School of Education & Social Sciences · Bachelor’s degree
Mild/Moderate Cross-Categorical Special Education (K–12)
Help every student find a way to learn.
Every student deserves a teacher who believes in them. MVU’s special education major prepares you to teach students with mild to moderate disabilities in grades K–12, with courses in assessment, reading and math intervention, family support, and a special education clinical experience.
120+
minimum credit hours to graduate
69
credit hours in the major
Grades K–12
Missouri certification
Student teaching
in real classrooms
Why special education
Skills to reach every learner
Learn to assess, plan, and teach for students with different needs.
Assess and plan
Learn assessment and diagnosis of exceptional students and how to plan instruction around them.
Support families
Study language development, career development, and counseling parents of children with disabilities.
Clinical experience
Complete a cross-categorical practicum, a special education clinical experience, and student teaching.
Is this program for me?
This program may be a great fit if you want to…
- Teach students with disabilities in grades K–12.
- Adapt lessons so every student can succeed.
- Partner with families and other educators.
- Earn Missouri special education certification.
What will I learn to do?
Skills you’ll practice and grow
- Assess and diagnose students’ learning needs.
- Teach reading and math to students who struggle.
- Use methods for cross-categorical special education.
- Support language development and career development.
- Work with parents of children with disabilities.
How the degree works
Your path to the classroom
Here’s how the degree is built. Your advisor helps you plan each term.
01
General education core
At least 42 credit hours across writing, speaking, math, science, social science, and the humanities.
02
Apply to teacher education
After 30 credit hours, apply to the teacher education program (see the requirements below).
03
Education and content courses
Take education courses, practicums, and clinical experiences, plus your special education courses.
04
Student teach and get certified
Student teach, pass the Missouri Content Assessment, and apply for your Missouri certificate.
About certification: MVU’s teacher education programs are approved by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). A degree isn’t a teaching license. After you complete the program and pass the Missouri Content Assessment (MCA) and DESE’s required exit assessment, you apply to Missouri for your certificate. Planning to teach in another state? Check with that state’s education agency.
Explore the curriculum
What you’ll study
Here are the courses in the major. Your advisor helps you plan the order.
Special education courses (69 credit hours)
- EDUC 100 Introduction to Teaching
- EDUC 260 Education of the Exceptional Child
- EDUC 265 Introduction to Cross Categorical Special Education
- EDUC 268 Career Development
- EDUC 290 Reading Practicum (2 credits)
- EDUC 292 Cross Categorical Special Education Practicum (1 credit)
- EDUC 300 Instructional Methodology
- EDUC 307 Classroom Environment (2 credits)
- EDUC 310 Integration of Technology in the Classroom
- EDUC 311 Educational Psychology
- EDUC 320 Integration of Children’s Literature and Language Arts
- EDUC 330 Methods of Teaching Elementary Mathematics
- EDUC 331 Teaching Reading in the Elementary Schools
- EDUC 334 Diagnosis and Remediation of Reading Difficulties
- EDUC 335 Classroom Assessment (2 credits)
- EDUC 340 Methods of Teaching Elementary Social Studies and Science
- EDUC 353 Special Education Clinical Experience (4 credits)
- EDUC 360 Language Development for the Exceptional Child (2 credits)
- EDUC 362 Counseling Parents of Children with Disabilities (2 credits)
- EDUC 365 Assessment and Diagnosis of Exceptional Students
- EDUC 366 Diagnosis and Remediation of Math Difficulties
- EDUC 367 Methods of Teaching Cross Categorical Special Education (2 credits)
- EDUC 415 Student Teaching Seminar (1 credit)
- EDUC 495 Student Teaching in Cross Categorical Special Education (6 credits)
- PSYC 270 Child and Adolescent Psychology
Admission to the teacher education program
- At least 30 credit hours completed
- Passing scores on all sections of the Missouri General Education Assessment (MoGEA)
- A GPA of 3.0 or higher overall, in your content area, and in education courses, and an ACT score of at least 20
- A C or better in ENGL 160, COMM 100, and EDUC 100
- An application to the Education office by March 15 (for fall) or November 15 (for spring)
- A writing sample, plus any required remediation
- Proof of current CPR certification
- See the teacher education handbook for student teaching standards
General education core (at least 42 credit hours)
- Social and behavioral science (9 hours) from at least two subjects, including one constitution course: HIST 104, HIST 105, or POLS 100
- Written communication (6 hours): ENGL 130 Rhetoric and Composition, plus ENGL 160 or HONR 190
- Oral communication (3 hours), such as COMM 100 Public Speaking & Introduction to Communication
- Natural science: 7 hours from at least two subjects, including a lab (BS); 3 hours (BA and BFA)
- Mathematics (3 hours)
- Humanities and fine arts: 9 hours (BS) or 12 hours (BA and BFA) from at least three subjects, covering the arts and creativity, ethics, and culture and society
- Additional general education from any area, to reach at least 42 hours
- Plus one Writing Intensive (WI) course and one Service Learning (SL) course, which can overlap with other requirements
Graduation requirements
- Complete at least 120 credit hours with a GPA of 2.0 or higher.
- Earn a major GPA of 2.0 or higher, with no grade below C and no pass/fail grades in the major.
- Complete at least 36 credit hours of upper-division (300- and 400-level) courses.
- Complete your last 30 credit hours, and at least 12 hours of your major, at MVU.
- Complete the major assessment requirement.
- Apply for graduation and pay the $100 graduation fee.
Getting started
Three steps to begin
Applying to MVU is free, and most students finish the application in a few minutes.
02
Send your transcripts
Send your high school transcript, plus official transcripts from any college or dual credit courses. Transferring? See the transfer steps.
03
Plan how you’ll pay
Explore scholarships, grants, and loans on Tuition & Financial Aid, or request information for current tuition.
When do I apply to the teacher education program?
After you’ve completed at least 30 credit hours and met the admission requirements. Applications are due March 15 for fall and November 15 for spring. See “Admission to the teacher education program” in the curriculum section.
Will I be certified to teach?
The program prepares you for Missouri certification. After you finish, pass the Missouri Content Assessment (MCA) and DESE’s exit assessment, you apply to the state for your certificate.
Can I add a minor or a second major?
Yes. A minor is optional and appears on your transcript; it must be in a different subject than your major. You can also double major by completing all the requirements for both majors. You’ll receive one diploma.
What do I need to graduate?
- At least 120 credit hours with a GPA of 2.0 or higher.
- A C or higher in every major course.
- At least 36 upper-division credit hours.
- Your last 30 credit hours at MVU.
- An application for graduation and the $100 graduation fee.
Talk with the Dean
Have questions about courses, student teaching, or how to plan your degree? Reach out. We’re happy to talk through your goals.
Special Education (K–12)