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University of Montana Catalog 2026-2027

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.

Online Program Option

This program may be completed in an online format. Students interested in pursuing an online degree or certificate program are strongly encouraged to contact the offering department to discuss specific program and course modalities and create a plan of study with an academic advisor. The course requirements listed below may not be consistently offered via online delivery.

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 Education (EDU, EDEC, EDSP) courses.

Course Requirements

Pre-program Education Courses
Complete all of the following courses:
EDU 222Educational Psychology and Child Development3
EDU 331Literature & Literacy for Children3
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
Social Studies Courses
Complete all of the following courses:
HSTA 255Montana History3
NASX 105HIntroduction to Native American Studies 13
Complete one of the following courses: 3-4
American History I
American History II
Western Civilization I
Western Civilization II
Human Geography
Geography of World Regions
Intro to American Government
Intro to Comparative Government
Health and Physical Education
Complete the following course:
EDU 362K-8 Health Enhancement & Well-being3
Teacher Education Program - Professional Licensure Courses
Level 1
Complete all of the following courses. All courses must be completed concurrently.
EDU 340Classroom Management3
EDU 395Clinical Experience1
EDU 397Methods: Teaching & Assessing (PK-3 Early Reading)3
EDU 397Methods: Teaching & Assessing (Early Numeracy K-4)3
EDSP 462Special Education Law, Policy, and Practice3
Level 2
Complete all of the following courses. All courses must be completed concurrently.
EDEC 408Early Childhood Principles and Practices3
EDSP 395Clinical Experience Special Education1
EDSP 426Introduction to Transition & Community3
EDSP 461Positive Behavior Supports3
EDU 497Teaching and Assessing (Methods: 5-8 Mathematics)3
Level 3
Complete all of the following courses. All courses must be completed concurrently.
EDSP 405Assessment of Students with Exceptionalities3
EDSP 456Introduction to Methods for Low Incidence Disabilities3
EDU 339Teaching Assessment in PK-8 Language Arts3
EDU 395Clinical Experience (Level 3)1
EDU 461Introduction to Gifted/Talented Education3
Level 4 - Student Teaching
Complete all of the following courses. All courses must be completed concurrently.
EDU 438Literacy Assessment, Diagnosis, & Instruction3
EDU 494Seminar1
EDSP 495Student Teaching: Special Education11
Total Hours81-82
1

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