Below is a template that outlines the typical course progression for this major. Actual progression may vary based on factors such as AP/IB credits, dual enrollment, transfer credits, individual academic readiness. A College of Education academic advisor will help develop a path to graduation that is best suited for you.
Special Education (B.S.)
What can you do with this degree?
The Special Education program prepares you to teach K–12 (ages 5–21) with a wide range of disabilities. This includes students with specific learning disabilities, other health impairments, emotional and behavioral disorders, intellectual disabilities, autism, and multiple disabilities. You'll gain hands-on experience in various elementary, middle, and high school settings, both urban and rural. From the start, you'll immerse yourself in over 200 hours of classroom observations across various disability categories and grade levels, followed by a full semester of student teaching.
Students who complete the program are prepared to earn two Kentucky teacher certifications: one in Learning/Behavior Disorders and another in Moderate to Severe Disabilities.
Program Details
Delivery Method: On Campus, In-Person
Teacher Education Program: Teacher Certification Information
Scholarship Information: Student Scholarships and Awards
Accreditation: This program is approved by the Kentucky Education Professional Standards Board and accredited by the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP).
Department of Early Childhood, Special Education, & Counselor Education
What You'll Study
Year 1
Semester 1 (16 course hours)
- PSY 100: Introduction to Psychology (4)
- EDS 375: Intro to Teaching Exceptional Children (3)
- UK Core Composition & Communication I: CIS or WRD 110 (3)
- UK Core Quantitative Foundations: MA 111 - Introduction to Contemporary Mathematics (3)
- UK Core Social Science: EPE 174 - The College Student (3)
Semester 2 (15 course hours)
- STA 210: Statistical Inferential Reasoning (3)
- UK Core Composition & Communication II: CIS or WRD 111 (3)
- UK Core Global Dynamics (3)
- UK Core Humanities (3)
- UK Core Natural Science (3)
Year 2
Semester 3 (15 course hours)
- EDS 513: Legal Issues in Special Education (3)
- EES 160: Geology for Teachers or PHY 160 - Physics/Astronomy for Teachers (3)
- MA 201: Math for Elementary Teachers (3) (B or better required in this course)
- UK Core US Citizenship: EPE 301 - Education in American Society (3)
- Free Elective Course (3)
Semester 4 (16 course hours)
- EDS 301: Initial Practicum in Special Education (1)
- EDS 505: Preparing to Teach Diverse Learners (3)
- EDS 516: Principles of Behavior Management and Instruction (3)
- EDS 526: Intro to Special Education Assessment and Program Planning (3)
- EDS 570: Learning & Behavioral Disabilities (3)
- UK Core Arts and Creativity (3)
Year 3
Semester 5 (13 course hours)
- EDS 301: Initial Practicum in Special Education (1)
- EDS 500: Communication Strategies (3)
- EDS 547: Collaboration/Inclusion (3)
- EDS 517: Assistive Technology in Special Education (3)
- EDS 530: Moderate/Severe Disabilities (3)
Semester 6 (18 course hours)
- *EDC 326: Teaching Social Studies in Elementary Education
- *EDS 401: Intermediate Practicum in Special Education
- *EDS 518: Behavior Management in Applied Settings
- *EDS 548: Curriculum Design for Students with Moderate/Severe Disabilities
- *EDS 549: Methods for Students with Moderate/Severe Disabilities
- *SEM 328: Teaching Science in Elementary Education
Year 4
Semester 7 (15 course hours)
- *EDC 339: Designing a Reading and Language Arts Program for the Elementary School
- *EDS 402: Advanced Practicum in Special Education
- *EDS 528: Reading and Language Arts Methods for Students with Learning & Behavioral Disabilities
- *EDS 529: Educational Programming for Students with Learning & Behavioral Disabilities
- *SEM 337: Teaching Mathematics in Elementary Schools
Semester 8
- *EDS 550: Student Teaching in Special Education (12)
*Requires admission into the Teacher Education Program*
Cost of Attendance
Understand the total estimated expense to attend UK, including tuition, fees, housing, meals, books, supplies, transportation, and personal expenses.
Tuition and Fees
Understand the specific charges for instruction and related services, excluding other living and personal expenses.