B.A. in Special Education

  • B.A.
  • Undergraduate
  • On Campus
  • Education

Help create an environment where all learners succeed. Prepare for a rewarding career with a B.A. in Special Education.

Why Study Special Education at Rivier?

Graduates of our B.A. in Special Education program are equipped to work with Kindergarten to Grade 12 students with special needs, including learning, physical, and mental impairments and disabilities. Rivier’s Special Education program includes courses in early childhood and elementary education, as well as specialized courses in evaluation, assessment, and inclusive instruction.

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As a Special Education major, you will earn a minor in another discipline and complete the New Hampshire State Department of Education Professional Standards for Teachers, both of which are required for certification.

In the B.A. in Special Education program, you will:

  • Become an effective educator and communicator
  • Connect theory with practice for classroom success
  • Develop your critical thinking and problem-solving skills

Fall 2023 Grants – Incoming Education majors are eligible for an Education Innovation Grant. First-time, first-year students will be awarded a $3,000 grant each year, renewable for four years for a total of $12,000 in financial support, in addition to a competitive financial aid package. This grant award supports students pursuing degrees in education.

Get Ready for the World

Through a focus on experiential learning and field experience beginning your freshman year, you will build your skills, resume, and professional network. Our proximity to some of the finest school districts in our state offers excellent opportunities for internships and employment. You will gain practical experience through a semester-long student teaching assignment, which will build your confidence in the classroom as well as your resume, and further develop your skills.

Upon completion of this program, you will be eligible for certification in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. Territories, the Department of Defense Education Activity, Alberta, British Columbia, and Ontario per the NASDTEC Interstate Agreement.

One of the really special things about the education program is that you go out into the field in your freshman year. So right away, you are able to tell 'Am I in the right field? Am I doing what I want to be doing?' It's a great feeling knowing you are on the right path.

Where Will Your Degree Take You?

With a B.A. in Special Education, you will be prepared for a rewarding teaching career.

Careers

  • Special education teachers (K-12)
  • Resource room teachers
  • Special education administrators
  • Vocational rehabilitation counselors
  • Disability support services specialists
  • Adult literacy or GED/HiSTEP educators
  • Learning center directors

Graduate Studies

Our alumni are well prepared to pursue graduate studies in education, counseling, administration, and other related fields.

Dr. Naomi Schoenfeld, Associate Professor of Education, believes instilling an awareness of individual student needs is the greatest lesson for her students. “The most valuable thing that I try to teach is a special kind of awareness,” she says. “There are still so many children with exceptionalities who are invisible to the system. If I can teach my students to notice what others may not, and to then act on what they see, then I’ve done my job well.”

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Hands-On Learning

Get access to real-world practitioners and secure internships that match your skills and interests to build the career of your dreams.

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Prepare for a rewarding career with the B.A. in Special Education.