Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) in Special Education Degrees

Specializations

Online,* 8-week courses

Transfer in up to 75% of the degree total

Next Start Dates: January 19, 2026 | February 16, 2026 | March 23, 2026

Prepare to Support Diverse Learners with a B.Ed. in Special Education

If you’re passionate about helping students with disabilities reach their full potential, Liberty University’s Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) in Special Education K-12 offers a comprehensive path to becoming a licensed teacher. This program is designed to prepare educators to serve learners across a wide spectrum of needs, from mild learning challenges to more complex developmental disabilities. Whether you’re interested in working in inclusive classrooms, specialized settings, or early intervention programs, this degree can help equip you with the knowledge and experience to support diverse learners.

Through a blend of academic study and hands-on training, you can learn how to create supportive learning environments, implement individualized education plans (IEPs), and collaborate with families and professionals. The program emphasizes both the theory and practice of special education, helping you develop the skills to teach with compassion, clarity, and purpose. You’ll explore how educational strategies can be adapted to meet the unique needs of each student, and how to foster growth in academic, social, and emotional domains.

Liberty’s B.Ed. in Special Education is a licensure-track program aligned with Virginia state requirements, and it may support licensure in other states through reciprocity. With a strong foundation in educational theory, practical classroom experience, and a biblical worldview, this degree can help you prepare to become a confident and ethical educator. Whether your goal is to teach students with autism, learning disabilities, or physical impairments, this program helps you pursue your calling with excellence.

Liberty University’s School of Education meets rigorous national standards for educator preparation set by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). By earning this degree, you will complete the content competencies, student teaching, and practicum requirements for special education licensure in the state of Virginia.

Your officially conferred degree name will be Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) in Special Education K-12.

Liberty maintains strict compliance with all licensure requirements for the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Not a Virginia resident? We want to help find the best program for you! To view educational requirements and whether a specific program aligns with the licensure requirements for your state, please review our licensure/certification requirements webpage.

*Some exclusions apply. Please refer to our exclusions page for more information.

What Will You Study in a Bachelor of Special Education Program?

Liberty’s B.Ed. in Special Education combines foundational education theory with specialized coursework tailored to the needs of students with disabilities. You’ll study philosophical, legal, and sociological principles of special education, allowing you to gain a deep understanding of how these frameworks influence classroom practices. Courses also cover essential learning theories, behavior management, and instructional design, helping you create inclusive and effective learning environments.

Throughout the program, you’ll explore how to assess student needs, develop IEPs, and implement strategies that support academic and behavioral growth. You can learn how to differentiate instruction, use assistive technologies, and collaborate with families and support teams. The curriculum is designed to help prepare you to pursue a variety of roles in special education, whether you want to work with students who follow a general curriculum or those who require adapted instruction.

Hands-on experience is a key component of this degree. You’ll complete 90 hours of practicum and at least 1 semester of student teaching in an approved school setting prior to graduation. These experiences allow you to apply what you’ve learned in real classrooms, build confidence, and meet licensure requirements. By the time you graduate, you can be equipped with the tools to teach effectively, advocate for your students, and make a lasting difference in their lives.

Featured Courses

Degree Information

Why Choose Liberty’s Online Degree?

Liberty University’s B.Ed. in Special Education is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), ensuring that your degree meets rigorous national standards. As an online program approved by the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) for licensure, Liberty’s B.Ed. in Special Education stands out for its quality and commitment to preparing future educators. You’ll complete all required competencies, including practicum and student teaching, in your own community.

This program is designed with your success in mind. You can benefit from a curriculum that integrates research-based teaching strategies with real-world application. Liberty’s faculty members bring years of classroom experience and active teaching licenses, offering mentorship and insight into the realities of today’s schools. Their guidance helps bridge the gap between theory and practice, so you can enter the classroom confident and prepared.

In addition to academic excellence, Liberty offers financial support through opportunities like the Federal TEACH Grant for eligible students. You’ll also have access to extensive resources, including Liberty’s online library and research tools. Rooted in a Christian worldview, the program encourages you to approach teaching with empathy, integrity, and a heart for service. Whether you’re just starting your journey or transferring credits, Liberty provides a supportive environment to help you reach your goals.

