BS in Special Education
Effective fall 2022, undergraduate students interested in applying to Wheelock College will be admitted to its BS in Education & Human Development and will no longer be admitted to the BS in Special Education program. Continuing students will continue to complete the degree program that they entered.
The Special Education program at Boston University provides opportunities for students to prepare for careers as teachers in public and private school programs and in residential and vocational settings.
All BU undergraduate students, including both entering first-year and transfer students, will pursue coursework in the BU Hub, the University’s general education program that is integrated into the entire undergraduate experience. BU Hub requirements can be satisfied in a number of ways, including coursework in and beyond the major as well as through cocurricular activities. Students majoring in Special Education will ordinarily, through coursework taken in the Boston University Wheelock College of Education & Human Development, satisfy BU Hub requirements in Diversity, Civic Engagement, and Global Citizenship; Communication; and some elements of the Intellectual Toolkit, essential for educators working with other professionals and families. Additional requirements may be satisfied through required Arts & Sciences coursework, and it is important that students keep Hub requirements in mind when selecting these courses. Remaining BU Hub requirements will be satisfied by selecting from a wide range of available courses outside the major or, in some cases, cocurricular experiences.
BU students specializing in the education of students with disabilities engage in a comprehensive course of study that includes a strong base in the arts and sciences, with coursework in the humanities, social sciences, and math and science, as well as in education, in general, and in special education. Fieldwork in area schools with students with and without disabilities is threaded all throughout the students’ course of study.
The program of study for each student is carefully designed to enable the student to meet both the BU Hub capacities and the requirements that enable Boston University to recommend students to the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education for teaching licenses at the Initial Level as a Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities Grades PreK–8 or 5–12, or a Teacher of Students with Severe Disabilities (All Ages). Fulfillment of licensure requirements in the program can lead to licensure in states with which the Commonwealth of Massachusetts has reciprocity.
To be eligible for the student teaching practicum in the Special Education program, students must have:
- earned a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 in all BU coursework;
- earned a minimum GPA of 2.5 in all professional coursework;
- earned a B– or higher in WED ED 110 Introduction to Education and WED SE 250 Disability, Education, and Public Policy;
- obtained a grade of B or higher in required pre-practicum Special Education course(s); and
- passed the Gateway Assessments.
Additionally, students must have:
- maintained a record of having consistently demonstrated professional behavior in person and in written communication;
- provided documentation of having met school district CORI/SORI and fingerprinting requirements; and
- gained approval for practicum by their academic advisor, placement coordinator, and the program director.
Learning Outcomes
- Curriculum, Planning, and Assessment: Promotes the learning and growth of all students by providing high-quality and coherent instruction, designing and administering authentic and meaningful student assessments, analyzing student performance and growth data, using this data to improve instruction, providing students with constructive feedback on an ongoing basis, and continuously refining learning objectives. (Well-Structured Lessons; Adjustments to Practice; Reflective Practice)
- Teaching All Students: Promotes the learning and growth of all students through instructional practices that establish high expectations, create a safe and effective classroom environment, and demonstrate cultural proficiency. (High Expectations; Meeting Diverse Needs; Safe Learning Environment)
- Family and Community Engagement: Promotes the learning and growth of all students through effective partnerships with families, caregivers, community members, and organizations.
- Professional Culture: Promotes the learning and growth of all students through ethical, culturally proficient, skilled, and collaborative practice. (Meeting Diverse Needs)
- Demonstrates Subject Matter Knowledge: Shows depth and breadth of knowledge needed to teach the subject matter to students as evidenced by lesson planning and implementation.
Program Requirements
Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities (PreK–Grade 8) (total units: 129)
Students who specialize in the education of students with moderate disabilities focus studies on increasing their understanding of the characteristics of and methods for educating students with mild to moderate learning disabilities, intellectual disabilities, and behavioral disorders in preschool and through grade 8.
BU Hub Requirements or Electives Outside the Major (20 units)
- Twelve of these units (no more than four at the 100 level) must be taken within one of these disciplines: economics, English, history, math, political science, or science; or across three different disciplines from the list; or as part of a minor in one of the disciplines.
