Program Details
Special Education-BS
Bachelor of ScienceOld Dominion University
The Bachelor of Science in Special Education has two concentration options: Adapted Curriculum (K-12) and General Curriculum (K-12). Students with a concentration in Adapted Curriculum K-12, is designed to prepare professionals to develop and implement appropriate educational programs for students with moderate - severe disabilities (i.e., low-incidence disabilities), who are accessing the adapted curriculum. The course work focuses on the improvement of the quality and scope of educational and related services available to individuals with disabilities. Students with a concentration in General Curriculum K-12, will experience a program which is designed to prepare professionals to develop and implement appropriate educational programs for students with mild disabilities (i.e., high-incidence disabilities), who are accessing the general education curriculum. Both concentration course work focuses on the improvement of the quality and scope of educational and related services available to individuals with disabilities. Teacher candidates are prepared to work effectively with children and adolescents who require special education services in both public and private facilities. The program serves as a catalyst to promote awareness, understanding, and acceptance of individuals with disabilities.
Program Overview & Guidance

Program Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
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Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses | |
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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

The table below lists admissions agreements between Old Dominion University and partner institutions that may guarantee admission to this program if you meet the required criteria. Click on the title name of the agreement to view a summary of those criteria.
You can view the full text of these Agreements in the Resource Center
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 | Completion of the general education certificate or a transfer-oriented associate degree program will guarantee completion of the University Core general education component of the ODU undergraduate curriculum but may not fulfill specific departmental requirements or prerequisites needed for the major.
With a completed transferrable Associate Degree from VCCS, students may enter ODU as a junior with lower division education requirements considered met as indicated in the pathway map. |
Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School | With a completed transferrable Associate Degree from VCCS, students may enter ODU as a junior with lower division education requirements considered met as indicated in the pathway map. Even if the Associate Degree was completed concurrently while completing their high school requirements. |
Credit for Prior Learning | The Office of Prior Learning exists to aid ODU students in translating their professional work knowledge into academic credit. Through the use of various mechanisms, we are able to offer students the opportunity to have their prior learning assessed and applied for academic credit. This path may save the students both time and money as they work toward their degree. If you have military experience, please use our course by course equivalency tool to see how your experiences will transfer. |
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? | With transfer pathways to all majors with transferable associate degrees, plus 200+ guided pathways specific for applied associate degrees, Old Dominion University is the most transfer-friendly university in Virginia. |
Transfer Student Catalog Year | Catalog year determined by first semester of attendance |
First Year Student Catalog Year | Catalog year determined by first semester of attendance |
Applying for Guaranteed Admissions | Guaranteed Admission (GAA) Submit a Letter of Intent to Transfer. Apply to ODU after completing 15 credit hours at a VCCS institution with a minimum GPA of 2.5. Apply to ODU for the term following the expected completion term of your associate degree. Follow application processes and deadline dates for special programs, i.e. nursing. https://www.odu.edu/transfer/guaranteed-admission |
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 |
Mary Baldwin University | Bachelor of Arts in Special Education | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | Online, Hybrid |
George Mason University | Special Education, BSEd | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science in Education | 4-Year | Hybrid |
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
