This bachelor's degree is designed to prepare both educators for the classroom and individuals working in a special education context outside of the classroom with the specialized skills and content knowledge needed to support the needs of individuals with disabilities. Students may focus their program on a specific area in the field by completing a teacher licensure concentration (i.e., Teaching Students with Disabilities who Access the General Curriculum K-12, Teaching Students with Disabilities who Access the Adapted Curriculum K-12, Teaching Students with Blindness and Visual Impairments PK-12) or a non-licensure sequence to fulfill the requirements for the BSEd in Special Education degree program.

Admissions

Students with an interest in majoring in Special Education will initially be accepted into the Special Education, BSEd, without concentration.

Four-Year Students

To declare a concentration in General K-12 Licensure, Adapted K-12 Licensure, or Blindness and Visual Impairments PK-12 Licensure, four-year students must: 

  • complete a minimum of 45 credits
  • attain a cumulative GPA of 2.50

Degree-Seeking Transfer Students

To declare a concentration in General K-12 Licensure, Adapted K-12 Licensure, or Blindness and Visual Impairments PK-12 Licensure, transfer students must: 

  • complete a minimum of 45 credits
  • earn either a cumulative GPA of 2.50 from their previous institution or a minimum of a 2.50 GPA of at least 12 credits at Mason

Policies

Students in the licensure concentrations must maintain at least a 2.50 GPA and earn a C or better in their program core and concentration coursework. Prior to applying for internships students in all licensure concentrations, must successfully complete:

  • Emergency First Aid, CPR and AED certification or training 
  • Virginia Communication & Literacy Assessment (VCLA)

Students enrolled in the General K-12 Licensure concentration must also complete:

  • Praxis Teaching Reading: Elementary

Students enrolled in the Blindness and Visual Impairments PK-12 Licensure concentration must also complete:

  • Praxis II: Braille Proficiency
  • Praxis Teaching Reading: Elementary

Licensure testing requirements are determined by the Commonwealth of Virginia and may change at any time. If changes to these requirements occur, students must meet the current testing and licensure requirements as set forth in the legal Code of Virginia.

Banner Code: E1-BSED-EDSE

Degree Requirements

Total credits: 120

Mason Core

Foundation Requirements:
Written Communication3
ENGH 101
Composition (Mason Core) (recommended course)
Oral Communication3
Quantitative Reasoning3
Information Technology and Computing3
Exploration Requirements:
Arts3
Global Understanding3
Literature3
Natural Science7
Social and Behavioral Sciences3
Global History3
Integration Requirement:
Written Communication3
ENGH 302
Advanced Composition (Mason Core)
Writing Intensive (fulfilled by major requirements)
Synthesis/Capstone (fulfilled by major requirements)
Total Credits37

Program Core Requirements

EDUC 200Introduction to Education: Teaching, Learning and Schools (Mason Core)3
EDUC 302Human Growth and Development3
or PSYC 211 Lifespan Development (Mason Core)
EDSE 201Introduction to Special Education3
EDSE 251Classroom Management and Positive Behavior Supports3
EDSE 351Technology Integration for Specialized Instruction3
EDSE 352Assessment3
EDSE 353Individualized Behavior Supports3
EDSE 354Consultation and Collaboration3
EDSE 381Exploratory Field Experience in Special Education3
EDSE 451Transition and Self-Determination3
EDSE 452Intersectionality and Disability (Mason Core)3
EDSE 481Internship: Professional Services (Mason Core) 112
or EDSE 482 Internship: General Curriculum (Mason Core)
or EDSE 483 Internship: Adapted (Severe Disabilities)
or EDSE 484 Internship: Blindness and Visual Impairments
Total Credits45
1

Students enrolled in the BSEd without concentration must successfully complete EDSE 481 Internship: Professional Services (Mason Core). EDSE 482 Internship: General Curriculum (Mason Core) is required for students in the General K12 concentration. EDSE 483 Internship: Adapted (Severe Disabilities) (Mason Core) is required for students in the Adapted K-12 concentration. EDSE 484 Internship: Blindness and Visual Impairments (Mason Core) is required for students in the Blindness and Visual Impairments concentration. 

