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With a bachelor’s degree in special education (teaching major in exceptional needs: mild interventions) from Ball State University, you will be well prepared to teach students with mild disabilities, including specific learning disabilities, mild developmental disorders, and mild behavior disorders.

In addition to rigorous academics, our program emphasizes real-world field experiences. You will complete several practicum experiences in classrooms at local schools and engage in service learning at community agencies. Your student teaching experience during the final semester of your program, includes an elementary and secondary placement, and you will graduate with an Indiana license in exceptional needs (mild Interventions K-12).

What You Will Learn

As part of our special education program you will learn methods of instruction and best practices, assessment of students who require mild interventions, adaptive technologies and accommodations, and you will be able to apply your knowledge during multiple field experiences.

You will also:

  • Work with a variety of learners.
  • Administer and interpret norm-referenced and criterion-referenced assessments.
  • Make the connection between assessment and instruction.
  • Be prepared for Response to Intervention (RtI) and progress monitoring.

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National Accreditation

The Teachers College is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation. Learn more.

Program Benefits

Our faculty have extensive real-world experiences in their respective areas of expertise including classroom teaching, clinical supervision, public school administration, program development, and consultation.

Read Their Bios

Our program includes intensive field experiences in a variety of settings. Most courses immerse students in practicum or service learning opportunities, culminating in exciting student teaching options that include Ramstein, Germany, and Aldine Independent School District in Houston, Texas.

Our special education programs are nationally recognized by the Council for Exceptional Children.

The ABA profession has grown along with the rise in diagnosed cases of autism spectrum disorder. There is a tremendous demand for highly skilled individuals to meet the needs of this growing population.

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Dual Major with Elementary Education

Our dual major in elementary education and special education prepares highly skilled teachers who can work with both general education students and with students who require mild interventions to be successful. You'll earn a license in Elementary Education (K-6) and Exceptional Needs: Mild Interventions (K-6) Learn more about Elementary Education.

 Major Requirements

The bachelor’s degree program in mild interventions consists of 120 credits with special emphasis on teaching students who require mild interventions at all grade levels. You will complete one semester of student teaching in both an elementary and secondary setting during your final semester. You must also complete all licensing requirements as directed by the Indiana Department of Education.

Total Credits

120

Courses

A few of the classes you will take include:

  • Legal Foundations of Special Education
  • Assessment in Special Education Including RtI
  • Teaching Methods in Mild Interventions for All Grade Levels
  • Technology in Special Education
  • Transition Planning
  • Collaboration

For a complete list of all the courses you will take and their descriptions, consult our Course Catalog.

View Catalog

What Can You Do with a Degree in Mild Interventions?

A bachelor’s degree in special education with a major in mild interventions will prepare you to enter the classroom as a licensed special education teacher working with students of all ages requiring mild learning interventions. You will be qualified to work in:

  • K-12 education settings
  • Early Childhood Education

Paying for Your Education

Department Scholarships

On top of the dozens of scholarships the university offers its students, our department gives awards every year to its own students to recognize them for their achievements. Learn more.

Ready to Apply?

Are you interested in enrolling in our program? The first step is to apply as an undergraduate student to Ball State University. Begin the journey today.

Get Started 

Questions?

Place matters, and that is particularly true on our beautiful campus—our size, our people, our culture, and our amenities. Come see it for yourself by scheduling a visit through our Office of Undergraduate Admissions. Or if you’d rather speak directly to someone in our department, feel free to call or email us.

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