BSEd in Special Education with Emphasis in Cross Categorical Special Education

Degree Program Description

The Bachelor of Science in Education in Special Education prepares students to work with children from kindergarten through twelfth grade in public, private, and alternative school systems. Students should consider a degree in special education if they enjoy working with children and/or adolescents who are struggling or who have special needs, want to help these students develop into strong citizens, and are excellent collaborators. MU Students work closely with mentors, practicing teachers, administrators, and university faculty to develop the knowledge and skills to enhance learning outcomes for children and youth with and at risk for disabilities. The coursework through the College of Education & Human Development focuses on teachers’ roles in facilitating learning at all levels of development and considers the influences of cultural, political, historical, and economic factors on students, teachers, and schools. Upon successfully completing the initial teacher certification process, the state grants certification in Special Education: Mild-Moderate Cross Categorical. Practical and rewarding clinical training in schools begins sophomore year and continues each semester culminating in a full year senior-level teaching internship, enhancing teaching skills and confidence. Students focus on understanding and teaching students with a range of mild and moderate disabilities. Courses within special education address foundational principles of how to teach students with special needs, including methods in mathematics and literacy, behavior management, language, and introduction and methods in cross categorical instruction, among others.

Major Program Requirements

Students must complete all university, general education, and content requirements, in addition to degree requirements.  Please meet with an Academic Advisor to discuss degree requirements and to create a semester plan.

Teacher Education programs in the College of Education & Human Development are accredited by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). Curriculum changes mandated to earn teacher certification may become effective at any point during your academic program. Therefore, it is extremely important that you DO NOT SELF ADVISE.

Cultural Diversity Requirement-Choose one of the following, or a course from the Multicultural Certificate Course List The course must be in addition to major Education and content course requirements (it cannot double dip with any other professional Education course requirement or content course requirement); however, it may count towards a general education requirement.3
Experiencing Cultural Diversity in the United States
Multicultural Study of Children and Families
or Multicultural Certificate Course (https://multicultural.missouri.edu/application/course-list/)
Early Experiences
SPC_ED 1100Orientation: Special Education (Recommended)1
or LTC 1100 Orientation
LTC 2200School Health and Student Wellbeing3
ESC_PS 2010Inquiry Into Learning I3
ESC_PS 2014Inquiry into Learning I - Field Experience1
or ESC_PS 2014H Inquiry into Learning I - Field Experience - Honors
LTC 2040Inquiring into Schools, Community and Society I3
or LTC 2040H Inquiring into Schools, Community and Society I - Honors
LTC 2044Inquiry into Schools, Community and Society: Field1
IS_LT 2467Inquiry into Empowering Learners with Technology3
SPC_ED 4300Introduction to Special Education3
Mid-Level Experiences
SPC_ED 4325Language Development of Exceptional Students3
SPC_ED 4375Cross Categorical Special Education3
SPC_ED 4940Cross-Categorical Special Education: Practicum I2
LTC 4211Literacy Assessment and Development3
or LTC 4560 Reading and Writing in the Content Areas
LTC 4300Learning and Teaching Elementary Grades Mathematics I3
SPC_ED 4310Behavioral and Classroom Management3
SPC_ED 4370Literacy in Special Education3
SPC_ED 4380Methods in Cross-Categorical Special Education3-4
SPC_ED 4941Practicum in Cross-Categorical II2
SPC_ED 4600Diagnosis and Remediation of Learning Problems in Math - Middle3
SPC_ED 4500Science and Social Studies for Struggling Learners3
Advanced-Level Experiences
SPC_ED 4320Assessment and Evaluation in Special Education3
SPC_ED 4330Collaboration and Consultation in Special Education3
SPC_ED 4371Literacy in Special Education II3
ED_LPA 4060Inquiring into Schools, Community and Society II3
SPC_ED 4981Internship in Special Education4
SPC_ED 4972Capstone Seminar and Portfolio in Special Education1
SPC_ED 4981Internship in Special Education10
LTC 4460Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages3
or LTC 4460H Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages - Honors

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Semester Plan

Below is a sample plan of study, semester by semester. A student’s actual plan may vary based on course choices and where options are available.                      

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
SPC_ED 11001SPC_ED 43003
Cultural Diversity Requirement3LTC 22003
ENGLSH 10003General Education Math Requirement3
Humanities3Humanities3
Biological, Physical, Mathematical Science3American History or Government3
 13 15
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
ESC_PS 2010 or LTC 2040 (Social Science)3ESC_PS 2010 or LTC 2040 (Social Science)3
ESC_PS 2014 or LTC 20441ESC_PS 2014 or LTC 20441
IS_LT 24673Lab Science 3
Biological, Physical, Mathematical Science3Humanities 3
Writing Intensive3Social or Behavioral Science3
Elective2Elective 2
 15 15
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
SPC_ED 43253SPC_ED 43703
SPC_ED 43753SPC_ED 49412
SPC_ED 49402SPC_ED 43804
LTC 4211 or 45603SPC_ED 46003
LTC 43003SPC_ED 45003
SPC_ED 43103 
 17 15
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
SPC_ED 43203SPC_ED 49721
SPC_ED 43303SPC_ED 498110
SPC_ED 43713LTC 44603
ED_LPA 40603 
SPC_ED 49814 
 16 14
Total Credits: 120

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Degree Audit

The degree audit is an automated report reflecting a student’s academic progress toward the completion of a degree. 

MU students can request a degree audit by logging in to myDegreePlanner. Students may also access myDegreePlanner via myZou, in the Student Center, click on the Academic Progress Tile, then select Request Degree Audit. The audit automatically pulls in the student’s MU course work, transfer courses and courses in progress. This is available to current students, admitted students, and those who last attended less than three terms ago.

Past MU students can request a degree audit by contacting the Academic Advising Unit of the division in which they were last enrolled at MU. For contact information, go to https://advising.missouri.edu/contact/.

Prospective students, can access a preliminary MU degree audit via https://www.transferology.com. Information on the college credits already earned will have to be manually entered before it can be evaluated against current degree requirements.

For additional details on degree audits, go to https://registrar.missouri.edu/degrees-audits/degree-audits/.

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Major and Career Exploration

The University of Missouri has many resources to assist you in exploring majors and career possibilities. For guidance, visit the Majors and Careers website or view specific resources below.

  • If you are considering a change of major or are exploring multiple majors, schedule an appointment with an advisor in the Discovery Center by calling (573)884-9700 or through MU Connect Discovery Center service in you success network.

  • If you have decided on a major, visit an academic advisor in the School or College that you are interested in to discuss the process of declaring the major

  • If you would like to learn more about your career interests, abilities, values and talents, visit the MU Career Center. No Appointment is necessary to explore career options with one of our staff members.

For additional major and career exploration resources, visit Major & Career Exploration in the catalog.

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