Bachelor's of Science in Special Education Degree (Prek-12)
Develop Valuable, Specialized Skills to Make a Lifelong Impact on Students
Special education is a calling. Teaching and advocating for students with learning disabilities and developmental delays, and helping them overcome challenges, is an incredibly rewarding career.
With expert teachers and resources like GMercyU Autism Institute, you’ll develop the ability and confidence to respond to the needs of all your future students.
This degree offers a path to certification. It is also the perfect path for pursuing an applied behavioral analysis (ABA) certification program on the graduate level, which could further boost your salary and employment opportunities as a special education teacher.
Certification: This program was designed to meet the certification requirements of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. If you reside in a different state, you should carefully review your home state’s certification requirements prior to enrolling in this program.
Exciting News! The Pennsylvania Department of Education has waived the requirement to pass a Basic Skills assessment in order to pursue Teacher Certification. Read more under Teacher Certification Pathways below.
I’m proud to say I’ve been teaching in real classrooms since my freshman year. In our coursework, we write lesson plans and execute those lessons for constructive feedback from our professors. This is truly important as a future teacher.
–Samantha Venezia ’22 Early/Special Education
Program Details
At GMercyU, we have been helping students become the teachers they’re meant to be for more than 60 years. You will have access to expert faculty and resources as you develop your teaching and classroom management skills, and you'll carry the GMercyU values of integrity, respect, service, and social justice into the classroom to transform students into not only lifelong learners, but good people.
Learn more below.
You will be placed in a classroom as early as the second week of September of your freshman year!
Our Teacher Apprentice Program (TAP) helps you gain first-hand insight into how the real world of education works before taking your turn at the head of the class.
In all, you will spend 8 semesters in actual classrooms. Your final two semesters will be dedicated to pre-student teaching and student teaching experiences where you can take your turn at the head of the class.
While it is important to be knowledgeable about your curriculum, it is also important to develop your personal teaching style for the classroom. Through GMercyU's hands-on approach in the classroom, you will learn effective classroom management styles, an array of communication methods, and will be able to handle conflicts within the classroom. Our real-world approach to teaching will prepare you to better understand your students in a dynamic setting.
*Please note, Education students must provide their own transportation to and from their various field experiences.
No matter your major, all GMercyU classes are taught by full-time or part-time faculty members – no teaching assistants. In fact, the professors in our Education Programs have more than 130 years of combined experience as educators!
As an Early Education major, your support includes:
- A personal advisor who will guide you through all four years.
- Field Placement Coordinator, Dr. Cheryl Malfi, who will help ensure that you have a successful student teaching experience.
- A Certification and Placement Specialist. Once on the teacher certification track, Dr. Pat McAleer will ensure you meet all requirements to become a certified teacher in Pennsylvania.
Education Degree Program – Teacher Certification Update
To help address the national teacher shortage, the Basic Skills requirements for candidates entering teacher preparation programs have been waived. This means incoming Education majors do not need to pass a Pennsylvania Department of Education Basic Skills assessment prior to entering a teacher certification track. Here is the information from Dr. Kerry Helm, Pennsylvania Department of Education:
Act 55 of 2022 signed into law by Governor Wolf on July 8, 2022, requires the Secretary of Education to waive the requirement to satisfactorily complete the assessment of basic skills required under section 1207.3 and 22 Pa. Code § 49.18(c) (relating to assessment) for 3 years from July 8, 2022 through July 8, 2025. This applies to all students who enter preparation programs during this period as well as otherwise qualified candidates for licensure who make application during this period.
Students are still required to meet the 3.0 GPA requirement, as described below.
Transfer Students admitted to the University with a cumulative 3.0 GPA or higher and at least 48 credits will be admitted directly into the Teacher Certification track of their choice.
All Other Admitted Students, including incoming freshmen will enter as Education Studies majors. They will be eligible to enter a Certification track once they have earned between 48 and 60 credits with a cumulative 3.0 GPA or higher. Students will work with their respective advisors to monitor this progress.
With the signing of this waiver into law, students who aspire to be teachers will have a smoother path to a Certification track during the approved waiver period. Incoming students will work with the Program Coordinator to pursue that path.
