Online Bachelor’s Degree in Multi-Categorical Special Education
Program Format
Online
Cost per credit hour
$450
Accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Read more about accreditation.
Online Bachelor’s Degree in Multi-categorical Special Education
CREATE Scholarship for South Carolina School Employees - full time (instructional and non-instructional staff, in and out of the classroom) from all school districts
WHO CAN APPLY
Any full-time employee in a South Carolina School district (public and charter) who does not have a Bachelor’s degree can apply regardless of the position—bus driver, maintenance, custodial, and paraprofessional.
SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS AVAILABLE
CREATE underwrites all tuition, textbook, and Praxis II exam costs for qualified participants.
Earn your Bachelor's degree in Multi-categorical Special Education
Apply online
Apply online at swu.edu/apply. Be sure to select BS–Teacher Special Education as your choice of major, and submit all documentation requested by SWU.
Complete your FAFSA
Complete FAFSA by going to www.studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa
SWU FASFA code: 003422
The financial aid office at SWU can be reached at 864-644-5519 or
Register for classes
When your student ID number is received via email, CREATE applicants will contact the SWU CREATE Center Director, Dr. Simone Adams, 864.644.5357 or , to register for and to complete your program of study.
Please remember that you are not enrolled in classes until you actually register for the specific sections you want. Acceptance to SWU does not complete your enrollment process!
Southern Wesleyan Degree Program Partnership
In Fall 2022, Southern Wesleyan University will partner with CREATE to offer a new FULLY ONLINE Bachelor’s degree program in Multi-categorical Special Education that provides initial South Carolina Department of Education licensure to teach. Through this partnership, full time employees (instructional and non-instructional staff, in and out of the classroom) from all school districts across the State are eligible.
SC-CREATE (Centers for the Re-education and Advancement of Teachers in Special Education) is a scholarship program sponsored by the South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) Office of Special Education Services. CREATE underwrites all tuition, textbook, and Praxis II exam costs for qualified participants. To receive continuous funds, you must remain employed full-time in a S.C. public/charter school. CREATE and Southern Wesleyan require that you maintain a minimum GPA throughout the program.
With support from CREATE funding, qualified students earn 120 hours and finish their Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree at Southern Wesleyan University. Field experiences and directed teaching will be completed in your home school district under the supervision of qualified personnel. This program is online, asynchronous (a few classes may require synchronous online sessions), and requires you to have access to a computer with internet service to complete the program.
To apply for this program with CREATE scholarship funds, you must:
- Be employed full-time (any position) in a South Carolina public or charter school.
- Complete the online CREATE application at sccreate.
- Apply online to Southern Wesleyan University at swu.edu/apply and declare B.S. Teacher Special Education as your major.
- Obtain an acceptance letter for Southern Wesleyan University.
- Meet with the CREATE Center director to obtain an approved program of study.
- Complete a CREATE Scholarship Loan Agreement at sccreate..
- Commit to teach in a multi-categorical special education classroom in a S.C. public/charter school for at least three years following completion of the B.S. degree program and obtaining SCDE licensure.
Meredith Gaskin
Online Undergraduate Admissions Counselor
864-644-5562
The CREATE scholarship program is administrated by Joe P. Sutton, PhD, Program Director, Office of Special Education Services, South Carolina Department of Education. For information on how to qualify for scholarship funds, submit your CREATE application online at sccreate. Upon receipt, your application will be processed within 3-5 business days, after which you will receive a CREATE Next Steps email notice with information and documents you must gather and submit in order to qualify for scholarship funds.
Teach those with disabilities with a Special Education Degree – 100% online
You recognize special needs individuals as unique human beings. You understand the similarities and differences between individuals with and without exceptional learning needs. You consider yourself a patient and loving person. Special Education is more than a career, it is a calling. As a Special Education major at SWU, you will gain understanding of the effects that an exceptional condition can have on an individual’s learning in school and throughout life and participate in activities that encompass inclusion, resource, and self-contained programs within elementary, middle and high school programs all online.
Preparation for a Calling
You will be prepared for PK-12 multi-categorical (mild to moderate disabilities) teaching certification in the areas of emotional disabilities/ behavioral disorders, learning disabilities, mental disabilities, autism, and traumatic brain disorders. You will participate in classroom practicum as early as your first year of college.
Career Preparation
This program opens the door to many career possibilities including:
- Teachers in special needs programs within public schools
- Supervisors in programs for special needs students
- Case workers for special needs students/adults
- Transition specialists
- School to work coordinators
Graduate Schools
Our graduates from this program have been accepted into graduate schools including:
- Clemson University
- Furman University
- University of South Carolina
- Vanderbilt University
Graduate Experience
Our graduates have gone into a number of careers and have held jobs with employers such as:
- Anderson County School Districts
- Charleston County School District
- Georgia School System
- Greenville County School District
- Hawaii School System
- Lexington County School District
- Michigan School System
- North Carolina School System
- Oconee County School District
- Pickens County School District
- Southern Wesleyan University
- Various churches and denominations