Program Details
Bachelor of Arts in Special Education
Bachelor of ArtsMary Baldwin University
The Special Education major embodies the University’s values of a comprehensive liberal arts education. Completing the requirements for the major will provide prospective special education teachers the breadth of subject mastery that is expected both for effective teaching of diverse students in a collaborative setting and for meeting requirements set by the Virginia Department of Education. This major provides the best opportunity to prepare highly qualified classroom teachers within the four years of the undergraduate degree program. Requirements include content and professional studies coursework for licensure. Therefore, students seeking licensure are required to meet Education program admission requirements, CAEP accreditation candidacy requirements, and successfully complete student teaching in order to qualify for a Virginia Teaching License and graduation.
Program Overview & Guidance

Program Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
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Considerations for Selecting Degree | |
Considerations When Selecting Courses |
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Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses | |
Doing More With Your Degree | |
Program Successes & Highlights |
Program Credit Requirements

If you wish to see how your credits may apply, you can:
- Contact the institution where a staff member can help you map your credits to the requirements for this program.
- View the program requirements listed in the institution's catalog.
Applicable Admissions Agreements

There are no Applicable Admission Agreements for the Program.
What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?

Transfer Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
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Associate Transfer Degree Completion | AA, AA&S, AS, ADN, and AAS in Human Services fulfill all general education requirements. Students that transfer in with a qualifying associate's degree will have all Gen Ed requirements met and can meet some degree requirments/prerequisites with transfer credits. |
Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School | Students that transfer in with a qualifying associate's degree will have all Gen Ed requirements met and can meet some degree requirments/prerequisites with transfer credits. |
Credit for Prior Learning | We accept AP, IB, and CLEP results for college credit if the score earned meets college expectations. MBU Online may also evaluate Prior Learning Portfolios for students. Please see https://marybaldwin.edu/admissions/online/credit/ |
Did You Know That... |
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College Level Information

College Fit Guidance | What You Need to Know |
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Is This College Right For Me? | Mary Baldwin's size allows students to gain maximum benefit from work with faculty who teach and mentor them. The average class size is 17 and very few are larger than 30. Campus housing is available for transfer students, and the campus community creates a variety of social, cultural, and cocurricular activities. Students also become involved in the broader Staunton community because civic engagement is a hallmark of a Mary Baldwin education. Student-athletes can participate in 12 different men's and women's varsity sports. Approximately 20% of students take advantage of this opportunity. |
Transfer Student Catalog Year | Students are governed by the degree requirements of the Catalog in effect at the time they begin their studies at Mary Baldwin University. However, students have the option of declaring themselves under the jurisdiction of a subsequent catalog; students may choose the Catalog in effect at the time they select a major or at the time they file for graduation. The Catalog governing degree requirements must be within 8 (eight) years of a student’s graduation date. Students transferring to Mary Baldwin University from the Virginia Community College System may elect to declare any Catalog in effect within the twenty-four-month period immediately preceding the term they first enroll. |
First Year Student Catalog Year | Students are governed by the degree requirements of the Catalog in effect at the time they begin their studies at Mary Baldwin University. However, students have the option of declaring themselves under the jurisdiction of a subsequent catalog; students may choose the Catalog in effect at the time they select a major or at the time they file for graduation. The Catalog governing degree requirements must be within 8 (eight) years of a student’s graduation date. Students transferring to Mary Baldwin University from the Virginia Community College System may elect to declare any Catalog in effect within the twenty-four-month period immediately preceding the term they first enroll. |
Applying for Guaranteed Admissions |
Where Can This Degree Transfer

Institution | Title | Degree | Award Name | Award Level | Delivery Mode |
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Wytheville Community College | Associate of Arts & Sciences Degree in Education | Associate | Associate of Arts & Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Germanna Community College | Associate of Arts & Sciences Degree in Education | Associate | Associate of Arts and Sciences | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Laurel Ridge Community College | Associate of Science Degree in Education | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Paul D. Camp Community College | Associate of Arts & Sciences in Education | Associate | Associate of Arts and Sciences | 2-Year | In-Person |
Wytheville Community College | Associate of Science in Education | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
James Madison University | Bachelor of Science, Major in Special Education | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person, Online |
George Mason University | Special Education, BSEd | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science in Education | 4-Year | Hybrid |
Old Dominion University | Special Education-BS | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person, Online |
Marymount University | Special Education (K-12) (BA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Art | 4-Year | In-Person |
Bluefield University | BS in Special Education | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
Virginia Commonwealth University | Education in Special Education and Teaching, Bachelor of Science | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science in Education | 4-Year | In-Person |
Virginia Commonwealth University | Special Education and Teaching with concentration in Early Childhood, Bachelor of Science in Education | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science in Education | 4-Year | In-Person |
Emory & Henry University | Applied History Social Sciences (BA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Emory & Henry University | Interdisciplinary History and Integrative Social Sciences Teacher Preparation (BA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Emory & Henry University | Interdisciplinary History and Social Sciences Teacher Preparation (BA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Emory & Henry University | Interdisciplinary Mathematics & Teacher Preparation (BA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Careers Where This Degree Applies

O*Net Code | Name | Description | Parent |
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25-2059.01 | Adapted Physical Education Specialists | Provide individualized physical education instruction or services to children, youth, or adults with exceptional physical needs due to gross motor developmental delays or other impairments. | Educational Instruction and Library Occupations |
25-2059.00 | Special Education Teachers, All Other | All special education teachers not listed separately. | Educational Instruction and Library Occupations |
25-2056.00 | Special Education Teachers, Elementary School | Teach academic, social, and life skills to elementary school students with learning, emotional, or physical disabilities. Includes teachers who specialize and work with students who are blind or have visual impairments; students who are deaf or have hearing impairments; and students with intellectual disabilities. | Educational Instruction and Library Occupations |
25-2055.00 | Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten | Teach academic, social, and life skills to kindergarten students with learning, emotional, or physical disabilities. Includes teachers who specialize and work with students who are blind or have visual impairments; students who are deaf or have hearing impairments; and students with intellectual disabilities. | Educational Instruction and Library Occupations |
25-2057.00 | Special Education Teachers, Middle School | Teach academic, social, and life skills to middle school students with learning, emotional, or physical disabilities. Includes teachers who specialize and work with students who are blind or have visual impairments; students who are deaf or have hearing impairments; and students with intellectual disabilities. | Educational Instruction and Library Occupations |
25-2051.00 | Special Education Teachers, Preschool | Teach academic, social, and life skills to preschool-aged students with learning, emotional, or physical disabilities. Includes teachers who specialize and work with students who are blind or have visual impairments; students who are deaf or have hearing impairments; and students with intellectual disabilities. | Educational Instruction and Library Occupations |
25-2058.00 | Special Education Teachers, Secondary School | Teach academic, social, and life skills to secondary school students with learning, emotional, or physical disabilities. Includes teachers who specialize and work with students who are blind or have visual impairments; students who are deaf or have hearing impairments; and students with intellectual disabilities. | Educational Instruction and Library Occupations |
25-9043.00 | Teaching Assistants, Special Education | Assist a preschool, elementary, middle, or secondary school teacher to provide academic, social, or life skills to students who have learning, emotional, or physical disabilities. Serve in a position for which a teacher has primary responsibility for the design and implementation of educational programs and services. | Educational Instruction and Library Occupations |
Cost To Complete