Electives should be selected carefully, with an academic advisor, to meet BU Hub requirements not fulfilled through other required Subject Matter and Professional Studies requirements.
Subject Matter Requirements (50 units)
- CAS EE 201 World Regional Geography (4 units)
- CAS HI 151 The Emerging US to 1865 (4 units)
- CAS HI 152 The United States Since 1865 (4 units)
- CAS HI 175 or 176 World History to 1500/World History after 1500 (4 units)
- CAS MA 107 Mathematical Reasoning in Elementary Grades: Number Systems (4 units)
- CAS MA 108 Mathematical Reasoning in the Elementary Grades: Algebra, Geometry, and Statistics (4 units)
- CAS NS 101 Integrated Science I (4 units)
- CAS NS 102 Integrated Science II (4 units)
- CAS PS 101 General Psychology (4 units)
- CAS SO 210 Confronting Persistent Social Inequalities in American Schools (2 units)
- CAS SO 211 Confronting Racial, Cultural, Gender, and Social Identities in Urban Classrooms (2 units)
- CAS WR 202 Children’s Literature in the Elementary School (2 units)
- CFA AR 261 Introduction to Art Education (2 units)
- CFA MH 106 Music Appreciation (2 units)
- WED PS 241 Developmental Psychology or WED EC 305 Child Development and Early Childhood Education (4 units)
Professional Studies Requirements (59 units)
- WED CH 300 Methods of Instruction: Elementary 1–6 (10 units)
- WED ED 110 Introduction to Education (4 units)
- WED ED 111 Educational Technology (1 unit)
- WED ED 225 Project Citizen: Promoting Civic Engagement (2 units)
- WED ED 412 Civic Contexts of Education (2 units)
- WED HE 221 Foundations of Health Education (2 units)
- WED LR 501 Teaching of Reading (4 units)
- WED LR 503 Reading and Writing Assessment (2 units)
- WED LS 560 Introduction to Language and Language Acquisition (4 units)
- WED PE 211 Movement Education: Early Childhood to Adolescence (2 units)
- WED SE 250 Disability, Education, and Public Policy (4 units)
- WED SE 401 Cognition and Learning (4 units)
- WED SE 480 Teaching Students with Special Needs (4 units)
- WED SE 515 Assessment in Special Education: Procedures (2 units)
- WED SE 593 Student Teaching Practicum: Students with Moderate Disabilities, PreK–8 (8 units)
- WED TL 520 Teaching English Language Learners (4 units)
Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities (Grades 5–12) (total units: 135)
Teachers of Students with Moderate Disabilities, Grades 5 through 12, are interested in teaching students who have mild to moderate learning disabilities, intellectual disabilities, and behavioral disorders/conduct disorders in middle and high school settings. Students in this program specialize in a subject that is taught in middle and high schools (math, history, English, political science, general science, physics, etc.) in addition to specializing in the education of students with moderate disabilities.
BU Hub Requirements or Electives Outside the Major (32 units)
Subject Matter Requirements (48 units)
- CAS MA 107 Mathematical Reasoning: Number Systems (4 units)
- CAS MA 108 Mathematical Reasoning: Algebra, Geometry, and Statistics (4 units)
- Electives: 40 units (with at least 16 at the 300 level) in one of the following areas: English, political science, history, science, or mathematics.
Electives should be selected carefully, with an academic advisor, to meet BU Hub requirements not fulfilled through other required Subject Matter and Professional Studies requirements.