Backed by a brick-and-mortar campus ranked as Niche.com’s #2 Best College Campus in America for 2026

Private Nonprofit University
600+ Online Degrees
No Standardized Testing for Admission
Transfer in up to 75% of an Undergrad Degree
Transfer in up to 50% of a Grad/Doctoral Degree

Top 10 Reasons to Choose Liberty

Potential Career Opportunities for B.Ed. in Special Education Graduates

Behavior intervention specialist
Curriculum developer
Educational consultant
Homeschool teacher
Inclusion specialist
Licensed special education teacher

Private school teacher
Special education curriculum coordinator
Special education teacher
Transition coordinator
Tutor

Degree Options for our Undergraduate Special Education Degree

Liberty University is proud to offer specializations that cater to diverse student populations. Check out the degree options we have to offer.

General Curriculum K-12

Liberty University’s Online Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) in Special Education – General Curriculum K-12 is designed to equip special education teachers to meet the needs of students with mild to moderate educational needs. These students may be able to follow a traditional curriculum with additional classroom and instructional support. Our general special education curriculum program can help you prepare to come alongside these students and help them learn.

View the Degree Completion Plan.

Adapted Curriculum K-12

Liberty University’s online Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) in Special Education – Adapted Curriculum K-12 is designed for those who want to teach students with moderate to severe learning disabilities and special needs who require the educational curriculum to be adapted to their specific needs. By molding the curriculum to meet their needs, you can better help them learn effectively. If working with students with greater needs is your passion, this program can help you prepare.

View the Degree Completion Plan.

Adapted and General Curriculum K-12

Liberty University’s online Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) in Special Education – Adapted and General Curriculum K-12 is designed for those who want to work with students with mild to severe learning disabilities. Some of these students may be able to follow a more traditional curriculum, while others may need the curriculum to be adapted to their specific needs. This specialization offers a comprehensive approach to special education, so you can be equipped to meet the needs of each student in your classroom.

View the Degree Completion Plan.

State Licensure Requirements

Individual state licensure requirements may vary and are subject to change without notice. View your state’s requirements here: licensure/certification requirements.

Speak to one of our admissions specialists to help you choose the program that best fits your needs.

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Tuition & Aid

At Liberty University, a private Christian education is less expensive than you think. Over the last 10 years, Liberty University’s Online Program has only raised its standard tuition costs by less than 5% – and most of our online tuition rates rank in the top 35% for affordability for 2025 when compared to our leading online competitors.

To continue our mission of providing affordable education, electronic textbooks are provided for all undergraduate courses at no additional cost to you. As a full-time student, this could save you an estimated $800-2,000 per year on textbooks!

Undergraduate Full Time	$390/Credit
Undergraduate Part Time	$455/Credit
Military Undergraduate	$250/Credit

These rates are reflective of academic year 2025-2026. Tuition rates may change annually. For the most current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.

All Tuition & Fees

Financial Aid & Scholarships

Financial Aid Forms & Eligibility

Scholarship Opportunities

Admission Information for Our Online Special Education Undergraduate Programs

Admission Requirements

Apply online or over the phone with an admissions counselor by calling (800) 424-9595.
- A non-refundable, non-transferable $50 application fee will be posted on the current application upon enrollment (waived for qualifying service members, veterans, and military spouses – documentation verifying military status is required).
Send official high school transcripts or official GED test scores.*
- Students may be allowed to enroll in up to 12 credit hours with Liberty with the submission of our High School Self-Certification Form (login required – you will first need to claim your Liberty Account).
Send official college transcripts (mailed as sealed, unopened copies or sent via a direct electronic transcript system).
- Unofficial transcripts can be used for acceptance purposes with the submission of a Transcript Request Form.
Applicants whose native language is other than English must submit official scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or an approved alternative assessment. For information on alternative assessments or TOEFL waivers, please call Admissions or view the official International Admissions policy.

