Graduate with the skills needed to successfully serve students with exceptional needs in a variety of settings. Our programs in the Department of Special Education will prepare you for a career as a special education teacher, administrator, ABA therapist, curriculum developer, or researcher. As one of our students, you will benefit from our comprehensive programs, which are fully accredited and nationally recognized by the Council for Exceptional Children. You will also apply your academic knowledge to the real world through numerous practical field experiences.

Degrees and Certificates

Bachelor's
students at equestrian camp

Applied Behavior Analysis (Autism) Major

Bachelor of Arts or Science (ONLINE OR BLENDED)

As a graduate of Ball State’s program in Applied Behavior Analysis with an emphasis in autism spectrum disorder, you will help children and adults to address socially significant behaviors such as academic skills, social skills, or adaptive skills, to name a few. Learn more: online option | blended option.

Applied Behavior Analysis student teacher in a supervised practical session with schoolchildren

Applied Behavior Analysis (Online)

Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science

Housed in Ball State’s award-winning Teachers College, the online Bachelor's in Applied Behavior Analysis prepares you to use evidence-based methods to improve the lives of individuals with various needs. This unique program, one of the few online options nationwide, allows you to gain the knowledge and skills required to pursue the BCaBA credential and a fulfilling career in ABA. Learn More

students in TEACH Lab

Exceptional Needs: Early Childhood Special Education Major

Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science (ON CAMPUS)

Ball State’s major in early childhood special education prepares you for a fulfilling career working with infants and toddlers with exceptional needs. Learn more.

student at Indiana School for the Deaf

Teaching Major in Exceptional Needs: Deaf Education

Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science (ON CAMPUS)

The bachelor’s degree in Exceptional Needs: Deaf Education prepares future teachers to serve deaf and hard of hearing students. Learn more.

student at Storer Elementary

Exceptional Needs: Intense Interventions

Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science (ON CAMPUS)

The bachelor’s degree in Exceptional Needs: Intense Intervention prepares future teachers to serve students with moderate to profound disabilities. This program results in eligibility for K-12 licensure for Intense Interventions as well as K-6 licensure for Mild Interventions. Learn more.

student volunteering for Beyond I CAN

Exceptional Needs: Mild Interventions

Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science (ON CAMPUS)

Our bachelor’s degree in Exceptional Needs: Mild Interventions leads to K-12 licensure to teach students with mild to moderate intervention needs, including students with specific learning disabilities, behavior disorders, and developmental disorders. Learn more.

A teacher works with elementary school children

Elementary and Special Education Dual Major

Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science (On Campus)

Earning this dual major will help you become a highly skilled teacher licensed to work with both general education students and students who require mild interventions to be successful. You’ll learn from faculty with extensive real-world experience. Learn more.

School children sitting on the floor doing their work

Early Childhood and Early Childhood Special Education Dual Major

Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science (On Campus)

Get the skills you need to work with all children, including those with exceptional needs and disabilities. This dual major is in-demand and will prepare you to teach in a preschool or school setting. Learn more.

student teaching child

Master's Degree in Applied Behavior Analysis

Master of Arts (ONLINE)

A master’s degree in applied behavior analysis with an emphasis in autism will set you ahead in a field that already has extremely high demand for specialized teachers, psychologists, therapists, clinicians and other human service professionals. Learn more.

child hugging teacher


Master's Degree in Special Education

Master of Arts (ONLINE OR BLENDED)

The master’s degree in special education is designed to be tailored to the specific needs of each candidate. The master’s degree can be combined with any of the graduate certificates and graduate licenses. Learn more.

TEACH Lab

PhD in Special Education

ONLINE

If you are interested in pursuing a leadership role in special education, then Ball State’s PhD in Special Education is right for you. Learn more.

Undergraduate Certificate in Behavioral Studies

Ball State’s undergraduate certificate in behavioral studies provides individuals with verified course content in applied behavior analysis.

