Bachelor of Education in
Elementary Education - Special Education
Under-
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Love kids? Want to make a difference in the lives of those with special needs? The College of Education offers you the unique opportunity to graduate in four years with dual certification in elementary and special education! A Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) in Elementary Education enables you to teach first through eighth grade in most subject areas, except 7th and 8th grade math. The additional certification in Special Education equips you to work with Special Education students in all 13 categories of mild-moderate disabilities from preschool to high school. Upon completion of the program, graduates have the opportunity to apply for certification. Applicants must complete the program, all key assessments and benchmarks included in the program, be admitted to the Professional Education Program, and pass the designated certification exams required by the state of Oklahoma. Because Oklahoma participates in the NASDTEC Interstate Agreement, candidates are eligible to transfer their teaching certificate to other member states, pending that state’s specific requirements. This degree is also recognized by many international and global schools, allowing graduates to pursue teaching opportunities abroad.
Degree Plan for B.Ed. in Elementary Education - Special Education
What can I do with a degree in elementary education with Special Education certification?
- Teach children Pre-K through grade 12 in public, private, and Christian schools
- Teach in schools and other settings focused on meeting needs of children with disabilites
- Serve in churches and non-profit institutions
- Work in missions and international education
- Develop curriculum/product and sales
What are some of the core experiences?
- Active, hands-on learning with experienced faculty committed to your success
- Small classes with personal attention
- Extensive classroom experiences (130 hours) throughout the degree program in diverse settings
- Learning-centered environments embedded in classroom conversation
- Developmentally appropriate practices that create safe, equitable, positive, and supportive learning envrionments that value diversity, language, and heritage
What makes ORU’s elementary education with Special Education program stand out?
- Two certifications are earned in the time and expense usually required for one
- Dual certification broadens your expertise, so you have more to offer potential employers
- An earned micro-credential in the Science of Reading - More information click here
- An innovative learning environment that includes technology-enhanced learning strategies and Google Level 1 certification
- A research-based emphasis on literacy as a tool for processing, problem-solving, and communication
- Nationally recognized mentoring program for ongoing support through your first year of teaching
- Faculty who model the integration of faith and learning, professionalism, and Spirit-empowered teaching
- The ORU experience—a challenging, supportive learning community
Micro-Credential in Science of Reading
ECE 308 – Early Literacy Strategies & Intervention is a 16-week micro-credential course that serves as a key component of a comprehensive program of study designed to prepare teacher candidates for effective early reading instruction. Aligned with the expectations of Oklahoma’s Strong Readers Act (SB 362), the course emphasizes the science of reading, with focused instruction on phonemic awareness, decoding, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. Candidates will engage with required literacy screening tools, analyze assessment data, and design targeted interventions to support struggling readers, including those with characteristics of dyslexia. A structured pre-clinical experience provides opportunities to apply these strategies in real classroom settings. Upon successful completion of the course, candidates will earn a digital badge through Credly, recognizing their demonstrated expertise in early literacy instruction and their readiness to support reading development for all learners in grades K-3.
Fast-track program
ORU's Fast Track program offers you the opportunity to complete up to 12 hours of graduate course work as an undergraduate student…with no additional cost! For more information click here.
Are there scholarships available?
Nearly 100% of our full-time, undergraduate residential students receive ORU grants and scholarships through academic achievement and through ORU’s premier scholarship opportunity of our Quest Whole Leader Scholarship.
Quest Whole Leader Scholarship
General ORU Scholarships and Financial Aid
College of Education Scholarships