Special Education

Special Education

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Bachelor of Science in Special Education

Top 5 Reasons to Study

01

Prepares you to teach students with developmental and learning disabilities and other areas of exceptionality

02

Provides K-12 licensure in mild/moderate disabilities

03

Offers option to add severe/profound and other content endorsements with additional coursework

04

Is nationally accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation

05

Provides clinical experiences across a variety of grade levels and school settings culminating in an internship semester

Core
Skills

  • Practical skills in planning and delivering individualized and evidenced-based instruction to meet the needs of individuals with exceptionalities
  • Effective communication and interpersonal skills for collaborating with educators, students and families
  • Critical thinking and problem-solving skills to address challenges in learning, behavior and student support

Sample
Jobs

  • Special Education Teacher
  • Reading/Math Interventionist
  • Instructional Coordinator
  • Speech/Language Pathologist (requires graduate degree)
  • Occupational Therapist (requires graduate degree)

Successful Career Outcomes

MSU special education students have a 100% successful career outcome rate 2023-24 First Destination Survey Report

Top
Employment
Industries

  • Public and private schools across the U.S.
  • Department of Defense, which hires educators to teach internationally

Brag
Points

  • 100% of teacher education students are placed in a student-teaching internship prior to graduation.
  • Our prestigious Mississippi Excellence in Teaching Program provides full tuition, housing, dining, a study-abroad experience and more.

Experiential Learning Opportunities

- Early Childhood: MSU's T.K. Martin Center for Technology and Disability and Emerson Family School
- Elementary School: Sudduth and Henderson Ward Stewart
- Middle School: Partnership Middle School on MSU’s campus and Armstrong Jr. High School
- High School: Starkville High School

Spotlight

After three years of teaching, educators can complete the National Board Certification process and earn a $6,000-$10,000 annual bonus in Mississippi public schools. We offer support to teachers seeking certification through our World Class Teaching Program.

Special Education

2025-2026 Major Map

Bachelor of Science in Special Education

Get the Courses You Need

1st Year

Content knowledge courses in English, math, science, fine arts, social science, humanities

2nd Year

EDX 3203 - Evidence Based Practices for Inclusive Classrooms
EDX 3213 - Foundations of Special Education
EDX 3133 - Special Education Law and Ethical Practices
EDX 4353 - Instructional and Assistive Technology
EDX 4003 - Early Intervention Birth to Three
EDX 4413 - Families and Professional Partnerships
Electives

3rd Year

EDX 4113 - Pre-K Intervention Methods
EDX 3223 - Positive Behavior Intervention & Supports
EDX 3233 - Intensive and Individualized Behavior Intervention and Support
EDX 4103 - Systematic Instruction
EDX 4123 - Methods and Materials for Elementary Students with Disabilities 
EDX 3253 - Evaluating Learning in Special Education
EDX 4243 - Designing Instruction for All Learners
RDG 3113 - Early Literacy Instruction I 
RDG 3123 - Early Literacy Instruction II

4th Year

EDX 4133 - Methods and Materials for Secondary Students with Disabilities
EDX 4223 - Transition and Collaboration
EDX 4623 - Curricular and Mobility Adaptations
EDX 4523 - Teaching Mathematics to Students with Disabilities
RDG 3223 - Diagnosing and Assessing Reading Difficulties in Children
RDG 3413 - Middle Level Literacy
EDX 4886/4896 - Teaching Internship in Special Education
EDX 4873 - Professional Seminar in Special Education

Hands-On Learning

1st Year

Explore and join extracurricular clubs that align with your hobbies and interests. Tutor for after-school and intersession programs.

2nd Year

Join education clubs like the Association of Educators at Mississippi State (AEMS). Tutor for after-school and intersession programs. Document 40 hours of experience working with K-12 students to prepare you for upper-level education courses. 

3rd Year

Take on leadership roles in extracurricular activities. Work with faculty on research projects.

4th Year

Assess where gaps in your prior clinical experiences exist and what skills need to be further developed. Use current clinical experiences within courses to fill those gaps and further develop your skills.

Connect with Community

1st Year

Volunteer on or off campus with community organizations, such as MSU's T.K. Martin Center, Boys & Girls Clubs of the Golden Triangle, The Brickfire Project, Starkville Parks & Recreation, the local library and Habitat for Humanity.

2nd Year

Seek leadership opportunities within on- or off-campus community organizations and assist with special events hosted by those organizations like 5K runs and Read Across America Day. 

3rd Year

Take advantage of clinical experiences within courses and attend after-school activities, extracurricular activities and sporting events. 

4th Year

Join professional organizations (e.g. Council for Exceptional Children).

Explore the World

1st Year

Explore study abroad opportunities at MSU. Psychology in Europe, MSU’s largest study abroad program, is led by a College of Education faculty member and offered three or four times annually. Attend international education events.

2nd Year

Attend a study abroad fair at MSU or self-enroll in the free Study Abroad 101 Canvas course. Compare laws and policies across geographic locations and participate in collaborative research projects.

3rd Year

Consider and prepare for study abroad opportunities. Participate in national and international webinars or online networks.

4th Year

Take advantage of study abroad opportunities. Reflect on the research to practice gap as it relates to placements across districts, states and regions.  

Launch Your Career

1st Year

Meet with your advisor about career path options. Explore the Career Center website. Identify your Career Center liaison. Assess your interests and natural talents and how they can translate into professional skills. Interview and shadow a special education teacher in your hometown.

2nd Year

Attend Career Center events, workshops and information sessions, including ones on professional dress and writing cover letters. Create/update your resume tailored to your accomplishments and skills.

3rd Year

Develop an action plan for post-graduation goals. Participate in mock interviews. Fine-tune your resume with special education clinical experiences, skills and relevant strengths.

 

4th Year

Prepare school-specific cover letters and update your resume. Sign up for interviews at Career Fairs. Meet with your Career Center liaison about job search strategies, navigating job offers, etc. Apply for jobs or graduate schools.

 

Alumni
Success

The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, or NBPTS, ranks Mississippi State No. 12 nationwide for number of National Board Certified Teachers, with 997 MSU alumni having earned the prestigious certification.

Student
Testimonial

“The best thing about MSU’s special education program is the lengths our instructors will go to ensure that every student not only succeeds in licensure but feels ready to take on the classroom as a first-year teacher. They always give us the push we need to feel confident in the many difficult aspects of our field.”
- Breland Graves
Special Education | Moss Point, Mississippi

Learn More

CurriculumDepartment of Teacher Education and Leadership WebsiteCollege of Education WebsiteApply to MSU