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Special Education

In our Special Education program at OBU, we emphasize the importance of implementing an individualized, multisensory, hands-on approach to all learners. We study a wide range of disabilities from mild to severe and provide students the instruction necessary to enhance and broaden their knowledge and tailor the program to their area of interest.

Emily Lawrence

Class of 2022

“OBU provided lots of practice hours in the classroom that allowed me to decide first-hand which grade level and subject I enjoyed most. Additionally, it has amazing professors that provide new teaching strategies that are beneficial for today’s classroom. These professors are also extremely encouraging and great at positively critiquing areas to grow in as a teacher.”

Benefits of OBU Special Education Program

When you graduate, you will be prepared and confident to conduct IEP meetings, provide strategies to improve inclusion success and implement positive behavior support in classroom settings to meet the needs of students from an emotional and behavioral standpoint. Throughout the Bible, we are specifically called to serve others and we are told that our service to those around us is service to our Lord. In Matthew 25:40, God tells us that "whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me." (NIV). As a special education teacher, you will have the opportunity to serve God by serving students with disabilities and their families.

Incredible Education, Affordable Cost.

OBU provides a minimum $10,000 per year scholarship to every incoming first-time freshman and $8,000 to every incoming transfer student. And you could qualify for even more financial aid! Many of our students also receive money through federal Pell grants and OBU Bison Grants.

To get an estimate of what your cost to attend OBU might be, please check out our Net Price Calculator. We think you’ll be pleasantly surprised with how affordable an OBU education really is. Especially considering the incredible academic quality, personal mentor relationships with faculty and staff, and strong Christian commitment you will experience at OBU. You won’t find an experience like this anywhere else!

Program Information

Job Opportunities and Outcomes

Graduates find jobs teaching in resource, self-contained or inclusive settings in public and private schools. Others find jobs in facilities such as hospitals, rehabilitation centers, non-profit education centers, vocational and residential programs for adults with disabilities, and early childhood developmental education programs. 

National Accreditation

The School of Education is nationally accredited through CAEP, the Council for Accreditation of Education Preparation. In addition, each licensure area is accredited through the state of Oklahoma. Graduates from our program are eligible to teach locally, nationally, and internationally. Faculty in the education program have a combined experience of over 100 years in public school education.  

Field Experiences

One of the many noted strengths of the OBU Education program is the amount of field experience/practicum time that is provided across the four years of the degree program. You will be asked to complete between 85 – 120 hours of observation and practicum experiences in local schools prior to student teaching. Many students even have the opportunity to compete a practicum in a virtual, online setting. Field experiences allow students to tutor children, teach small groups and whole classes, and practice differentiation and classroom management. Unique to OBU and a student favorite is the creation of an Interactive Children’s Museum over a topic of history and a fun-filled science discovery STEM day with hands-on learning for children.

Research

Through coursework, pre-service teachers are exposed to the latest research-based practices in education. Additionally, all education majors have the opportunity to conduct a comprehensive investigation of a research topic of their own interest. Pre-service teachers present about their topic to their peers, and some even go on to present their research to practicing teachers at educational conferences.

Equipment

OBU teacher education supports preservice teachers in understanding and utilizing latest educational technology such as Smartboards, iPads, learning management systems, and assistive technology. Preservice teachers are also introduced to the OBU Planetarium as a tool for engaging learners.

Internship Opportunities

Field experiences culminate in a 14-week internship of student teaching during your senior year. Efforts are made to pair you with your school of preference within 50 miles of OBU. Students also can choose to student teach abroad.

Student Organizations

Students are invited to participate in professional teacher education organizations, such as the Student Council for Exceptional Children (SCEC) and Student Professional Oklahoma Educators (SPOE), which enables them to network with other preservice and in-service educators across the state and nation. Students are also invited to travel to state and national conferences which offer professional development related to innovative, researched-based practices within the field of education.

Faith Integration

Through the coursework and field experience in the teacher education program at OBU, students learn first-hand how to share the love of Christ in the classroom. All children are created in the image of God, each with his own unique gifts and talents. The teacher education program focuses on celebrating the uniqueness and diversity within schools and classrooms. Pre-service teachers learn to focus on each child’s strengths to offer an engaging, rigorous curriculum while striving to meet all academic, social, cultural, and behavior needs to the best of their ability.

Program Options

Bachelor of Science in Education (BSE)

World-Class Faculty

OBU faculty are experts in their fields and will be with you every step of the way.

Dr. Elizabeth Justice

Dr. Elizabeth Justice

Chair, School of Education
Lawrence C. and Marion Harris Chair of Education
Associate Professor of Education
Co-Director, Master of Arts in Teaching and ACCESS Programs

Dr. Jeanne Akin

Dr. Jeanne Akin

Mary A. White Professor of Education

Dr. Rebecca Farley

Dr. Rebecca Farley

Associate Professor of Education

Annie Keehn

Annie Keehn

Assistant Professor of Education
Co-Director, Master of Arts in Teaching and ACCESS Programs

Dr. Kellie D. Young

Dr. Kellie D. Young

Violet Sturgeon Minton Associate Professor of Early Childhood Education