Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) in Special Education – Adapted and General Curriculum Adapt Your Approach to Education

122
Credit Hours
Online,* 8-week courses
Transfer in up to 75% of the degree total
Prepare to Enter a Variety of Special Education Settings Through Our Online Undergraduate Special Education Degree in Adapted and General Curriculum
Are you passionate about meeting the needs of students with diverse abilities? If so, you may be seeking a degree that allows you to serve in a variety of special education settings. Liberty University’s Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) in Special Education – Adapted and General Curriculum K-12 is designed to help you prepare to teach students with varying levels of ability across a wide range of learning environments. This program offers opportunities to develop skills for engaging learners, collaborating with families and colleagues, and fostering inclusive practices that support student growth.
This online special education degree is structured to give you both theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience in the classroom. Through the integration of core education coursework and specialized training in adapted and general curriculum development, you can gain a foundation for addressing behavioral, academic, and developmental needs. Because the program is a Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)-accredited path to licensure, it includes a student teaching component and practicum hours that you can complete at an approved facility near you.
Whether you’re beginning your journey as an educator or seeking to advance your current career by specializing in the field of special education, this program offers flexible learning options and academic support to help you work toward your professional goals. Liberty’s Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) in Special Education – Adapted and General Curriculum K-12 aims to help you become a key advocate for students with disabilities and contribute to positive educational outcomes for learners in both inclusive and specialized settings.
Your officially conferred degree name will be Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) in Special Education – Adapted and General Curriculum 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.







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What Sets Us Apart?
- 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
Why Choose Liberty’s Undergraduate Special Education Degree Online?
At Liberty University, you can pursue your degree in a supportive and Christ-centered academic environment. Our School of Education is committed to providing quality instruction that integrates biblical principles with sound educational practices. Whether you’re learning about instructional planning, classroom management, or specialized intervention strategies, you can develop the professional and ethical mindset to serve your students.
Liberty’s online platform is designed to accommodate the demands of your schedule while offering opportunities for practical, local engagement. Your practicum and student teaching placements can be completed through approved facilities in your area, allowing you to gain real-world experience without having to relocate.
Our licensure-track B.Ed. programs are CAEP-accredited, reflecting our commitment to excellence and accountability in educator preparation. Choosing Liberty means joining a network of professionals who share your passion for serving others through education. Here, your calling to work with students who have unique learning needs can be nurtured and developed through a program that values integrity, compassion, and educational excellence.
What Will You Study in Our Special Education Online Bachelor’s Degree?
Through our bachelor’s degree in special education, you can build a strong foundation in educational theory and classroom practice. Topics such as instructional design, curriculum development, and classroom technology can help you plan effective lessons for elementary and middle school learners. You’ll also explore the historical and philosophical roots of education, laying the groundwork for your understanding of the field and your role as a future educator.
Additionally, you’ll dive into the core elements of literacy, reading, and writing instruction. You’ll study reading development and comprehension, literature for children and adolescents, and strategies for teaching language arts in inclusive classrooms. You’ll also examine ways to tailor instruction to meet the diverse needs of learners, with a focus on differentiated teaching, reading intervention, and language development across content areas.
To help you become comfortable working with students who have disabilities, this program includes a thorough exploration of special education practices. You can learn about disability law, behavioral support, and characteristics of students with mild to severe disabilities. Your coursework will also cover assessment techniques, transition planning, and strategies for managing diverse behaviors in the classroom. This blend of academic study and practical training can help you develop the skills to support students with a range of learning, behavioral, cognitive, and physical differences.
Potential Career Opportunities
- Behavior intervention specialist
- Curriculum developer
- Educational consultant
- Inclusion specialist
- Special education teacher
- Transition coordinator
Featured Courses
- EDSP 345 – Cognitive and Medical Characteristics of Students with Significant Disabilities*
- EDSP 363 – Behavior Management
- EDSP 413 – Inclusion and Diversity: Effective Practices and Strategies
- EDSP 445 – Instructional Methods and Strategies for Students with Significant Disabilities*
*Course guide coming soon
Degree Information
- This program falls under the School of Education.
- View the Undergraduate Education Course Guides (login required).
- This degree has required practicum and student teaching hours.
- A background check is required to obtain licensure in this program.
- Review our licensure information and resources.
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.

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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 |
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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
Admission Information for Our Bachelor’s in Special Education – Adapted and General Curriculum
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
If you have military-only transfer credits (completed basic training and enlistment), you must request an official military transcript. Please go to the Military Transfer Credit webpage to request your military transcript.
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 Online Admissions Verification
1971 University Blvd.
Lynchburg, VA 24515

Ready to Apply?
Submit your application online or over the phone.
Military
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.
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- Why Choose Liberty?
- What Will You Study?
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- Tuition & Aid
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