Professional Studies Requirements (55 units)
- WED DS 502 Introduction to Adolescent Development (2 units)
- WED ED 110 Introduction to Education (4 units)
- WED ED 111 Educational Technology (1 unit)
- WED ED 225 Project Citizen (2 units)
- WED ED 410 Social Context of Education (2 units)
- WED ED 412 Civic Contexts of Education (2 units)
- WED EN 506 or WED SC 572 or WED ME 500 or WED SO 572 (4 units)
- WED LR 501 Teaching of Reading (4 units)
- WED LR 503 Reading and Writing Assessment (2 units)
- WED LS 560 Introduction to Language and Language Acquisition (4 units)
- WED SE 250 Disability, Education, Public Policy (4 units)
- WED SE 315 Fieldwork in Special Education (2 units)
- WED SE 401 Cognition and Learning (4 units)
- WED SE 515 Assessment in Special Education (2 units)
- WED SE 584 Methods and Materials in Special Education: Secondary (4 units)
- WED SE 594 Practicum: Students with Moderate Disabilities, Grades 5–12 (8 units)
- WED TL 525 Teaching English Language Learners in the Middle/High School (4 units)
Teacher of Students with Severe Disabilities (Ages 3–21) (total units: 135)
Students choosing to specialize as a Teacher of Students with Severe Disabilities learn about the educational needs of students with severe intellectual disabilities, developmental disorders including autism, and severe physical disabilities. Studies include the etiology of disabling conditions; the nature of services and programs for the individuals; and the design, implementation, and evaluation of educational programs and services for students. Central to the program are emphases on: (a) transdisciplinary approaches to services; (b) the involvement of families; and (c) the delivery of special education services in general education settings.
BU Hub Requirements or Electives Outside the Major (20 units)
- Twelve of these units (no more than four at the 100 level) must be taken within one of these disciplines: psychology, sociology, history, math, science, or English; or across three different disciplines from the list; or as part of a minor in one of the disciplines.
Electives should be selected carefully, with an academic advisor, to meet BU Hub requirements not fulfilled through other required Subject Matter and Professional Studies requirements.
Subject Matter Requirements (54 units)
- CAS EE 201 World Regional Geography (4 units)
- CAS HI 151 The Emerging US to 1865 (4 units)
- CAS HI 152 The United States Since 1865 (4 units)
- CAS HI 175/176 World History to 1500/World History After 1500 (4 units)
- CAS MA 107 Mathematical Reasoning in the Elementary Grades: Number Systems (4 units)
- CAS MA 108 Mathematical Reasoning in the Elementary Grades: Algebra, Geometry, and Statistics (4 units)
- CAS NS 101 Integrated Science I (4 units)
- CAS NS 102 Integrated Science II (4 units)
- CAS PS 101 General Psychology (4 units)
- CAS PS 234 Psychology of Learning (4 units)
- CAS SO 210 Confronting Persistent Social Inequalities in American Schools (2 units)
- CAS SO 211 Confronting Racial, Cultural, Gender, and Social Identities in Urban Classrooms (2 units)
- CAS WR 202 Children’s Literature (2 units)
- CFA MH 106 Music Appreciation (2 units)
- WED PS 241 Developmental Psychology or WED EC 305 Child Development and Early Childhood Education (4 units)
Professional Studies Requirements (61 units)
- WED ED 110 Introduction to Education (4 units)
- WED ED 111 Educational Technology (1 unit)
- WED ED 225 Project Citizen: Promoting Civic Engagement (2 units)
- WED ED 412 Civic Contexts of Education (2 units)
- WED LR 501 Teaching of Reading (4 units)
- WED LR 503 Reading and Writing Assessment (2 units)
- WED LS 560 Introduction to Language and Language Acquisition (4 units)
- WED SE 250 Disability, Education, and Public Policy (4 units)
- WED SE 315 Fieldwork in Special Education: Severe Disabilities (2 units)
- WED SE 316 Fieldwork in Special Education: Severe Disabilities (2 units)
- WED SE 401 Special Education: Cognition and Learning (4 units)
- WED SE 480 Teaching Students with Special Needs (4 units)
- WED SE 504 Introduction to Early Childhood Disabilities (2 units)
- WED SE 505 Introduction to Severe Disabilities (2 units)
- WED SE 507 Early Childhood Disabilities/Severe Disabilities: Assessment and Instructional Planning (4 units)
- WED SE 508 Early Childhood Disabilities/Severe Disabilities: Curriculum and Methods (4 units)
- WED SE 515 Assessment in Special Education (2 units)
- WED SE 595 Student Teaching Practicum: Students with Severe Disabilities, PreK–12 (8 units)
- WED TL 520 Teaching English Language Learners (4 units)
