B.S. Exceptional Needs Education

Bachelor's in Exceptional Needs Education

The BS in Exceptional Needs Education at Indiana Wesleyan University is for students who want to create individualized plans for students with complex needs. If you have a passion for identifying and fostering the growth of students with unique academic needs, this teacher education could be a perfect fit for you. Most students in the Exceptional Needs Education major choose to prepare for licensure in both mild and intense interventions (P-12) At our Christian university, you can learn how to integrate biblical principles into your practice of exceptional needs student support.

Why Pursue My B.S. Exceptional Needs Education at IWU?

There are several benefits to pursuing your BS in Exceptional Needs Education at IWU. This accredited teacher education program is taught by faculty with experience teaching students with complex needs in a variety of academic settings. We also provide comprehensive student services, from tech support to tutoring, to help you succeed in this bachelor’s in exceptional needs teaching program. Students learn from expert faculty who will become mentors in the faith, integrating classroom learning with biblical truths for a Christ-centered environment that encourages spiritual growth.

What Will I Learn in this Bachelor’s in Exceptional Needs Education?

The courses in this BS in Exceptional Needs Education program are designed to help students develop the knowledge and confidence to assess students’ unique needs and devise education roadmaps that result in positive outcomes. Students will learn how to become mentors and advocates for students, able to provide the most appropriate teaching methods based on accurate assessment and evidence-based research. Course topics cover teaching and learning in inclusive settings, teaching adolescents, the psychology of the exceptional learner, and more.

What You Will Study in This Bachelor of Science in Exceptional Needs

Coursework for this exceptional needs teacher education program covers how to:

Evaluate one's own capacities, interests, and abilities, and plan for a professional career
Understand litigation and legislation that provide for the inclusion and service of individuals with disabilities
Navigate the ethical, moral, legal, and programmatic issues that impact programs for students with severe disabilities
Evaluate the learning needs of students with severe disabilities and develop/implement instructional programs in school and community settings

Program Requirements

Admission Requirements

Indiana Wesleyan University students are assessed multiple times as they progress through the Teacher Education Program and acquire the knowledge, skills and dispositions required of successful educators.

Admission to the Teacher Education Program.
- Cumulative GPA of 2.75 and a 3.0 in each teaching major, including teacher education courses. All professional education courses completed with a grade of C- or less must be repeated.
- Formal application.
- Teacher Education Program Assessments: interview; reading and writing on demand assessments.
Admission to student teaching. Students apply for admission to student teaching a year prior to the academic year in which the student teaching semester occurs.
- Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 and a minimum GPA of 3.0 in the major.
- Design a lesson plan that is assessed by a School of Teacher Education faculty member using an assessment rubric that is expressly designed for that purpose.
Students apply for admission to student teaching a year prior to the academic year in which the student teaching semester occurs.

Graduation Requirements

The student teaching semester culminates with the following assessments:

Students develop a standards-based portfolio during the student teaching semester, assembling artifacts in five different domains that provide evidence that they have met the standards and expectations required of them. The portfolio is assessed with a rubric designed expressly for that purpose.
Student teachers develop a Teacher Work Sample that is designed to determine the degree to which their teaching has been effective in producing the learning expected of their students.
As the concluding activity of the student teaching semester, a defense committee, consisting of the student's supervising teacher, School of Teacher Education faculty, other University faculty and practicing P-12 teachers, conducts an interview with each student teacher. The student teacher is assessed on his or her professional impression and also the degree to which he or she answers questions successfully.

Accreditation

The Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

Indiana Wesleyan University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC), www.hlcommission.org, 312-263-0456. Other accreditations and associations of Indiana Wesleyan University are available at www.indwes.edu/about/iwu-profile/accreditation.

The Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)

The IWU Teacher Education Program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and is a member of the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE).

B.S. Exceptional Needs Education Degree

B.S. Exceptional Needs Education Degree

Bachelor's in Exceptional Needs Education

Education Pioneer

Rooted in Christ

Superior Support

Potential Careers

Work in Various Industries