Bachelor in Special Education and Teaching (Bachelor's)

Tuition is Tuition and fees are subject to change and are based on residency status and credit load. For the most current rates, visit the university's financial aid website..

Students complete multiple field-based experiences starting in their first year, including over 150 hours in school settings before student teaching. They engage in practicum placements and a semester-long student teaching assignment in public schools, intermediate units, or approved private schools across select Pennsylvania counties. The programme emphasizes hands-on training in inclusive classrooms and specialized instruction for students with disabilities. Faculty members are experienced educators with backgrounds in PK-12 teaching, supervision, and administration.

Focus areas include Special education law and regulations, Etiology and eligibility of disabilities, Accommodations and modifications for diverse learners, Social, emotional, and mental health support, Trauma-informed practices, Behavior intervention strategies.

The programme requires a total of 120 credits, including general education, major-specific coursework, and field experiences. Students complete 150+ hours of school-based experiences prior to student teaching, with a semester-long student teaching placement in their senior year.

Graduates enter roles as special education teachers, resource teachers, behavior specialists, early intervention specialists, and educational consultants in public and private school settings.

Applicants must have a high school diploma or equivalent. First-year students need to submit official transcripts and meet minimum GPA and test score requirements. Transfer students must have completed at least 12 college credits with a minimum GPA of 2.5.

The programme totals about 120 credit hours. On-campus, full-time, typically four years. For international students, tuition is below the median for US programmes. The institution admits about 95% of applicants.

Commonwealth University builds on the legacies of historic institutions across Northern Pennsylvania. Its campuses in Bloomsburg, Lock Haven, Mansfield, and Clearfield combine the resources of a large public university with the campus life of smaller schools. Students can choose from undergraduate, graduate, and workforce development programs.

Academic offerings span the Zeigler College of Business; the College of Health, Science, and Technology; and the College of Arts, Humanities, Education, and Social Sciences. Professional preparation includes employer involvement, career fairs, clinical experiences, and opportunities to build connections through an alumni network of more than 145,000 members. Health-related study is a visible strength, with programs including respiratory care, athletic training, audiology, and biological and health sciences.

Bloomsburg sits in northeastern Pennsylvania on the northern bank of the Susquehanna River, in the Susquehanna Valley. The campus is large, built on a hill above the town. International students can also consider the setting and scale of the other locations: Lock Haven is a midsize campus, Mansfield offers a small campus in a rural area suited to outdoor activities, and Clearfield provides an intimate campus and focused learning environment. Together, the campuses offer more than 70 academic programs and options for different study and living preferences.