Special Education, Bachelor of Science in Education
The undergraduate special education program is a competitive major that will prepare you to meet the educational needs of diverse learners with disabilities. Specifically, this program will prepare you with the skills to earn an intervention specialist license to teach children who have learning, behavior, or developmental disabilities in a variety of settings and across a wide range of ages/grades.
Intervention Specialist Licensure Options
Please visit the links below to see curriculum sheets for each specialty.
Prepared to teach in preschool and elementary classrooms, providing instruction to children with and without disabilities. Graduates will complete coursework toward two teaching licenses: Primary Education (P-5) and Primary Intervention Specialist (P-5). Significant field experiences are integrated throughout the program in a variety of settings and complete major course assignments in those settings.
Prepared with the skills and license to teach K-12 children, and up to age 21 within schools, who have learning or mild to intensive intellectual disabilities. Teachers with this specialization use instructional strategies to develop individual learning plans for students. They also use co-teaching methods to maximize the learning potential for students with mild to intensive disabilities.
Student Testimonial
“The Special Education program has provided me with numerous hands-on learning experiences. I participated in internships with four different school districts. Each school placement helped me learn new ways to educate students of all abilities. At the same time, the outstanding professors throughout the program helped ease my transition into my career path. I now know that after graduation, I want to teach in a middle school as an intervention specialist. And it is all thanks to this amazing program.”
As an atypical transfer student (married, commuter, older than a typical college student), I was hesitant entering Ohio State University. My experience has surpassed every expectation, better than I could have ever imagined! The academic advising team, special education department, and faculty saw me as a whole person and met my individual needs! If you are thinking of entering into the Special Education program here at OSU know that you will be seen, heard, and have the opportunity to encounter life-shaping educational experiences! #ProudToBeABuckeye
FAQ
Students interested in the OSU Special Education BSEd program want to know "What is special about this special education program?" Below are questions you might be asking yourself about this program.
The BSEd is largely a face-to-face program. Students will spend time on campus and in field experiences learning from and engaging with professors, peers, school professionals and children. To provide some flexibility to students, there are also some on-line and hybrid courses distributed throughout the program.
The BSEd program is designed to be completed within four years with full-time enrollment. Students who successfully complete coursework, field experiences and key assessments will be eligible for intervention specialist licensure in the state of Ohio.
There is a significant need for special education teachers (intervention specialists), both within Ohio and across the nation. All students who wanted a teaching position and have completed this program with their teaching license have found employment upon or shortly after graduation.
Ohio State's undergraduate licensure program is unique in that the field experiences provided far exceed the state's minimum requirements. The best learning will happen when students are working in real schools with real children and teachers. These experiences will begin in the first year, gradually allowing for more independence, and culminating in a full-time student teaching experience.
In addition to the coursework and field experiences required for all students, OSU special education students will earn at least one Advanced Study Badge. Earning a badge (or more than one) will allow students to specialize in an area of interest (e.g., autism spectrum disorder, learning disabilities). These badges include coursework but also honor work students are doing on their own outside of school (e.g., working with a child on the autism spectrum and their family as a registered behavior technician [RBT], tutoring a student with dyslexia). Although some of the activities needed to earn the badges are pre-determined, many will allow flexibility, choice and creativity.
Almost all special education courses in this program are taught by OSU special education faculty. These faculty have experience teaching children and youth with disabilities in a variety of settings, have doctoral degrees in special education, are leading researchers in the field, are dedicated to teacher education, care deeply about their OSU students and the children they will teach and are committed to supporting teacher candidates in becoming effective educators.
There are several student organizations that align with special education students' interests. Some of these include Autism Speaks U, Best Buddies, Special Olympics, Voyage and Buckeyes for Accessibility. For more information and to check the status of active organizations, visit the student organizations website. In addition to joining student organizations, the special education program organizes a few social events each year to encourage cross-cohort interaction, support and collaboration.
In addition to scholarships offered through OSU, there are a few scholarships specially designated for special education teacher licensure candidates. We are currently piloting a program that would allow students to participate in paid positions as part of their field experiences as well.
Student Opportunities
Matches Ohio State Students with children with special healthcare needs, primarily autism, developmental disabilities, and downs syndrome to grow friendships and allow for more social opportunities.
Best Buddies is a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities by providing opportunities for one-to-one friendships.
Spread awareness about Special Olympics, coach teams and volunteer at official events. The group also engages in activities to encourage inclusion, advocacy and respect for mental and physical disabilities.
Career Paths
Graduates who earn their licenses go on to teach primarily in public schools. Some also have careers in private schools or clinical settings.
Licensure disclosure
Ohio State academic programs are designed to prepare students for licensure or certification in Ohio. If you plan to pursue licensure or certification in a state other than Ohio, please review state educational requirements for licensure and certification at go.osu.edu/onground.
Get in touch with advising team.