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Special Education Degree Admissions Requirements
Key takeaway: Getting admitted to a university is usually the easier step. Teacher preparation programs commonly add a second gate – admission to the educator preparation program itself, after you complete introductory coursework – and a background check before any classroom placement. Plan for both from the start rather than discovering them in year two.
Admissions requirements for online special education programs vary by school. Most online bachelor’s programs use open or moderately selective admission at the university level, then apply a separate, more structured review before you enter the professional sequence.
Quick Answers
What do online special education bachelor’s programs typically require?
Commonly a high school diploma or equivalent, official transcripts from high school and any prior colleges, and a completed application. Some schools use placement assessments in math or English to determine course placement rather than to deny admission.
What is admission to the teacher preparation program?
At many universities you are admitted to the institution first, then apply separately to the educator preparation program after completing introductory coursework. This second review often considers your GPA and your performance in foundational courses. Ask what that review requires and what happens to students who do not pass it.
Will I need a background check?
Almost certainly, before any field experience or student teaching placement. Schools and districts require it because you will be working directly with children. Requirements and disqualifying findings are set by states and districts, not by us – if you have any concern about your record, raise it with the program and your state department of education early, not after you have paid tuition.
Do I need classroom experience to apply?
Generally no for a bachelor’s program. Prior experience as a paraprofessional, aide, tutor, or camp counselor is not usually required, though it can strengthen an application and will make your field placements feel more familiar.
Can I apply as a transfer student?
Yes, and many online special education students do. Bring official transcripts from every prior institution and ask for a formal credit evaluation before you commit, so you know how much of your prior work counts.
At a Glance
- University admission: High school diploma or equivalent, transcripts, application
- Second gate: Separate admission to the educator preparation program at many schools
- Background check: Required before field experience and student teaching
- Transfer students: Official transcripts from every prior institution
- State requirements: Set by your state department of education, separate from admissions
For the complete program picture, start at the Special Education Program Guide.
What bachelor’s programs require at the point of application
Key takeaway: The initial application is usually straightforward; the academic filtering happens later.
Typical requirements at open and moderately selective online programs:
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Official transcripts from high school and any colleges attended
- A completed application, often with no fee at online-focused schools
- Placement assessment in math or English at some schools, used to place you in the right course rather than to reject you
- A personal statement or short essay at some schools, particularly more selective programs
Selective programs may add a GPA review, essays, or recommendations. Whether that selectivity is worth pursuing depends on your goals and where you plan to teach.
The second gate: admission to the educator preparation program
This is the requirement prospective students most often miss.
At many universities, being admitted to the school does not admit you to the teaching major. After you complete introductory coursework – typically foundations of education, child development, and general education requirements – you apply separately to the educator preparation program. That review commonly looks at:
- Your cumulative GPA, and sometimes your GPA in specific courses
- Completion of designated prerequisite courses
- A background check
- Sometimes a writing sample, interview, or disposition assessment
- Any additional requirements your state attaches to program entry
Before you enroll anywhere, ask two questions: what does admission to the educator preparation program require, and what are my options if I do not meet it? A program that answers both clearly is telling you something useful.
Background checks and clearances
Field experience and student teaching put you in classrooms with children, so schools and districts require background clearance first. The specifics – what checks are run, who runs them, what findings matter – are set by state law and district policy, and they vary.
If you have anything in your record that concerns you, address it before enrolling. Contact your state department of education and ask directly. This is a case where an early, awkward conversation is far cheaper than finding out after two years of coursework.
Transfer students
Many special education students transfer in credit, and some come from community college programs or from working in schools in support roles.
Ask for a formal transfer credit evaluation before you commit, and ask specifically:
- How many credits transfer, and toward which requirements?
- Do any transfer courses satisfy the special education major core?
- Do they satisfy state licensure coursework requirements, which is a separate question?
- What is the residency requirement – how many credits must you complete at this institution?
See Affordable Online Special Education Degrees for how transfer credit affects total cost.
What admissions does not cover: state licensure
Being admitted to a program, and even graduating from it, is not the same as being licensed. Public-school special education teachers need a state-issued teaching license or certification, and each state sets its own requirements. Your state department of education is the authority.
Do this check before you apply, not after you graduate: contact your state department of education with the specific program name and confirm it is recognized for licensure where you intend to teach. Separately, verify the school’s institutional accreditation through the U.S. Department of Education database and look for CAEP or AAQEP review of the preparation program.
Compare next
- Online Special Education Bachelor’s Degree
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- Is a Special Education Degree Worth It
- Related fields: Elementary Education | Education | Psychology
- Compare schools: Best Accredited Online College
Data verified: July 30, 2026. Salary, employment, and tuition figures on this page are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS May 2025; Employment Projections 2024–2034) and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (2023 cohort). The source agency and data year are cited inline with every statistic.
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