Special Education (B.A.)
Website: https://www.fgcu.edu/coe/programs/undergraduateprograms/specialeducation-ba.aspx
Program Description
The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Special Education prepares students to earn certification in Exceptional Student Education, grades K-12, which covers teaching children with emotional and behavioral disorders, developmental/intellectual disabilities, specific learning disabilities, and physical and health disabilities. Field experiences are central to the special education program and begin in the first semester with increasing involvement throughout the program. English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) endorsement and Reading endorsements are also embedded in the program. Coursework and extensive field experiences enable students to dynamically integrate theory and teaching practices. Competencies include content-specific knowledge applicable to the unique developmental needs of this population including a thorough understanding of individual differences, and skills to work with children in individual ways, particularly ESOL students, students experiencing difficulty in learning to read with an emphasis on capabilities of teachers to work with children with atypical abilities and special needs.
Program Progression and Additional Graduation Requirements
In addition to the program requirements, students must:
- Complete all program coursework with a minimum grade of C.
- Pass all required FTCE exams (General Knowledge, Subject Area, and Professional Education).
- Complete a minimum of 120 credits.
- Complete a minimum of 42 of the 120 credits at the upper division (3000-4999 level).
- Earn a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher for this certified program degree.
- Satisfy the College-Level skills and foreign language admission requirements.
- Satisfy the Service-Learning requirement.
- Satisfy the Civic Literacy requirement.
- Satisfy the residency requirement: 30 of the last 60 credits must be completed at FGCU.
- Complete the summer course enrollment requirement.
- Submit an Application for Graduation by the deadline listed in the FGCU Academic Calendar.