Special Education (Licensure)
CBU’s atmosphere of free inquiry, dialogue, and interfaith concern will also help you grow in your ability to think critically and creatively.
At Christian Brothers University, the Special Education Bachelor’s Degree prepares you to build inclusive classrooms for students with disabilities while meeting Tennessee’s teacher licensure requirements. This Special Education BA is one of six licensure-track majors in CBU’s Department of Education, alongside Early Childhood, Liberal Studies (K-5), English, Mathematics, and Natural Science education.
Here at CBU, we fully commit to providing an inclusive learning environment for all. It’s where we started over 300 years ago with St. John Baptist de La Salle’s commitment to teaching the young people in Rheims, France. That same mission drives the special education program in Memphis today. When you enroll in the Special Education major, you make an even deeper commitment to create successful inclusion environments for students with disabilities.
When you complete this program, you will be ready to meet licensure requirements for the State of Tennessee but you won’t have to get there on your own. Our supportive faculty and the highly successful teachers we partner with as mentors will guide you through field experiences and classroom practice. And if you decide the special education classroom isn’t the place where you want to serve others, we’ll help you find another path as an education advocate, early intervention specialist, educational audiologist, or speech and language pathologist.
Coursework combines general education, liberal arts, and a dedicated special education major sequence with heavy professional education requirements. It’s a rigorous path among special ed degree programs nationally.
What Sets CBU’s Special Education Courses Apart
Unlike large state programs, CBU’s special education BA runs on an 11:1 student-faculty ratio (university-wide average), meaning your professors know your name and your teaching style before you ever step into a practicum.
- State-recognized quality – CBU’s Department of Education earned “Exceeding Expectation,” Tennessee State Board of Education’s highest distinction, on the latest Annual Educator Preparation Report Card. This is a rating based on candidate recruitment, employee outcomes, and teacher effectiveness.
- Direct classroom immersion – The Department of Education emphasizes strong school partnerships and practical training in real Memphis-area classrooms. Field experience is built into the pathway rather than bolted on at the end.
- Addressing real local needs – CBU frames the program explicitly around Memphis’s ongoing teacher shortage. This means that graduates enter a market actively recruiting special education teachers rather than competing for saturated positions.
Special Education Program Highlights
Direct instruction and assessment training – CBU’s curriculum teaches you to diagnose learning needs and deliver individualized instruction.
Family and community engagement built in – reflects how central family collaboration is to effective special education.
Progressive, staged practicum experience – Three sequenced practicum and portfolio courses build classroom management skills step by step.
EdTPA-focused licensure prep – A dedicated preparation course prepares you for the national teacher performance assessment required for licensure in Tennessee.
Human development and psychology foundations – Coursework in educational psychology, human development, and family sociology grounds your practice in how learners grow and change.
CAEP- accredited – CBU’s program is approved by the Tennessee Department of Education as a Teacher Training Institution
View Special Education Course Requirements Teacher Education Program (TEP) ApplicationSpecial Education BA Program Requirements and Prerequisites
The Special Ed degree program requires a total of 125 credit hours. Along with general education and liberal arts courses, special education prerequisites needed to complete the major include:
- Exceptional Learner Foundations
- Educational and Developmental Psychology
- Classroom Management and Curriculum Methods
- Professional Foundations
Why Choose the Special Education Degree Program at CBU?
Choosing a special education degree is choosing to work where the need is greatest and the impact is most personal. At Christian Brothers University, that choice comes with the structure to back it up.
- Field experience with mentor teachers – Faculty and partner classroom teachers guide you through practicum placements and student teaching before you’re on your own.
- Tennessee licensure pathway – Graduates meet the state’s licensure requirements for special education upon completion.
- Flexible special education career direction – The same coursework also positions you for related roles like education advocate, early intervention specialist, educational audiologist, or speech and language pathologist if the classroom isn’t your final destination.
- Small, mission-driven campus – CBU’s education programs sit within the McEniry School of Business, Education, and Humanities, in a Lasallian tradition centered on inclusive learning.
Skills You’ll Develop with CBU’s Special Education Major
Following CBU’s Special Education major guides you into developing a practical skillset you’ll rely on every day in the classroom. By the time you graduate, you’ll be equipped to assess individual needs, manage diverse classrooms, and collaborate effectively with the people who support each student’s success.
- Individualized assessment and instruction design
- Classroom and behavior management
- Collaborative communication
- Developmental and psychological insight
- Professional reflection and self-assessment
Special Education Career Opportunities
A special education degree opens many doors outside the traditional classroom.
- Special Education teacher (PreK-12) – teach in public and private K-12 schools where you will adapt instruction and manage individualized education plans (IEPs) for students with a range of disabilities.
- Early Intervention Specialist – Work in early childhood and community-based programs where you will often travel to homes or preschools to support infants and toddlers with developmental delays.
- Education advocate – Support families through nonprofits, school districts, and family services by reviewing evaluations, preparing for IEP meetings, and helping ensure students receive the services they’re entitled to.
- Educational Audiologist – Operate within school systems and clinical settings where you will evaluate hearing and auditory processing, fit assistive listening devices, and collaborate on IEPs for students with hearing impairments.
- Speech and Language Pathologist – Practice in schools, clinics, and private practices where you will address communication disorders that affect learning and social development.
Benefits of Choosing a Career in Special Education
A few things worth noting if you’re weighing this path:
- Job security remains a real advantage. The field isn’t shrinking in demand. Turnover and retirements keep tens of thousands of positions opening annually, and special education specifically faces chronic shortages that keep qualified graduates in demand.
- CBU’s licensure track targets entry requirements directly. A bachelor’s degree is the typical entry-level education requirement for special education teaching roles. CBU’s program offers this alongside Tennessee licensure eligibility.
Related Education Degrees at CBU
If you’re comparing education degree programs, CBU offers several other licensure tracks in the same department.
- Early Childhood Education (PreK-3)
- Liberal Studies (K-5)
- English Education (6-12)
- Mathematics Education (6-12)
- Natural Science Education (6-12)
Accreditation
Christian Brothers University is approved by the State Department of Education of Tennessee as a Teacher Training Institution. CBU’s undergraduate and graduate education programs are accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).
Meet the Faculty
Frequently Asked Questions – Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education
What is a Special Education Degree?
A special ed degree prepares teachers to work with students who have physical, intellectual, emotional, or learning disabilities. The degree program adapts instruction and builds inclusive classroom environments. At CBU, this is a Bachelor of Arts that combines general education, liberal arts, and special education courses with a strong professional education component, leading to teacher licensure.
How many credit hours does the Special Education degree require?
The education degree requires 125 total credit hours: 34 in general education, 36 in liberal arts, 15 in the special education major, 3 in major electives, and 37 in professional education requirements.
Will I be licensed to teach after completing this special ed degree?
Completing the special education degree program prepares you to meet Tennessee’s state licensure requirements for special education teachers. You’ll work through field experiences and classroom practice alongside faculty and mentor teachers before graduating.
Are these special education programs accredited?
Yes. Christian Brothers University’s education programs are accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). CBU is approved by the Tennessee Department of Education as a Teacher Training Institution.
What special education careers can I pursue besides classroom teaching?
Graduates are also prepared for related paths such as education advocate, early intervention specialist, educational audiologist, or speech and language pathologist.
Where is the special education program located?
The program is offered on CBU’s campus in Memphis, TN. You can visit Admissions & Aid directly for campus visit or application questions.
