-5).

What Is The Impact On My Degree Of Work I Have Already Completed?

• Associate Transfer Degree Completion: The completion of a transfer associate degree results in all lower-division general education requirements being met when you transfer to VCU.

• Dual Enrollment – Completion of Associate Degree in HS: The completion of an associate degree concurrent with high school results in 60 credits of coursework applied towards your degree and VCU’s general education courses will be satisfied. High school students must apply to VCU as freshman applicants for orientation and engagement purposes.

• Credit for Prior Learning: VCU accepts AP, IB, Cambridge, CLEP, DANTES, and military credits.

• Catalog Year: VCU will honor the degree requirements of the VCU Undergraduate Bulletin in effect at the time of the student’s first post-high school enrollment into an appropriate associate degree at the two-year institution. Students must stay enrolled at their community college and take no more than four years to complete their associate degree. Students must also enroll at VCU within one year of completing their associate degree.

Is This College Right For Me?

• Located in downtown Richmond, within two hours of the beach, the mountains and Washington DC, VCU provides top-ranked academic programs, research opportunities and an urban setting so students can live and learn in the real world.

• VCU is a large, public research institution dedicated to the success and well-being of students and the Richmond community.

• Diversity, inclusion and equity are deeply ingrained core values at VCU. If you are looking to connect with a broad range of people, come join us!

• Learn more about our college at www.TransferVirginia.org.

Did You Know That…

• Completing your associate transfer degree satisfies all lower division general education requirements and increases the likelihood you will complete your bachelor’s degree?

• Exceeding 3 years or 90 credits at your community college could exhaust your financial aid there and reduce your future financial aid at VCU?

What Can I Do With This Degree?

• Explore possible careers, salaries, and job outlook at www.TransferVirginia.org.

Program Successes & Highlights

• Develops high-quality educators with expertise in inclusive public K-12 school environments.

• Molds students into professionals who advocate for students to have access to the general curriculum in inclusive education settings.

• Eligible for licensure in special education in special education/early childhood curriculum (Birth – 5th grade).

• Fulfill mission to mold critically reflective practitioners

What Are My Chances For Getting Accepted?

• If you apply through general application instead of through the Guaranteed Program Admission Agreement, you will be considered for admission with all other transfer applicants.

• Learn more about applying at www.TransferVirginia.org.

Do More With Your Degree!

• Students in the program have the benefit of three field-based learning opportunities: one in the elementary setting, one in the middle school setting, and one in the high school setting, providing the teacher candidate with a wide range of experiences

Other Than Classes, Are There Other Program Requirements?

• All students must complete at least one VCU “REAL” experiential learning activity in order to graduate from VCU. Examples of REAL activities include: internships, research, and service learning. This requirement may be satisfied by completing a 300-level (or higher) REAL course or through an approved REAL co-curricular experience.

• Learn more at https://real.vcu.edu/