Special Education Bachelor of Science

Eligibility for entry into the Special Education program is based on set criteria.
 

• Cumulative grade-point average of 3.00 is required (all PA teacher preparation programs require a 3.0 at entry and exit of program.)
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• Applicants must complete a number of prerequisite courses and other requirements. The following courses must be passed with a grade of "C" or better: ENGL 015, MATH 200, PSYCH 100, EDTHP 115, EDPSY 101, EDPSY 010 or 011, PSYCH 212, A Literature Selection, EDPSY 014, and CI 280.
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• The applicant must present documentation of at least 40 hours of volunteer or paid work experience in two different settings with individuals with exceptionalities; at least 20 of the 40 hours must be with individuals from underrepresented groups.

Students may be admitted to the program by declaring Special Education as a major, transferring from a previously declared major, or transferring from another institution of higher education.

Students cannot be formally admitted to Special Education before their fifth semester.

Students are assigned to one selection pool. For example, Freshmen admitted in the summer or fall of 2024 are automatically assigned to the spring 2026 selection pool. Students who wish to transfer into Special Education for another major or university will be assigned to a selection pool based on the total number of credits they have earned and their completion of College of Education prerequisite courses.

Admission is based on review of records for completion of courses, GPA, and entrance to major requirements. See Undergraduate Admissions for general information on how to obtain a B.S. degree at Penn State.

During their first four semesters, students should complete as many of the University's General Education requirements as possible. Courses (other than Special Education courses) prescribed by the program must also be completed (see the checksheet) It is important for you to schedule your courses in the correct sequence and follow the prerequisites that are listed in the Baccalaureate Degree Programs Bulletin.

Fifth Semester (19 credits)
 

1. SPLED 395W (3)
2. SPLED 401 (4)
3. SPLED 410 (3)
4. SPLED 415 3)
5. SPLED 418 (3)
6. SPLED 425 (3)

Sixth Semester (15 credits)
 

1. SPLED 404 (3)
2. SPLED 411 (3)
3. SPLED 412 (3)
4. SPLED 454 (3)
5. SPLED 495E (3)

Seventh Semester (15 credits)
 

1. SPLED 409A, B, C (9)
2. SPLED 495G (4)
3. ENGL 202A or B (3)

Eighth Semester (15 credits)
 

1. SPLED 495D (3)
2. SPLED 495F (12)

The following courses are prescribed in the Special Education B.S. program. Some of these courses also meet general education requirements established by the University and, therefore, satisfy two requirements or "count twice."

• MATH 200 - GQ (meets GenEd quantification requirement and is a prerequisite to SPLED 409) (3)

• PSYCH 100 (meets GenEd Social and Behavioral Science requirement and is a required for admission to the Special Education major) (3)

• EDTHP 115 (required for admission to the College of Education) (3)

• ENGL 15 (required for admission to the College of Education) (3)

• EDPSY 101 - GQ (meets GenEd quantification requirement and is a prerequisite to SPLED 454) (3)

• EDPSY 010 or 011 (required for admission to the Special Education major) (3)

• PSYCH 212 (meets GenEd Social and Behavioral Science requirement and is required for admission to the Special Education major) (3)

• Literature Selection (meets General Humanities requirement and is required for admission into the College of Education) (3) List of courses can be found here https://sites.psu.edu/educationadvising/

• EDPSY 014 (required for admission to the College of Education) (3)

• CI 280 (meets General Humanities requirement and is required for admission into the Special Education major) (3)

• Special Education Elective Course (Student chooses 1 course for elective from the following list: SPLED461, SPLED462, CSD218, RHS402, RHS403, RHS404, RHS410, RHS433 to be competed prior to graduation) (3)