Program Overview

The University of West Florida's fully online exceptional student and elementary education bachelor's degree program is a fully accredited program that prepares teachers to set high learning expectations for their students and address individual learning needs.

Program Details

• Next Start Date: May 11
• Credit Hours: 132
• Course Length: 16 weeks
• Estimated Program Length: 48 months

Why Study Education at UWF?

A great program for future teachers who want to fulfill a critical shortage by making a difference in the lives of all students, including those with exceptionalities, you will take courses taught by experienced, full-time faculty. Upon completion of this program, graduates are eligible for a Professional Florida Educator's Certificate in Exceptional Student Education (K–12) as well as Elementary Education (K–6) with endorsements in both Reading and English for Speakers of Other Languages.

Clinical Experience

The Exceptional Student and Elementary Education bachelor's degree program includes two 100-hour clinical experiences in K–12 classrooms under the careful supervision of an experienced teacher prior to their student teaching capstone experience.

• Clinical experiences are designed for UWF students to observe effective teaching practices and expand their knowledge base related to content, the learner and learning, instructional practice and professional responsibility.
• Students develop their planning and instructional skills as they tutor individuals and small groups of K–12 students, and provide whole group instruction in reading, writing, mathematics, science and social studies.
• Clinical experience 2 also includes an emphasis on teaching English language learners.

Student Teaching

Student teaching is the capstone experience for students in the Exceptional Student and Elementary Education program. During the semester-long experience, students gradually assume full teaching responsibilities in a general or special education classroom with the guidance and support of an experienced teacher. Students will demonstrate that they can effectively provide all students with rigorous standards-based instruction, and are prepared for their first teaching position.

Accreditation

The B.A. in Exceptional Student Education is accredited based on the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) Standards through Spring 2030. CAEP is the only CHEA recognized national accreditor for educator preparation.

Courses & Requirements

The University of West Florida's B.A. in Exceptional Student Education online program includes a total of 132 credit hours.

• General Education (60 credit hours)
• Major Courses (60 credit hours)
• Student Teaching (12 credit hours)

General Education

Students must satisfy 60 credit hours of general education requirements. The general education requirements are the basic studies that provide students with a broad educational foundation and are essential requirements for all baccalaureate degree programs.

Major Courses

• EDF 3234 - Applied Foundations of Education
• EDG 3945 - Clinical Experience 1
• EDG 4351 - Educational Assessment
• EDG 4373 - Integrated Arts and Contemporary Educational Tools
• EDG 4442 - Effective Learning Environments
• EDG 4949 - Clinical Experience 2
• EEX 3070 - Methods in Inclusion and Collaboration
• EEX 4141 - Teaching Students with Language and Communication Disorders
• EEX 4254 - Instructional Strategies for Teaching Students with Exceptionalities
• EEX 4255 - Curriculum for Teaching Students with Exceptionalities
• EEX 4474 - Curricula for Teaching Students with Severe Disabilities
• EEX 4772 - Personal, Social and Employment Skills for Exceptional Students
• LAE 3314 - Literacy for the Emergent Learner
• MAE 4310 - Teaching Mathematics in the Elementary School
• RED 3310 - Literacy Instruction for Intermediate Learner
• RED 4542 - Assessment and Differentiated Instruction in Reading
• SEX 4310 - Teaching Science in the Elementary School
• SSE 4113 - Social Studies for Elementary Teachers
• TSL 4080 - ESOL Principles and Practices
• TSL 4081 - Teaching English to ESOL Students

Student Teaching

Choose one of the options:

• Option 1:
  • EDG 4936 - Senior Seminar and Clinical Practicum in Reading
  • EDG 4940 - Student Teaching
• Option 2:
  • EDG 4936 - Senior Seminar and Clinical Practicum in Reading
  • EDG 4941 - Teaching Internship I
  • EDG 4942 - Teaching Internship II

Admission Requirements

Prior to applying to UWF's online B.A. in Exceptional Student Education, you must:

• Have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 in all previously attempted college work
• Receive a passing score on the general knowledge test of the Florida Teacher Certification Exam
• Successfully complete EDF 1005: Introduction to Education with a grade of C or better

Careers & Outcomes

Upon completion of our online special education degree program, you can pursue a variety of careers in education. More opportunities and better pay will become available with licensure and certificates.

• Job Titles:
  • Special Education Teachers
  • Kindergarten and Elementary Teachers
  • High School Teachers
• Career Outlook:
  • Demand for special education teachers will be driven by school enrollments and the need for special education services
  • The median annual wage for special education teachers was $62,950 in May 2022

Cost & Financial Aid

• Tuition Rate Per Credit Hour
• Alabama, Military & Financial Aid

Tuition Rate Per Credit Hour

Exceptional Student Education, B.A. Online Certificate Tuition Component | Cost | Total
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In-state Tuition | $218.98 per credit hour | $28,905.36
In-state Tuition with Maximum Transfer Credits (Up to 90) | $218.98 per credit hour | $9,197.16
Full Out-of-state Tuition | $648.37 per credit hour | $85,584.84
75% Out-of-state Tuition | $341.67 per credit hour | $45,100.44

Alabama, Military & Financial Aid

• Alabama Differential Out-of-State Tuition
• Military & Veterans
• UWF Financial Assistance

Featured Courses

A sample of featured courses you will take in the Exceptional Student Education B.A. program.

• EDF 3234 - Applied Foundations of Education
• EDG 4442 - Effective Learning Environments
• EEX 4255 - Curriculum for Teaching Students with Exceptionalities
• EEX 4772 - Personal, Social and Employment Skills for Exceptional Students

Related Programs

• Social Work, BSW
• Curriculum & Instruction, M.Ed. Online
• Elementary Education, B.A.
• Health Sciences B.S. Online - Behavior Analysis

University of West Florida

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Overview:

The University of West Florida (UWF) is a public university offering a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs. It prides itself on providing a personalized learning experience with small class sizes and dedicated faculty. UWF emphasizes a strong student-to-faculty ratio, ensuring individual attention and support.

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Services Offered:

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Student Life and Campus Experience:

UWF offers a vibrant campus community with various facilities and resources. Students can explore the Pensacola campus, UWF Emerald Coast in Fort Walton Beach, UWF Historic Trust in Historic Pensacola, and UWF's downtown Pensacola facilities. A virtual tour is available to experience the campus remotely.

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Key Reasons to Study There:

Personalized Attention:

UWF boasts a 100:1 student-to-faculty ratio, ensuring personalized attention and support from world-renowned professors.

Diverse Programs:

Over 110 undergraduate and graduate programs cater to various interests and career aspirations.

Strong Reputation:

UWF is ranked #100 in the "Top Public School – Regional Universities South" by U.S. News and World Report.

Engaging Campus Life:

UWF offers a vibrant campus community with various facilities and resources, including a virtual tour for remote exploration.

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Academic Programs:

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Other:

UWF actively engages in research and community outreach. Recent initiatives include:

Archaeology Institute Field Schools:

Offering students hands-on experience in archaeological investigations.

HeirStory Project:

Collaborating with a renowned journalist to develop technology for preserving family legacies.

Galapagos Islands Study Abroad:

Providing students with immersive cultural and historical experiences.