An essential part of becoming a certified teacher in Pennsylvania is passing the required Pennsylvania Department of Education tests.
At GMercyU, we will help you prepare for these tests. Not only will you work closely with your advisor, but our Student Success Center provides many opportunities to help you prepare for these tests, including a series of basic skills workshops, a computer program to practice for the tests, private one-on-one tutoring, and a variety of materials for you to take and prepare on your own.
Founded by Assistant Dean of the School of Business and Education Deb Schadler, PhD, the Autism Institute focuses on scientifically research-based best practices for supporting students on the Autism spectrum.
GMercyU's Autism Institute provides research-based best practices for students, as well as teachers and administrators, parents of children on the autism spectrum and any interested community members through resources and services such as the annual Autism Conference.
You will be able to take the best-practices learned and apply them directly to your own classroom.
Gain leadership skills, grow professionally, and make friends by getting involved!
Education Outreach Club
Its mission is to provide an opportunity for those with a passion for helping the community to come together to learn, collaborate, and share educational experiences. This club offers its members the option to connect with professionals, participate in educational and social events, and volunteer. Being a member of this club will promote understanding, education, and best practices for the GMercyU community.
Best Buddies
Our Best Buddies chapter matches GMercyU students with members of the community who have Intellectual and developmental disabilities, hosts monthly events, and participates in fundraisers.
Kappa Delta Pi Honor Society
It is the oldest and largest honor society in education. Invitations to join are based on academic achievement, a commitment to education as a career, and a professional attitude that assures the member’s steady growth in the field of education.
In addition to general education requirements, you will complete the following courses for a bachelor's degree in special education:
Core Courses: 30 Credits
| EDU 100 | Education in America |
| EDU 104 | Health & Motor Development Pre K-4 |
| EDU 216 | Foundations of Teaching & Learning Pre K-4 |
| EDU 226 | Reading Sequence I – Foundations of Early Literacy Research |
| EDU 227 | Math Methods for Pre K-4 |
| EDU 228 | Art and Humanities |
| EDU 229 | Reading Sequence II – Lang. Dev. & Early Literacy, Instruction & Assessment |
| EDU 309 | Technology Integration in Education Pre K-8 |
| EDU 316 | Reading Literacy Instruction, Assessment & Intervention |
| EDU 351 | Meeting the Needs of English Language Learners |
Special Education Concentration - 33 credits
| SPE 205 | Exceptional Person |
| SPE 231 | Mild/Moderate Disabilities in the Inclusionary Setting |
| SPE 232 | Students with Complex Needs in the Inclusionary Setting |
| SPE 332 | Assessment and Instruction of Students with Complex Needs |
| SPE 331 | Implementing Inclusive Practices for the Mild/Moderate Population |
| EDU 415 | Pre-Student Teaching |
| EDU 498 | Student Teaching Pre K-8 (12 Credits) |
| EDU/SPE 4000 | Capstone Seminar |
Credit Requirements
A minimum of 120 credits is required for a bachelor’s degree in special education. This program requires a criminal background check, child abuse clearance, and certain immunizations and other health-related clearances in order to participate in all field experiences.
Undergraduate Minors
Increase the value of your early childhood education degree by adding an undergraduate minor that best meets your personal and professional goals.
Wondering what your courses will look like? Here are just a couple of the classes you’ll take as a Special Education major.
SPE 205 Exceptional Person
The course will require students to demonstrate knowledge of the fundamental concepts of teaching students with cognitive, behavioral and/or physical health disabilities ages 0-21. This will include: philosophical, historical and legal foundations of education, current identification criteria, legal and educational definitions, etiology, incidence and prevalence figures, as well as cognitive, behavioral and physical characteristics for students with disabilities. The course will present models and theories of typical/atypic growth and behavior across age groups, as well as disabilities.
SPE 231 Mild/Moderate Disabilities
Educational and medical definitions, etiology, identification criteria and current incidence and prevalence rates for students with learning disabilities, emotional/behavioral disorders and mild mental retardation are presented. This course will review major theoretical models associated with the study of these conditions. Field experience is required.
