Special Education Online Program

  • Bachelor of Science
  • Darden College of Education & Professional Studies
  • Department of Communication Disorders & Special Education

Degree completion

  • For students with some college credits
  • Complete at least 30 credits online from ODU
OR

Full degree

  • A start-to-finish curriculum for students to earn a degree online from ODU
  • 30 credit hours minimum, including practicums
Request Info

Why ODU for Special Education?

In this program, you will learn from faculty who have direct and current school-based special education experience, and you'll be supported with career mentoring from former school professionals.

You can choose from two special education majors: general curriculum or adapted curriculum.

  • General Curriculum K-12 prepares you to teach children with mild disabilities.
  • Adapted Curriculum K-12 prepares you to teach children with moderate to severe or multiple disabilities.

You will also complete extensive field work and a teacher candidate internship, which will provide opportunities to apply your knowledge of teaching under supervision in the school setting.

When you graduate, you will earn a Bachelor of Science in special education. You also will be eligible for Virginia teacher licensure with endorsement in either general or adapted curriculum. If you want to be licensed in a different state, we encourage you to check your state's teacher licensure requirements before applying.

Want to learn more? Contact us!

* Indicates a required field


















  • Ranked #3

    Best Online Bachelor's in Special Education, 2024
    - Intelligent.com

  • Ranked #6

    Best Online Bachelor's in Education, 2021 - AcademicInfluence.com

Guaranteed Admission

We've partnered with the Virginia Community College System and select educational institutions to make transferring easy. The Guaranteed Admission Agreement is intended to ease the transfer process between these schools and Old Dominion University.

Special Education teacher helping students seated at a table with homework

  • Required Courses - Special Education Degree Online

    To earn a bachelor's degree from ODU, you must complete at least 30 credit hours with us. This bachelor’s program requires 120 total credit hours.

    This online program includes a student teaching internship, which requires a clearance background check.

    Talk with our enrollment team to determine if you have credits that will transfer or to start an application.

  • Online Learning Environment

    Access course materials online from any location. Some classes will have live, regular online meeting times, while others will not. Instructors may schedule assignments and exams at specific times. This program requires a practicum or internship. All courses follow ODU's regular academic calendar.

  • Careers in Special Education

    • Teaching: Primary, Elementary, Secondary
    • With additional training, experience, and/or education: Principal, Superintendent, Media/Library/Information Services, Curriculum Supervision, Subject Area Supervision

    Note for students in Washington State from the Student Achievement Council:

    "Eligibility for initial education certification in Washington is based on completion of a state approved educator preparation program. This program is approved in Virginia and is authorized for field placements in Washington by the Professional Educators Standards Board. Even though you may be residing in Washington while in this program, your application for educator certification in Washington will be processed as an out-of-state application. Go to http://pathway.pesb.wa.gov/archive/outofstate for more information. Teachers are advised to contact their individual school districts as to whether this program may qualify for teacher advancement."

  • Calculating Cost

    In-state Virginia Residents
    $393 per credit hour*
    Out-of-State Students
    $426 per credit hour

    Active duty military students may qualify for a discounted undergraduate tuition rate.

    These tuition rates are effective Fall 2023 and subject to change. 
    * In-state rate assumes residency requirements are met.

State Licensure

The curriculum in this program is designed to prepare students for Virginia teacher licensure to teach special education general or adapted curriculum, grades K-12.

Use these links to see if we have determined whether this program meets requirements in other states. If you live outside Virginia, we encourage you to check your state's teacher licensure requirements before applying to ODU.

Meet Your Team

Our dedicated enrollment team will guide your transition to ODUGlobal.

Ready to get started?

  • How to Apply

    This program is available completely online, which means you can apply to ODU as a freshman.

    Already have college credits? Before you apply, our enrollment team can provide a free transfer evaluation to see how your credits will transfer to ODU.

    For this special education program, additional assessments for licensure are required once admitted to the University.

  • Get Guaranteed Admission to ODU

    ODU has partnered with the Virginia Community College System and select educational institutions to make transferring easy. 

    Learn more about Guaranteed Admission to ODU.