Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Major in Education (Applied Special Education; Teacher Certification in Special Education, Early Childhood through Grade Twelve; Instructional Aide Pathway) - via Distance Education

Minimum required: 121 semester credit hours

Admission Requirements

Declaration into the degree program requires documentation of two years of service as an instructional aide (otherwise known as paraprofessional or teacher's assistant) in a PK-12 public or accredited private school.  Degree progress will require continued employment as an instructional aide and admittance to the Educator Preparation Program (see those separate criteria here). 

General Requirements

1. To satisfy graduation requirements for teacher certification, students must have an Overall GPA of at least 2.75, as well as grades of “C” or better in all courses within the Major(s), Teaching Field(s), Certification area(s), and/or in the Education Minor.
2. Students entering Texas State with fewer than 16 hours completed after high school graduation will be required to take US 1100. All others will be exempt from taking this course but will be required to earn an additional free elective, if needed, to reach the 120 minimum total hour requirement for the awarding of a degree.

3. The general education core curriculum courses are listed in the degree plan below along with the statewide component code number. See the General Education Core Curriculum section of this catalog for the Texas State requirements and options in the core curriculum, including Honors courses.

4. The Texas Education Agency (TEA) requires multiple background checks for progression through the Educator Preparation Program. Based on information recorded in your criminal history, you may be ineligible for issuance of a teaching certificate upon completion of the Educator Preparation Program. If you have a criminal history, you may obtain a Preliminary Criminal History Evaluation from TEA. For more information, go to:  https://tea.texas.gov/Texas_Educators/Investigations/Preliminary_Criminal_History_Evaluation-FAQs/.

Course Requirements 

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While not recommended, previously completed courses in some areas can be substituted for the following degree requirements:

• MATH 2321 or MATH 2417 or MATH 2471 with a grade of “C” or better can satisfy the MATH 1315 or MATH 1319 requirement.
• BIO 1321 or BIO 1330 or BIO 1331 with a grade of "C" or better can satisfy the BIO 1320 requirement.