Special Education Minor

Minor

As a BU Pilot elementary teacher, you will be prepared to lead as well as master the most current research-based knowledge of instruction and curriculum for special education students. Bethel enjoys partnerships with area school districts. Throughout the Teacher Preparation Program, you will gain hundreds of hours of classroom experience, including a 12- to 15-week Student Teaching experience and a full-day kindergarten classroom experience in partnership with the School City of Mishawaka.

An effective teacher’s development includes acquiring the necessary skills, knowledge, and disposition to teach in a classroom or online setting. Bethel’s programs continually seek ways to ensure our teacher candidates receive the best instruction based on the latest educational research.

Bethel University academics psychology

12- to 15-week

student teaching placements

11:1

student-to-faculty ratio

100%

of students receive some form of financial assistance

Special Education Minor

Introductory Courses focus on subjects that teachers need to succeed in their field. They typically include:

  • Foundations of Education: An introduction for teacher candidates to the profession of education.
  • School-Age Growth and Development: An examination of the prevailing philosophies and theories of child development.
  • Educational Pedagogy I: Introduces teacher candidates to theories and research concerning teaching and learning.
  • Diversity in the Classroom: An examination of students from diverse cultural, racial, economic and language groups – as well as students with physical, psycho-social and intellectual exceptionalities.

Higher-Level Courses continue to prepare you for the tasks and challenges of the classroom. You will be studying:

  • Child/Adolescent Development, Motivation and Learning: An exploration of the social, physical, emotional and intellectual growth of children as related to learning and the motivation to learn.
  • Effective Practices: Planning, Instruction and Assessment: An examination of the effective practices and the challenges of the modern classroom – including the ability to modify instruction for learners with needs outside of mainstream instructional practices.
  • Community-Building for Effective Classroom Management: An exploration of the strategies for fostering a sense of community in the classroom and developing positive relationships with and among students.
  • Exploring Dimensions of Literacy through an in-depth study of literacy development and the strategies for helping students learn to read and develop vocabulary, comprehension, fluency, writing skills, content-area literacy and media literacy.
  • Instruction and Assessment: An in-depth study of teaching strategies designed to ensure mastery of content and help students become effective citizens of a democratic and culturally diverse society.

Prepare for an exciting future as a/an:

  • Teacher
  • Curriculum Specialist
  • Instructional Coordinator/Specialist
  • Academic Coach
  • Educational Consultant
  • Child Care Director
  • Camp Director

Recent graduates have found positions in a variety of schools/corporations including:

  • Penn-Harris-Madison
  • School City of Mishawaka
  • Concord Community Schools
  • Elkhart Christian Academy

You’ll gain career-shaping skills such as:

  • How to teach in a classroom.
  • Social, political, economic, and historical issues within schools.
  • The prevailing philosophies and theories of child development.
  • Theories and research concerning teaching and learning.
  • An examination of students from diverse cultural, racial, economic, and language groups – as well as students with physical, psycho-social and intellectual exceptionalities.
  • The social, physical, emotional and intellectual growth of children as related to learning and the motivation to learn.
  • Effective practices and adaptations for challenges of the modern classroom.
  • Strategies for fostering a sense of community in the classroom and developing positive relationships with and among students.
  • How to help students learn to read and develop vocabulary, comprehension, fluency, writing skills, content-area literacy and media literacy.
19.03.27 Bethel strong academics

Special Education Minor Highlights

Be prepared to lead as you master the most current research-based knowledge of instruction and curriculum for special education students. Gain hundreds of hours of classroom experience through the teacher preparation program, including a 12- to 15-week student teaching experience and a full-day kindergarten classroom in partnership with the School City of Mishawaka.

An effective teacher’s development includes acquiring the necessary skills, knowledge, and disposition to teach in a classroom or online setting. Bethel’s programs continually seek ways to ensure our teacher candidates receive the best instruction based on the latest educational research.

Also Consider These Areas of Study

As you’re pursuing a career in special education, you may also look at the following degrees:

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Obtaining a License in Another State

The State of Indiana has a compact agreement with most states. That means that if you hold a valid Indiana license, it should be relatively easy to obtain a license in most states. It is important to obtain your Indiana license first. Other states may have different requirements than Indiana regarding coursework, testing or GPA.

To obtain information for out-of-state licensing, please contact the Department of Education within the state you are seeking licensure. Please visit the United States Department of Education website and select the particular state of interest for license requirements and application procedures.

For current information regarding out-of-state licensing, please visit the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC) website.

Have questions? Please contact the Bethel University Education Department, Licensing Advisor.

Take the Next Step

Take the first step toward your Bethel University minor in special education. Visit campus, apply, request information or ask questions about financial aid.