SPE 331 Implementing Inclusionary Practices for Mild/Moderate Population
Applications of fundamental concepts for teaching students with mild to moderate disabilities are presented. Students will examine norm-referenced, criterion-referenced and curriculum-based instruments and procedures for assessing and diagnosing students who are experiencing learning and behavior problems in school. Students will conduct curriculum-based assessments to identify students' academic strengths and weaknesses. Students will also learn to create an environment conducive to learning through an applied behavior analysis perspective.
For all Special Education course descriptions, please refer to the undergraduate catalog.
Mary Jo Pierantozzi, MS
Position: Assistant Professor and Program Coordinator, Education
Did You Know? Professor Pierantozzi has presented nationally on many topics in education including math, social studies, hybrid online courses, and cooperative learning. She is also the advisor for Best Buddies and Kappa Delta Pi.
Read bio
Deb Schadler, PhD, CPCRT, PRSE
Position: Assistant Dean, School of Business and Education
Did You Know? Dr. Schadler is also the Director of GMercyU’s Autism Institute. She has developed and taught GMercyU’s undergraduate special education curriculum.
Read bio
Marianne Boyd, M. Ed.
Position: Professor of Practice, Education
Did You Know? Professor Boyd has extensive experience as a classroom teacher and an elementary principal and brings a wealth of experience to her courses. She is the co-advisor of the Education Outreach Club.
Read bio
Career Opportunities
There is a need for special education teachers nationwide. In 2020-2021, 15% (7.2 million) of all public school students received special education services, and according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, about 38,600 openings for special education teaches are projected each year through 2030.
In May 2021, the median annual wage for special education teachers was $61,820 with the highest 10% earning more than $100,040, reports the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
In these districts and more, GMercyU students have recently completed student teaching and landed teaching positions after graduation:
- Abington School District
- Bensalem School District
- Central Bucks School District
- Colonial School District
- Council Rock School District
- Hatboro-Horsham School District
- Lower Moreland School District
- MAST Charter School
- Methacton School District
- Neshaminy School District
- North Penn School District
- Perkiomen Valley School District
- Philadelphia School District
- Phoenixville School District
- Springfield School District
- St. Malachy School
- Upper Dublin School District
- Upper Moreland School District
- Wissahickon School District
Briana Vandegrift '19
Current Position: Special Education Teacher in the North Penn School District
Through GMercyU’s Teacher Apprenticeship Program (TAP), Brianna found her home within the North Penn School District. She participated in a cohort between GMercyU and Gwynedd Square Elementary School and completed two semesters of TAP and a semester of student-teaching there.
“GMercyU is really great when it comes to providing its students with connections to community school districts," said Brianna. “I was able to get to know the Elementary principal, supervisor of Special Education, and the supportive faculty, all of which helped land me a contracted Special Education position."
Read more about Brianna's GMercyU experience.
Meet more Griffin Success Stories.
Next Steps
If you’ve already earned college-level credits at other accredited institutions or early education colleges, you can transfer them to Gwynedd Mercy University in order to achieve an early education degree. All you need to do is submit your transcript and course description to the Registrar, who will determine whether the course counts towards the credits required for graduation. Read more on our Transfer Credits page.
In addition, Gwynedd Mercy University has articulation agreements with Bucks County and Delaware County Community Colleges, Harcum College, and Manor College to speed your path to become a teacher with teacher certification.
Bucks County Community College
AA in PreK-4 Education to BS Early Education PreK-4 Certification
AA PreK-4 Education to BS PreK-12 Special Education Certification
Delaware Community College
AS Early Education to BS Early Education PreK-4 Certification
Harcum College
AS Early Childhood Education to BS Early Education PreK-4 Certification
AS Early Childhood Education to BS PreK-12 Special Education Certification
Manor College
AS Early Education to BS Early Education PreK-4 Certification
AS Early Education to BS PreK-12 Special Education Certification
Have questions about GMercyU's admission requirements? Our Admissions staff is ready to walk you through the process of applying to GMercyU.
Email: admissions@gmercyu.edu
Phone: 215-641-5510
At GMercyU, we strive to make a quality education accessible to all through financial aid, scholarships, and grants. As a military-friendly university, we welcome service members and participate in all VA educational benefits programs.
Become the kind of teacher who can help change the lives of your students. Earn your bachelor's degree in special education at GMercyU!
