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Bachelor of Science in

Special Education

On-Campus

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Wall Street Journal ranks Cornerstone University as one of America's best colleges 2026.

CAEP
Transfer Friendly
Transfer up to 75% of your program credits

Nurture Potential with a Special Education Bachelor’s Degree

Develop the knowledge and skills to make a lasting impact as a licensed teacher with Cornerstone University’s B.S. in Special Education, accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). With a learning disabilities emphasis, you’ll prepare to teach special education in K-12 settings while also earning certification to teach general education in grades PK-6 or 7-12. Through hands-on classroom and field experience, expert faculty mentorship, and a Christ-centered approach, you’ll be equipped to help every student develop their potential.

Develop Market-Ready Skills for Special Education Teaching Professionals

Gain highly sought-after skills and licensure preparations through Cornerstone’s career and impact-focused education curriculum including: 

Special Education Instruction – Learn to teach students with learning disabilities in K-12 settings using individualized education plans (IEPs) and obtain your K-12 Special Education Endorsement.

General Education Teaching – Earn certification to teach both special education (K-12) and general education (PK-3 and 3-12).

Classroom Management – Develop strategies to create a structured, supportive and effective learning environment.

Differentiated Instruction – Adapt teaching methods to meet the unique needs of each student.

Behavioral Intervention Strategies – Implement techniques to support students with behavioral and emotional challenges.

IEP Development & Implementation – Design, track, and adjust individualized plans to promote student success.

Hands-On Classroom & Field Experience – Gain real-world teaching experience through student teaching and field placements.

Collaboration & Teamwork – Work alongside parents, faculty, and specialists to provide comprehensive student support.

Parent & Stakeholder Communication – Effectively engage with families, administrators, and educational support teams.

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Christian Worldview Foundation – Lead and impact students and families through a biblical worldview of truth and knowledge in education.

Courses

Cornerstone is ready to help you excel in your career. The information below reflects just a few of the general education and industry-focused courses you will experience to achieve your degree.

Featured Courses

EDU-233: Found Teaching Exceptional Learner

Explores the foundations of special education, including disabilities, legislation, IEPs, and collaboration, through a Christian worldview, with field experience for real-world application.

EDU-328: Learner-Centered Assessment

Use observation, assessment tools, and data-driven strategies to identify struggling learners, collaborate with school professionals, and contribute to IEP and 504 plan development.

EDU-335: Teaching Exceptional Learners & Clinical Experience

Develop data-driven, evidence-based strategies for teaching students with disabilities, emphasizing literacy instruction, intervention, and structured reading development.

EDU-338: Assessment & Diagnosis of Exceptional Learners

Explore the special education referral process, assessment tools, data interpretation, collaborative planning, and IEP development.

EDU-462: B-K & K-12 Special Ed Practicum

Teacher candidates will apply their skills in assessing and teaching students with disabilities or developmental delays. They will plan and deliver instruction based on diagnostic assessments, monitor student progress, and adjust instruction as needed. Includes 420 hours in a Special Education classroom, where candidates will observe, participate, and learn under the guidance of a professional educator.

View all of the courses for your academic program.

Academic Catalog

General Education

The Cornerstone Core™ Statement

The Cornerstone Core offers a groundbreaking general education unlike any other college or university in America. Faith, civic understanding and career preparation are fully integrated into one coherent formation. Developed by our renowned Christian worldview scholars, this focused 33-credit-hour curriculum develops both depth of character and clarity of thinking. The Cornerstone Core new general education curriculum is an antidote to the rising popularity of relativism, skepticism, doubt and moral ambiguity. Graduates are prepared to succeed in their professions and strengthen the institutions and communities they serve as Biblically grounded moral leaders to influence the world for Jesus Christ.

Students in every major study three areas:

The Beauty of Christianity

Examine the beauty of God, the Gospel, and the core doctrines of the Christian faith. Discover the coherence of a worldview rooted in God’s truth through Scripture applied today —- shaping character, conviction, and spiritual depth. We believe that beauty is more important than arguments and these courses will introduce students to the grandeur and beauty of Jesus and His creation and our place in the redemptive work of Jesus.

The Wisdom of the American Experience

Engage with Cornerstone’s Great Works Canon of the American Experience, by exploring the original speeches, sermons and foundational texts that shaped the American Republic, wrestling with enduring questions of liberty, order, duty and self-government. Graduates will learn what it means to be Christian citizens who are dutiful, wise, and formed with character to influence themselves, their families, and our nation.

Marketplace Intelligence

Develop analytical reasoning, scientific thinking, ethical utilization of artificial intelligence, commitment to free market economics, ethical clarity, and truthful and effective communication strategies to create solutions to complex challenges and serve society and humanity with excellence. Graduates will be able to consider and discern what is true, beautiful and good.

Learn more about the Cornerstone Core.

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Teacher Education Field Experience

Special Education majors will build on their coursework by developing formal and informal assessment skills. You will learn to diagnose student needs, plan and teach targeted instruction, and use formative assessment to evaluate and adjust your teaching. This process is applied in a school-based apprenticeship, where you will complete at least 420 hours in a special education classroom under the guidance of a professional educator.

Influential Careers with a Bachelor of Science in Special Education Degree

  • Special Education Teacher (K-12)
  • General Education Teacher (PK-3 or 3-12)
  • Intervention Specialist
  • Behavioral Specialist
  • IEP Coordinator
  • Early Childhood Special Education Teacher
  • Educational Consultant
  • Learning Disabilities Specialist
  • Assistive Technology Specialist

Tuition

On-Campus

$22,000 per year

Generous scholarship and payment options available.
Review information about student fees and housing packages on our Tuition & Fees page.

ScholarshipsFile the FAFSA

Your Degree Starts Here

Start your degree at one of the most affordable Christian universities in the region. An admissions counselor is ready to help you begin the enrollment process.

  1. Apply — our application is free.
  2. Set goals — your admissions counselor is here to guide you.
  3. Maximize your credits — you could transfer in up to 75% of your degree credits.
  4. Discover affordability — scholarships and grants are available for qualified students.

CU has given me opportunities not only to learn content but to also put the content into practice. I appreciate that my professors considered well-researched practices and implemented them into the college classroom.

—Cori M.

The education courses are very practical and hands-on, and there are so many opportunities to observe or practice teaching in real classroom settings. There are so many aspects of teaching that cannot be learned in a lecture. Most teaching skills can only be learned through hands-on, trial-and-error, real-time experiences, and Cornerstone makes sure to provide as many opportunities as possible.

—Alayna R.

Student Teaching has been the most educational experience of my college career. I am grateful to Cornerstone for providing me with such a helpful experience. It has set me up well for my career.

—Emily D.

Cornerstone University

Hours

MON - FRI: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
SAT & SUN: Closed

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