Online

Graduate Certificate in American Sign Language and Deaf Studies

Online

Our graduate certificate in American Sign Language (ASL) and Deaf Studies will help you learn how to communicate in ASL and to teach your students the language they need every day. The certificate is relevant to many fields of study and will provide you with a new cultural awareness of deaf education. Learn more.

Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis

Online

Increase your understanding of core concepts and strategies used to treat various kinds of behavioral challenges with our all-online graduate certificate in applied behavior analysis. The certificate is an important step toward becoming a board-certified behavior analyst. You may also earn credits toward our master’s degree in applied behavior analysis. Learn more.

Graduate Certificate in Autism

Online

You will be prepared to provide intervention for individuals on the autism spectrum. Our graduate certificate in autism, offered completely online, will also allow you to earn credits toward our master’s degrees in applied behavior analysis and special education. Learn more. 

Graduate Certificate in Emotional and Behavioral Disorders

Online

People who work in education, psychology, criminal justice, social work, speech/language, and related fields will find our certificate in emotional and behavior disorders invaluable in meeting the growing demand for professionals with this expertise. The credits you earn through this all-online program will also apply toward our master of arts in special education. Learn more.

Graduate Certificate in Disabilities for Post-Secondary Settings

Online

For teachers and administrative staff in a college or post-secondary setting, our all-online graduate certificate in disabilities for post-secondary settings with an emphasis in autism will help you develop, implement, and evaluate needs and services for your students. Learn more. 

License for a Director of Exceptional Needs

Online

For anyone with or working on a master’s degree, our license for a director of exceptional needs prepares you to handle the administration, finances, and legal needs of special education programs. This program, offered entirely online, leads to Indiana licensure (residents of other states should discuss this program with their boards of education before beginning this program). Learn more.

License Addition for Deaf Education

Online

You will be prepared to work with students with hearing impairments through our all-online license in deaf education program. You will need a licensure evaluation from Ball State before starting the program. Learn more.

License in Early Childhood Special Education

Online

Our license in early childhood special education program focuses on teaching infants and toddlers who require mild to intense interventions. You will need a licensure evaluation from Ball State before starting the program. Learn more.

License Addition for Exceptional Needs: Mild Interventions

Online

Ball State’s fully online license addition program can help you add a license in Exceptional Needs--Mild Interventions K-12, can be added to your existing teaching credentials. Our Exceptional Needs-Mild Interventions license addition program focuses on students of all ages with emotional and behavioral disorders, developmental disorders, and specific learning disabilities who require mild intervention. Learn more.

License Addition for Exceptional Needs: Intense Interventions

Online

This online program offers those with an existing teaching license the opportunity to add the Indiana license for Exceptional Needs – Intense Interventions K-12. Courses focus on knowledge and skills necessary to successfully support the learning needs of students with moderate to profound intellectual impairment, multiple disabilities, orthopedic impairment, autism, traumatic brain injury, and other disability categories. Learn more.

Other Licenses and Certifications

Our Office of Teacher Education Services and Clinical Practices offers other training and certification programs that are often requirements for educators.

Minor in American Sign Language

ONLINE

ASL, a visual-gestural language, has the components of a true language and is a minor to consider if you expect to use ASL as a second language in your profession. Learn more.

Minor in Applied Behavior Analysis

ONLINE

Ball State’s minor in applied behavior analysis equips you to work with children and adults with autism spectrum disorder, behavior disorders, or cognitive disabilities. Learn more.

Minor in Autism Spectrum Disorder

ONLINE

Whether you plan to work in special education, education, nursing, psychology, speech/language pathology, or social work, this minor will prepare you to use autism theories, techniques, and treatments in your career setting. Learn more.

Minor in Deaf Studies

ONLINE

You will graduate with strong professional preparation and understanding in ASL (American Sign Language) and deaf culture. This minor supplements majors in human services. Learn more.

Minor In Early Childhood Special Education

BLENDED

With a minor in early childhood special education from Ball State, you’ll graduate equipped to serve infants and toddlers who require mild interventions. Learn more.