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Earn Your Special Education Degree | Prepare to Make a Profound Impact


Empower Every Learner

Become a Certified Special Education Educator.

Western Kentucky University's unique dual certification program prepares you for a rewarding career, equipping you to teach students with diverse learning needs. We provide the pedagogical skills and specialized knowledge to create inclusive and effective classrooms where every child can thrive.

  • ✔ Change Lives, Including Your Own
  • ✔ Make a Profound Impact
  • ✔ Become a Highly Qualified Educator

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What You'll Learn & Experience

Become an impactful teacher and leader for students with diverse learning needs. At WKU, our Special Education program equips you with essential tools and a profound understanding. Your comprehensive coursework covers evidence-based practices, differentiated instruction, core elementary content, and strategies for learning and behavior disabilities. Then, extensive real-world classroom experiences build your confidence to inspire, include, and effectively teach every learner.

Learn by Doing

Get classroom-ready with real-world practice. WKU’s TOP PREP initiative embeds hands-on field experiences directly into your learning. You’ll participate in co-teaching alongside our expert faculty in local schools to prepare you for the realities of teaching. Work directly with students of all abilities, applying your skills and building confidence every step of the way.

Career Outcomes

Your Path to a Rewarding Career in Special Education.

Graduates of WKU’s Special Education program go on to make a lasting impact in classrooms and communities across the region.

9.4%

Data for Projected Growth sourced from Bureau of Labor Statistics and Steppingblocks, a graduate insights software that analyzes the top employers for WKU Education major graduates.

  • Jefferson County Public Schools
  • Warren County Schools
  • Fayette County Public Schools
  • Oldham County Schools
  • Bowling Green Independent Schools

Data for Top Employers sourced from Bureau of Labor Statistics and Steppingblocks, a graduate insights software that analyzes the top employers for WKU Education major graduates.

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Course Spotlight: Your Learning Journey

Get a glimpse into the engaging and practical courses you'll take in our Special Education program. Here are a few examples designed to equip you with the skills to support diverse learners from P-12 in Special Education (LBD) and P-5 in Elementary Education settings:

Foundations of Special Education

SPED 335 | 3 Credit Hours

Start your journey into special education! Explore the history, laws, and core methods for effectively planning, assessing, and teaching P-12 students in LBD programs.

LBD Elementary Instructional Methods

SPED 340 | 3 Credit Hours

Master research-backed strategies to teach elementary students with mild disabilities. You'll gain practical skills to help young learners succeed.

Behavior Management Strategies in Special Education

SPED 400 | 3 Credit Hours

Create positive and productive classrooms! Learn effective behavior management techniques tailored for students with mild to moderate disabilities.

Data-Driven Decisions in Special Education

SPED 480 | 3 Credit Hours

Put your knowledge into practice! In this supervised field placement, you'll use data to inform your teaching strategies and make impactful decisions for P-12 students with LBD.

Explore Our Special Education Programs

Find your ideal career path in Special Education, empowering students from P-12 (LBD) to elementary (P-5). WKU offers programs for undergraduates targeting dual certification, current teachers seeking specialized master's degrees, and educational leaders pursuing advanced credentials and endorsements.

Special Education: Learning and Behavior Disorders and Elementary Education, Bachelor of Science (B.S.)
The Special Education: Learning and Behavior and Elementary Education dual certification program leads to the Bachelor of Science degree and the Kentucky Teaching Certificates for Learning and Behavior Disorders (P-12) and Elementary Education (P-5). 
Learn More: B.S. Program

Special Education for Initial Certification, Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT)
The Special Education Initial Certification program, which will lead to a Master of Arts in Teaching, is for individuals seeking initial certification in learning and behavioral disorders (LBD) or moderate and severe disabilities (MSD). This option is for those individuals with no prior teacher certification in any area.
Learn More: MAT Program

Special Education for Learning and Behavior Disorders, Master of Arts in Education (MAE)
The MAE Special Education program in Learning and Behavioral Disorders offers courses and experiences for the advanced preparation of special education teachers who teach students with high incidence disabilities.
Learn More: MAE Program

Special Education for Moderate and Severe Disabilities, Master of Arts in Education (MAE)
The MAE Special Education program in Moderate and Severe Disabilities offers courses and experiences for the advanced preparation of special education teachers who teach students with low incidence disabilities.
Learn More: MAE Program

Advanced Behavior Management, Certificate
This certificate program offers five courses that specialize in behavior management techniques for school-aged children. Through the progression of the courses, candidates will learn how to define and assess problem behaviors, and develop evidence-based interventions to decrease problem behaviors and increase pro-social behaviors and improve academic outcomes.
Learn More: Certificate

Learn from Expert Faculty

Personalized Guidance from Experienced Educators.

At WKU, you’ll be supported by dedicated faculty with real-world teaching experience. Our professors are more than instructors, they’re mentors, researchers, and leaders in education.

Meet Our Faculty

Dr. Janet Tassell
Dr. Janet Tassell
- Program Coordinator, Professor, Assistant Director

Have Questions? Text Us!

Need more information about our programs or have specific questions? Text The School of Teacher Education
directly! We’re here to help you with everything from admissions to program details.

Text Us At: 270-721-8539

Please note, this number cannot receive phone calls.

Have questions? We're here to help.

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The School of Teacher Education

Gary A. Ransdell Hall, Office 1005

1906 College Heights Blvd. #11030,
Bowling Green, KY 42101-1030


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 Last Modified 5/7/25