BSEd in Special Education without Concentration

Students who do not select an optional concentration must complete the special education core and select at least 15 credits from the special education offerings below (NOTE: A minimum of 45 upper-level credits in the major is required):

Select 15 credits from the following:15
EDSE 203
Disability in American Culture (Mason Core)
EDSE 204
Disability in Global Contexts (Mason Core)
EDSE 230
Introduction to Autism Spectrum Disorders (Mason Core)
EDSE 241
Characteristics of Students with Disabilities who Access the General Curriculum
EDSE 311
Characteristics of Students with Blindness and Visual Impairments
EDSE 341
Language Acquisition and Reading and Writing Development
EDSE 361
Characteristics of Students with Severe Disabilities
EDSE 362
Communication with Severe Disabilities
EDSE 410
Deaf History
EDSE 412
Braille Code
EDSE 413
Medical and Educational Implications of Blindness and Visual Impairments
EDSE 414
Orientation and Mobility for Students with Blindness and Visual Impairments
EDSE 417
Teaching Methods for Students with Blindness and Visual Impairments
EDSE 418
Curriculum and Assessment of Students with Blindness and Visual Impairments
EDSE 419
Braille Reading and Writing
EDSE 420
Deaf History and Culture
EDSE 441
Instructional Strategies for Reading and Writing
EDSE 443
Instructional Strategies for Math
EDSE 463
Curriculum and Methods in Severe Disabilities
EDSE 467
Foundations of Language and Literacy for Individuals with Severe Disabilities
EDSE 469
Individualized Supports and Specialized Care of Students with Severe Disabilities
EDAT 422
Assistive Technology for Individuals with Sensory Impairments
Additional EDSE or EDAT courses with advisor approval
Total Credits15

Electives

Select an additional 23 credits from any courses.23
Total Credits23

Concentration in General K-12 Licensure (GLIC)

EDSE 241Characteristics of Students with Disabilities who Access the General Curriculum3
EDSE 341Language Acquisition and Reading and Writing Development3
EDSE 441Instructional Strategies for Reading and Writing3
EDSE 443Instructional Strategies for Math3
EDSE 445Clinical Practice and Seminar 1: General3
EDSE 446Clinical Practice and Seminar 2: General3
Total Credits18

Electives

Select an additional 20 credits from any courses.20
Total Credits20

Concentration in Adapted K-12 Licensure (ALIC)

EDSE 361Characteristics of Students with Severe Disabilities3
EDSE 362Communication with Severe Disabilities3
EDSE 463Curriculum and Methods in Severe Disabilities3
EDSE 465Clinical Practice and Seminar 1: Adapted (Severe Disabilities)3
EDSE 466Clinical Practice and Seminar 2: Adapted (Severe Disabilities)3
EDSE 467Foundations of Language and Literacy for Individuals with Severe Disabilities3
EDSE 469Individualized Supports and Specialized Care of Students with Severe Disabilities3
Total Credits21

Electives

Select an additional 17 credits from any courses.17
Total Credits17

Concentration in Blindness and Visual Impairments PK-12 Licensure (BVI)

EDSE 311Characteristics of Students with Blindness and Visual Impairments3
EDSE 341Language Acquisition and Reading and Writing Development3
EDSE 412Braille Code3
EDSE 413Medical and Educational Implications of Blindness and Visual Impairments3
EDSE 414Orientation and Mobility for Students with Blindness and Visual Impairments2
EDSE 417Teaching Methods for Students with Blindness and Visual Impairments3
EDSE 418Curriculum and Assessment of Students with Blindness and Visual Impairments3
EDSE 419Braille Reading and Writing3
EDAT 422Assistive Technology for Individuals with Sensory Impairments3
Total Credits26

Electives 

Select an additional 12 credits from any course.12
Total Credits12

Bachelor of Science in Education, Special Education Sample Plan of Study

The sample plan below is a recommended sequencing of courses based on pre-requisites and scheduling. This may not fit every student's needs and is a guideline, not a requirement. Students should confirm major requirements with their academic advisor and with PatriotWeb Degree Evaluation to ensure they enroll in the proper courses and are on track to graduate.

