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University of Montana Catalog 2025-2026

Special Education B.A.

General Degree Requirements

To earn a baccalaureate degree, all students must complete successfully, in addition to any other requirements, the University of Montana General Education Requirements. Please refer to the General Education Requirements page for more information. 

Additional requirements for graduation can be found on the Degree/Certificate Requirements for Graduation page

Unless otherwise noted in individual program requirements, a minimum grade point average of 2.00 in all work attempted at the University of Montana-Missoula is required for graduation. Please see the Academic Policies and Procedures page for information on how your GPA is calculated.

Courses taken to satisfy the requirements of a major, minor, or certificate program must be completed with a grade of C- or better unless a higher grade is noted in the program requirements.

Bachelor of Arts - Special Education

  • This major requires a minimum GPA of 2.75
  • Admission to the Teacher Education Program is required to enroll in any EDU courses.

Course Requirements

Language Arts Courses
Complete the following course:
EDU 331Literature & Literacy for Children3
Complete one of the following courses: 3
Introduction to Literature
Poetry
Literary Histories
Genres, Themes, Approaches
Oral and Written Traditions of Native Americans
Mathematics Courses
Complete all of the following courses:
M 132Numbers and Operations for Elementary School Teachers3
M 133Geometry and Measurement for Elementary School Teachers3
M 234Higher Mathematics for Elementary School Teachers3
Science Courses
Complete all of the following courses:
BIOB 226NGeneral Science: Chemical & Life Sciences5
GEO 224NGeneral Science: Physics & Geoscience5
ENST 472General Science: Conservation Education3
Social Studies Courses
Complete all of the following courses:
HSTA 101HAmerican History I4
or HSTA 102H American History II
or HSTR 101H Western Civilization I
or HSTR 102H Western Civilization II
HSTA 255Montana History3
GPHY 121SHuman Geography3
or GPHY 141S Geography of World Regions
NASX 105HIntroduction to Native American Studies 13
PSCI 210SIntro to American Government3
or PSCI 220S Intro to Comparative Government
EDU 222Educational Psychology and Child Development3
Health and Physical Education
Complete the following course:
HEE 302Methods of Instructional Strategies in Elementary PE3
The Arts
Complete all of the following courses:
ARTZ 302ATeaching Early Childhood and Elementary Art2
MUSE 397Methods: K-8 Music2
THTR 239ACreative Drama/Dance: K-82
Teacher Education Program - Professional Licensure Courses
Level 1
Complete all of the following courses. All courses must be completed concurrently.
EDSP 454Advanced Academic Interventions3
EDU 340Classroom Management3
EDU 395Clinical Experience1
EDU 397Methods: Teaching & Assessing (PK-3 Early Reading)3
EDU 397Methods: Teaching & Assessing (Early Numeracy K-4)3
Level 2
Complete all of the following courses. All courses must be completed concurrently.
EDEC 408Early Childhood Principles and Practices3
EDSP 405Assessment of Students with Exceptionalities3
EDSP 456Introduction to Methods for Low Incidence Disabilities3
EDSP 461Positive Behavior Supports3
EDSP 462Special Education Law, Policy, and Practice3
Level 3
Complete all of the following courses. All courses must be completed concurrently.
EDSP 426Introduction to Transition & Community3
EDU 395Clinical Experience (Level 3)1
EDU 461Introduction to Gifted/Talented Education3
EDU 497Teaching and Assessing (5-8 Mathematics)3
EDU 497Teaching and Assessing (4-8 Reading)3
Level 4 - Student Teaching
Complete all of the following courses. All courses must be completed concurrently.
EDU 438Literacy Assessment, Diagnosis, & Instruction3
EDU 494Seminar1
EDU 495Student Teaching (Special Education)11
Total Hours112
1

Other Native American Studies courses may fulfill the NASX 105H requirement. Please consult with the Education Advisor.