Special Education - B.S.Ed.

**APPRENTICESHIP MATCH DAY**
Thursday, May 2, 2013 from 3:00- 4:30 in UH 170
Apprenticeship applications are due by March 1st

Admission Requirements | Program of Study | Apply Now! | Get Financial Aid

WELCOME TO GRU! We are pleased that you are visiting our website to learn more about the B.S.Ed. program in Special Education. Below you will find all the information you need regarding our program requirements for this initial certification degree.

We offer a Bachelor of Science in Education (B.S.Ed.) for those seeking a career in special education. Once the student has successfully completed the degree requirements for the B.S.Ed., the student will be recommended by the Officer of Certification for initial certification by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC). This certification qualifies you as a special education teacher for grades K-12 in a special education classroom for students with mild or moderate disabilities. You are also qualified to teach students with mild disabilities in general education classrooms.

Students who wish to pursue a B.S. Ed. degree in Special Education must be admitted to the Teacher Education. For more information, contact Andrea Shelton, Pre-admit Academic Advisor and Admissions Coordinator:

Andrea Shelton
E-Mail: ashelto2@gru.edu
Phone: 706-729-2581

Admission Requirements To BSED Program

Upon your admission to GRU, you may declare Special Education as your major. The first two years at GRU you will be required to complete your core classes, which includes experiences in the schools. During your core classes, Andrea Shelton will be your advisor. Once you have completed your core classes you will need to apply to teacher education. Requirements for admission to teacher education include: a 2.5 GPA on core classes, passing score on GACE I, and completion of all core classes. Upon admission to teacher education you will begin your two-year upper division classes. At this point, your advisor will be Dr. Alice Pollingue. Each of our classes require a 30 hour lab component. Additionally, it is strongly encouraged that all students in the SPED programs join and participate in the state and national Council for Exceptional Children. The program concludes with an 85 day apprenticeship. Click here for information on the program of study for the BSED in Special Education. For more information on the BSED in Special Education contact:

Dr. Alice Pollingue
E-mail: apolling@gru.edu
Phone: 706-729-4493

Field Experiences

All of the classes in the Special Education Concentration require a 30 hour lab experience in a classroom serving students with disabilities. Placements are made by the Director of Field Placements in collaboration with the SPED faculty. If you are employed as a paraprofessional, you may complete your lab hours in your current classroom if you have opportunities to work with students with disabilities. If you are not teaching, GRU will place you. During your field experience you will be required to complete hours in four different settings and in two different counties. You will be assigned a master or mentor teacher regardless of employment status who will complete your evaluation and submit it online at the end of the semester. Students are required to submit an attendance log through Elroy to verify the number of hours that they are completing. In addition to the 30 hour lab experiences, students must complete a consecutive 85 day apprenticeship. If you are employed as a paraprofessional you will not be able to stay employed in that position during your apprenticeship. This is a state regulation.

For more information regarding field experience visit the Undergraduate Field Experience Handbook in special education.

*Note: Students obtaining K-12 certification will be required to have experience in four different grade levels: Age 5 and under, grades 1 through 4, middle grades, and secondary. We can make suggestions on how this can be accomplished if you work full-time. All field experiences and practicum teaching must be within 50 miles of GRU. Field experiences and practicum teaching must be in the area of certification candidate is seeking.

*Note: All apprenticeship applications must be received by your advisor by MIDTERM of the semester PRIOR to apprenticeship. A $200 apprenticeship fee will be assessed (along with your tuition) to provide a stipend for your Mentor Teacher and travel expenses for your University Supervisor. Further information regarding the apprenticeship will be provided towards the end of your coursework.