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

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.

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.

- Program Coordinator, Professor, Assistant Director
- janet.tassell@wku.edu
- Gary A. Ransdell Hall 1104
- 270-745-5306
- http://people.wku.edu/janet.tassell
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.
The School of Teacher Education
Gary A. Ransdell Hall, Office 1005
1906 College Heights Blvd. #11030,
Bowling Green, KY 42101-1030
Additional Information
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