Special Education Licensure, SPED
Leads to Licensure
Online
Adult & Graduate Studies (AGS)
Bethel University’s Special Education Licensure program equips working teachers to serve students with mild disabilities. An 18-credit curriculum plus a targeted internship builds skills in ethics, assessment, instructional planning, evidence-based intervention, collaboration and advocacy.
7
week sessions
6
start dates each year
Aug 23
next start date for AGS programs
Special Education Licensure, SPED
Bethel’s Special Education Licensure program is designed for licensed teachers who want to expand their impact by serving students with mild disabilities. This 18-credit program includes 15 credits of focused coursework and a 3-credit internship, providing a state-of-the-art curriculum in ethics and professional values, social and environmental interaction, instructional planning, evidence-based practice and targeted intervention. You’ll graduate prepared to support diverse learners and collaborate effectively with families, colleagues and support teams.
Program Courses (15 Credits):
- SPED 505: Foundations, Theories, Laws, Professional Values, Ethics (3)
- SPED 515: Social, Behavioral, & Environmental Interaction (3)
- SPED 520: Instructional Planning & Delivery: Evidence-Based Practice (3)
- SPED 530: Reading & Writing Difficulties: Assessment & Intervention (3)
- SPED 535: Communication, Technology, and Mentorship (3)
Graduates are prepared for roles such as:
- Elementary Special Education Teacher
- Middle School Special Education Teacher
- Director of Special Education
- Special Education Coordinator
- Intervention Specialist
- Resource Room or Inclusion Teacher
What you’ll experience:
- A focused 18-credit plan built specifically for teachers pursuing a special education license
- Coursework in foundations, theories, laws, professional values and ethics in special education
- Training in social, behavioral and environmental interaction to support positive learning climates
- Instructional planning and delivery grounded in evidence-based practices
- Preparation to address reading and writing difficulties through assessment and targeted intervention
- Learning in communication, assistive technology and mentorship to support students and colleagues
- A guided internship that connects theory to real-world special education settings
Obtaining a License in Another State:
Indiana participates in a license reciprocity compact with most states. If you hold a valid Indiana license, obtaining a license elsewhere is often straightforward. First obtain your Indiana license, then review the specific requirements of the state where you seek licensure, as coursework, testing or GPA expectations may differ.
For state-specific guidance, contact the Department of Education in the state where you plan to apply: https://www.ed.gov/about/contacts/state/index.html
For current information on interstate reciprocity and licensure mobility, visit the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC): https://www.nasdtec.net/
Still deciding?
Meet Our Faculty
Jim Bennett, M.S.Ed., Ed.D
Program Director of Education; Department Chair of Education
Take the Next Step
Take the first step toward your Bethel University master’s degree in special education.