Bachelor of Science in Education in Special Education

Catalog Year 2024-2026

Based on VCCS Curriculum for SPECIAL EDUCATION

Transfer Guidance

Guaranteed Admission Agreement Requirements

• Earn a transfer associate degree based on the Special Education curriculum.

• Earn a minimum of 2.5 GPA for the associate degree.

• A maximum of 63 credits will transfer and apply toward a bachelor’s degree requirements.

• Submit your transfer application for Fall admission by March 1 and for Spring admission by December 1, including an unofficial transcript.

• Request an official transcript to be sent upon completing the associate degree.

• Transfer within four years of first enrolling at the community college and within one year of completing the appropriate associate degree.

Important Links & Dates

• University Transfer Center: Transfer Admissions & Services https://www.nsu.edu/transfer

• Register Intent to Transfer: By the end of your first semester at the Community College through College Connect at www.TransferVirginia.org

• Admission Application: By May 1 at https://www.nsu.edu/Admissions-Aid/Apply-Online

• Financial Aid: https://www.nsu.edu/tuition-and-financial-aid

• FAFSA - Free Application for Federal Student Aid: By October 1 at studentaid.gov

What Should I Consider When Selecting Courses?

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

• Connect with an advisor at your community college and Norfolk State University within your first year. College Connect available in your account at www.TransferVirginia.org

Is This Degree Right For Me?

• The Bachelor of Science in Education Degree in Special Education and Teaching provides students the opportunity to develop the required knowledge, skills and dispositions to obtain licensure to teach in Special Education General Curriculum K-12 school settings or in community agencies.

• The broad curriculum is embedded with research-based teaching practices to address the diverse learning requirements and behavior challenges of students with mild disabilities and special needs.

• Information on program admittance and graduation requirements, field experiences, state license standards, and passing scores on Praxis and State Assessments is posted on the department’s website.

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

• Associate Transfer Degree Completion: Completion of a transfer-level associate degree satisfies all lower-division general education requirements.

• Dual Enrollment – Completion of Associate Degree in HS: The agreement of guaranteed admission into the college applies to students earning an associate degree concurrent with high school who have completed a transfer-approved degree with a minimum of 45 credits completed through a Virginia Community College, with a GPA of 2.0 or higher and that meets all requirements outlined in the Transfer Guide.

• Credit for Prior Learning: All course credits that were awarded by the two-year institution for equivalent prior learning experiences (IB, AP, CLEP, Military, etc.) will transfer based on the transfer equivalence for the course awarded.

• Catalog Year: Catalog year determined by first semester of attendance at the community college post high school graduation. For students maintaining continuous enrollment, this entitlement will be in effect for a minimum of four years from the time of the student’s first enrollment at the two-year institution. Students must enroll at the four-year institution within one year of completing their associate degree.

Is This College Right For Me?

• NSU has been ranked by U.S. News and World Report as one of the Top 20 HBCUs in the nation.

• It is close to downtown Norfolk and within driving distance of Virginia Beach.

• On-campus housing is available.

• Weekend/evening/summer courses are available, and online degree options are available for several programs.

• NSU is a military-friendly institution.

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

Did You Know That…

• Completing your Associate transfer degree post-high school satisfies all lower division general education requirements and increases the chance of completing your bachelor’s degree?

• Exceeding 3 years or 90 credits at your community college means you may have exhausted your financial aid at that college and have limited your future financial aid at NSU?

What Can I Do With This Degree?

• The Bachelor of Science Education Degree in Special Education and Teaching provides students the opportunity to develop the required knowledge, skills and dispositions to obtain licensure to teach in Special Education General Curriculum K-12 school settings or in community agencies.

• The broad curriculum is embedded with research-based teaching practices to address the diverse learning requirements and behavior challenges of students with mild disabilities and special needs.

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

Program Successes & Highlights

• The School of Education benefits from support from local school districts in the tidewater and peninsula areas.

• Partnerships have been established to allow candidates (students admitted to teacher education) to provide experiential learning opportunities.

What Are My Chances For Getting Accepted?

• NSU accepts close to 90 percent of students who complete an application.

• The average GPA of students admitted is a 2.9. However, admission into the Teacher Education program requires a minimum GPA of 2.5.

• Learn more about applying at www.TransferVirginia.org

Do More With Your Degree!

• Students are prepared to meet the Virginia Licensure Regulations for School Personnel and the Council for the Accreditation of Education Preparation (CAEP) Standards and Assessments, including passing the Praxis RVE and VCLA Assessments.

Other Than Classes, Are There Other Program Requirements?

• Students must pass Praxis I (or equivalent) and apply for admission to the Teacher Education program at the end of 60 hours or completion of the Associate degree.

• Students applying for admission to the Teacher Education program must have a minimum 2.5 grade point average with no grade below a "C" and must have passed VCLA exam and RVE, if applicable.

• Applicants are required to complete a portfolio that contains two letters of recommendation, a copy of their philosophy of education, an update on any disposition documents on file, as well as participate in an interview, and meet any other requirements as outlined in the guidelines provided at Office of Clinical Experiences and Student Services (OCESS) webpage https://www.nsu.edu/education/cpd/index.

• Students are to be admitted to teacher education prior to enrolling in any professional education observation participation course. Students must continue to maintain a 2.5 GPA and earn at least a grade of "C" for continuance in the Teacher Education program.

• Students enrolled in teacher education programs are required to pass additional state licensure assessments. These assessments are Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment (VCLA), Reading for Virginia Educators (RVE) (Elementary and Special Education majors), and PRAXIS II Subject Assessments.

• Additional state certifications are offered through the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE). These certifications are Dyslexia and the Recognition of Child Abuse and Neglect.

• Candidates are required to complete the Emergency First Aid, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Use of Automated External Defibrillators (AED) training. Documentation of training must be submitted to the Office of Clinical Experiences and Student Services (OCESS) before you begin your student teaching.

• Prior to placements in practicum or internship, students are required to complete a universal background check, the Child Protective Service Central Registry Release of Information (032-02-1515/1), and a fingerprint check by the school division. Students may be liable for all costs incurred. Candidates must adhere to guidelines outlined in the field experience handbook and located on the Office of Clinical Experiences and Student Services (OCESS) webpage https://www.nsu.edu/education/cpd/index.