BSEd in Special Education without Concentration

First Year
Fall SemesterCreditsSpring SemesterCredits
EDUC 2003EDSE 2013
Mason Core/Electives12Mason Core/Electives12
 15 15
Second Year
Fall SemesterCreditsSpring SemesterCredits
EDSE 2513EDSE 3533
EDSE 3813Mason Core/Electives12
PSYC 211 or EDUC 3023 
Mason Core/Electives6 
 15 15
Third Year
Fall SemesterCreditsSpring SemesterCredits
EDSE 3523EDSE 4513
Electives in the major3Electives in the major6
Mason Core/Electives9General Electives6
 15 15
Fourth Year
Fall SemesterCreditsSpring SemesterCredits
EDSE 3543EDSE 48112
EDSE 4523EDSE 3513
Electives in the major6 
General Electives3 
 15 15
Total Credits 120

Detailed four year plans and degree planning checklists can be found at https://advising.gmu.edu/academic-planning/.

Concentration in General K-12 Licensure

First Year
Fall SemesterCreditsSpring SemesterCredits
EDUC 2003EDSE 2013
Mason Core/Electives12Mason Core/Electives12
 15 15
Second Year
Fall SemesterCreditsSpring SemesterCredits
EDSE 2513EDSE 2413
EDSE 3813EDSE 3533
PSYC 211 or EDUC 3023Mason Core/Electives9
Mason Core/Electives6 
 15 15
Third Year
Fall SemesterCreditsSpring SemesterCredits
EDSE 3523EDSE 3413
Mason Core/Electives12EDSE 4433
 EDSE 4453
 EDSE 4513
 General Electives3
 15 15
Fourth Year
Fall SemesterCreditsSpring SemesterCredits
EDSE 3543EDSE 48212
EDSE 4413EDSE 3513
EDSE 4463 
EDSE 4523 
General Electives3 
 15 15
Total Credits 120

Detailed four year plans and degree planning checklists can be found at https://advising.gmu.edu/academic-planning/.

Concentration in Adapted K-12 Licensure

First Year
Fall SemesterCreditsSpring SemesterCredits
EDUC 2003EDSE 2013
Mason Core/Electives12Mason Core/Electives12
 15 15
Second Year
Fall SemesterCreditsSpring SemesterCredits
EDSE 2513EDSE 3533
EDSE 3813EDSE 3613
PSYC 211 or EDUC 3023Mason Core/Electives9
Mason Core/Electives6 
 15 15
Third Year
Fall SemesterCreditsSpring SemesterCredits
EDSE 3523EDSE 4513
EDSE 3623EDSE 4633
Mason Core/Electives9EDSE 4653
 General Electives6
 15 15
Fourth Year
Fall SemesterCreditsSpring SemesterCredits
EDSE 3543EDSE 48312
EDSE 4523EDSE 3513
EDSE 4663 
EDSE 4673 
EDSE 4693 
 15 15
Total Credits 120

Detailed four year plans and degree planning checklists can be found at https://advising.gmu.edu/academic-planning/.

Concentration in Blindness and Visual Impairments PK-12 Licensure

First Year
Fall SemesterCreditsSpring SemesterCredits 
EDUC 2003EDSE 2013 
Mason Core/Electives12Mason Core/Electives12 
 15 15 
Second Year
Fall SemesterCreditsSpring SemesterCreditsSummer Semester TwoCredits
EDSE 2513EDSE 3533EDSE 4142
EDSE 3113Mason Core/Electives12 
EDSE 3813  
PSYC 211 or EDUC 3023  
Mason Core/Electives1  
 13 15 2
Third Year
Fall SemesterCreditsSpring SemesterCreditsSummer Semester TwoCredits
EDSE 3523EDSE 3413EDSE 4173
EDSE 4123EDSE 4183 
Mason Core/Electives6EDSE 4193 
 EDSE 4513 
 General Electives3 
 12 15 3
Fourth Year
Fall SemesterCreditsSpring SemesterCredits 
EDAT 4223EDSE 48412 
EDSE 3543EDSE 3513 
EDSE 4133  
EDSE 4523  
General Electives3  
 15 15 
Total Credits 120

Detailed four year plans and degree planning checklists can be found at https://advising.gmu.edu/academic-planning/.