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Special Education Academic Behavioral Strategist Bachelor's Online

Seek Your BS in SPED Academic Behavioral Strategist Degree Online

Online

2–4 Years

69–70 Credit Hours (Major)

$305 per Credit

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Begin a Rewarding SPED Program and Prepare for Minnesota Licensure

Channel your passion for education as you prepare for a rewarding career as a licensed special education academic and behavioral strategist with the online special education bachelor’s degree program from Southwest Minnesota State University.

The online BS in Special Education Academic Behavioral Strategist degree program delivers the skills you need to manage K–12 special education classrooms. Plus, attain the credentials you need to pursue licensure in Minnesota.

Program Details

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Courses for Future Special Education Academic and Behavioral Strategists

16-Week Terms

25 Courses

The online bachelor’s degree in special education academic behavioral strategist includes 25 courses for a total of 69–70 credits. SMSU designed the PELSB-accredited special education degree program to include relevant online coursework and fieldwork, delivering the knowledge needed to pursue special education academic and behavioral strategist licensure in Minnesota.

Course Highlights

  • SPED 450: Curriculum Design and Implementation in Special Education
  • SPED 460: Positive Behavior Support in Special Education
  • SPED 485: Autism Spectrum Disorders: Issues and Needs
Curriculum Details

SMSU Admission Requirements

Start Date May 21, 2024 Summer Term 2024

Take the next step toward reaching your professional potential by completing your application for the online BS in SPED Academic Behavioral Strategist degree program today. Support is available from the SMSU enrollment team.

Online Application FormApply Now
Application Fee$20 waivable fee*
Official TranscriptsSend official high school transcripts. Transfer students must send transcripts from each institution attended
Minimum GPA2.5 minimum, 3.0 recommended

It’s always the right time to invest in your education with SMSU. Contact an enrollment counselor by calling 1-800-201-2944 to get started today.

Admissions Details

Tuition and Aid: Financing Your Special Education Online Degree

Calculate your cost for attending SMSU Use our tuition calculator to help you estimate your total tuition costs.  

Whether you’re applying for a college degree for the first time or picking back up where you left off in your education, SMSU’s tuition and aid packages can assist you. With scholarships available and competitive tuition, we can help make your degree program affordable.

Cost per Credit Hour$305
Total Credit Hours120
Total Estimated Cost**$42,388.80 – $42,916.80
Additional Fees$52.64 per credit hour (Fall & Spring)
$48.24 per credit hour (Summer)
Other CostsThe estimated tuition cost does not include factors like textbooks or other expenses

Military Benefits

SMSU proudly welcomes active military and veteran students. We accept the GI Bill™ and VA education benefits. Learn more by contacting an enrollment counselor or by visiting our military benefits page.

Financial Aid Options & Support

Southwest Minnesota State University offers a variety of solutions to help you invest in your education. SMSU offers in-state tuition rates to all students, along with a variety of financial services, including military benefits, financial aid opportunities, and scholarships for qualifying applicants.

Take your next step in financing your education by completing your FAFSA today. Use SMSU’s school code: 002375

Tuition Details

Where Will a Special Education Academic Behavioral Strategist Bachelor’s Degree Lead You?

Schools nationwide face teacher shortages, with special education classrooms experiencing the greatest impacts. The National Center for Education Statistics reported that 43 percent of short-staffed schools struggled to hire special education teachers in 2022.1 These shortages pose challenges in Minnesota, particularly in rural areas.2 Answer the call for special education professionals with the online BS in Special Education Academic Behavioral Strategist program from SMSU.

In-Demand Careers for Special Ed Degree Graduates

Special Education Teacher $62,950 per year3

Behavioral Analyst $70,255 per year4

Program Outcomes

Earning your bachelor’s degree in SPED Academic Behavioral Strategist online with SMSU allows you to join a supportive community of diverse students and expert industry leaders. You’ll gain expert skills and academic credentials for pursuing Minnesota licensure by graduation.

What You’ll Learn

Meet Our Faculty

SMSU employs a faculty of experts who are top-skilled in their fields. Our educators are fully committed to providing each student with personalized and thoughtful instruction to help you succeed academically and professionally.

Faculty Spotlight: Dr. LeAnne Syring

Dr. LeAnne Syring began her education as a non-traditional student after raising four children. She enjoys teaching and has recently completed her Doctor of Philosophy in Early Childhood Education with an emphasis in Inclusion of Students with Special Education Needs. With a love of teaching early childhood and special education, her goal is to continue to teach at the university level until retirement.

Learn Online with Southwest Minnesota State University

Whether you’re enrolling in a degree program for the first time or completing a degree you previously started, learning online with SMSU provides the flexibility you need to be successful. Our online programs offer the same rigorous curriculum delivered on campus, plus the convenience of studying on your schedule from the location of your choice.

Discover SMSU Online

Sources and Disclaimers

  1. The Institute of Education Sciences, National Center for Education Statistics, “U.S. Schools Report Increased Teacher Vacancies Due to COVID-19 Pandemic,” at https://nces.ed.gov/whatsnew/press_releases/3_3_2022.asp (visited October 12, 2023).
  2. KARE11. “Survey finds hundreds of Minnesota teaching vacancies remain unfilled,” at https://www.kare11.com/article/news/local/breaking-the-news/survey-finds-hundreds-of-mn-teaching-vacancies-remain-unfilled/89-96b25870-5c03-484e-8b27-1c0ace77971e (visited October 12, 2023).
  3. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Special Education Teachers, at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/special-education-teachers.htm (visited October 12, 2023).
  4. Payscale.com, Average Behavior Analyst Salary, at https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Behavior_Analyst/Salary (visited October 12, 2023).

*Contact our enrollment team for more details!

**Tuition costs and fees will vary based on semesters of enrollment and number of transfer credits accepted. Contact our enrollment team to learn more.