*Official high school transcript requirement may be waived with college transcripts from an accredited college/university showing at least 12 earned credit hours with an acceptable GPA.

Note: A 2.0 or above cumulative GPA is required for admission in good standing.

Transcript Policies

High School Transcript Policy

Applicants may submit a High School Self-Certification Form in lieu of a final official high school transcript in order to enroll in up to 12 credit hours at Liberty University.

Applicants may submit a college transcript showing 12 or more credits from an accredited institution and a High School Self-Certification Form in lieu of high school transcripts.

Students must submit official high school transcripts, or official college transcripts showing at least 12 credit hours earned with an acceptable grade point average (GPA) from an accredited institution, in order to register for additional courses.

The official high school transcript, GED requirement, and High School Self-Certification Form can be waived if the applicant has earned an associate degree or higher.

Final transcripts must reflect all coursework and final grades received for grades 9-12, a graduation date, and an overall GPA. (Mailed transcripts must be in a sealed and unopened envelope.)

Unofficial College Transcript Policy

Unofficial transcripts combined with a Transcript Request Form can be used for admission. Official transcripts are required within 60 days of the admissions decision or before non-attendance drops for the first set of matriculated classes, whichever comes first, and will prevent enrollment into future terms until all official transcripts have been received.

Before sending unofficial college transcripts, please make sure they include the following:

Your previous school’s name or logo printed on the document
Cumulative GPA
A list of completed courses and earned credit broken down by semester
Degree and date conferred (if applicable)

Official College Transcript Policy

An acceptable official college transcript is one that has been issued directly from the institution and is in a sealed envelope. If you have one in your possession, it must meet the same requirements. If your previous institution offers electronic official transcript processing, they can send the document directly to luoverify@liberty.edu.

If the student uses unofficial transcripts with a Transcript Request Form to gain acceptance, all official transcripts must be received within 60 days of the admissions decision or before non-attendance drops for the first set of matriculated classes, whichever comes first. Failure to send all official transcripts within the 60-day period will prevent enrollment into future terms until all official transcripts have been received.

Military Transfers

International Applicants

If you are an international applicant, you may be required to have your international transcripts reviewed. Information regarding the transcript evaluation process for international students can be found by visiting NACES.

Applicants whose native language is other than English must submit official scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or an approved alternative assessment. For information on alternative assessments or TOEFL waivers, please call Admissions or view the official International Admissions policy.

Admissions Office Contact Information

Liberty University is dedicated to providing world-class educational experiences to military students across the globe.

Who May Qualify?

Active Duty
Reserve/National Guard
Veterans/Retirees
Spouses of Service Members and Veterans/Retirees
Current Department of Defense Employees

Available Benefits:

Tuition discounts – $250 per credit hour for undergraduate courses
Additional discount for veterans who serve in a civilian capacity as a First Responder (less than $565 per course)*
8-week courses, 8 different start dates each year, and no set login times (may exclude certain courses such as practicums, internships, or field experiences)
Potential college credit for military training

*Not applicable to certificates.

These rates are reflective of academic year 2025-2026. Tuition rates may change annually. For the most current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.

View Military Benefits

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*Some restrictions may occur for this promotion to apply. This promotion also excludes active faculty and staff, military, non-degree-seeking, DGIA, Continuing Education, WSB, and certificate students.

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Undergraduate Special Education Degrees Create Supportive Classrooms

Prepare to Support Diverse Learners with a B.Ed. in Special Education

What Will You Study in a Bachelor of Special Education Program?

Featured Courses

Degree Information

Why Choose Liberty’s Online Degree?

What Sets Us Apart?

Potential Career Opportunities for B.Ed. in Special Education Graduates

Degree Options for our Undergraduate Special Education Degree

General Curriculum K-12

Adapted Curriculum K-12

Adapted and General Curriculum K-12

State Licensure Requirements

Not sure what to choose?

Tuition & Aid

Financial Aid & Scholarships

Admission Information for Our Online Special Education Undergraduate Programs

Admission Requirements

Transcript Policies

Military Transfers

International Applicants

Admissions Office Contact Information

Military

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