BAESSPEE · Current · 124 CUs

Bachelor of Arts, Educational Studies in Special and Elementary Education

Source: WGU Program Guide·v202603·12/11/2025·medium confidence

About This Degree

WGU Catalog 2026-03

The Bachelor of Arts, Educational Studies in Special and Elementary Education (BAESSPEE), is a competency- based degree program that includes content knowledge related to special education (K-12) and elementary (K-8) teaching. The Special Education, Mild to Moderate and Elementary program is specifically designed for individuals interested in interacting with students with mild to moderate disabilities. This program consists of online courses which take the learner from general education, through methods of instruction, assessment, and classroom management to special education courses for interacting with students with mild to moderate exceptionalities. This program does not include a supervised teaching practicum in a real classroom and therefore does not meet the requirements for initial teacher licensure. This program is for individuals who, for various reasons, want the academic knowledge that relates to teaching, but who cannot or do not want to participate in a supervised classroom practicum and do not expect to be eligible to teach as a result of completing the program. This is a non-licensure program and will not, in any state, lead to an institutional recommendation for licensure.

Official catalog text — WGU-authored.

Degree History

First offered2024-09StatusCurrentCUs (latest)124(was 113)

Program Learning Outcomes

WGU Catalog 2026-03

Official WGU-authored outcomes from the catalog Program Outcomes section.

•The graduate demonstrates an ongoing commitment to applying the science of learning to instructional practice, supporting unique learning needs, engaging with learners and families, developing and utilizing varied assessment methods, creating mutually respectful relationships with and between students, integrating technology to enhance learning, and to growing their professional dispositions as an educator.
•The graduate applies a comprehensive understanding of foundational special education subject matter and learning standards to support student learning effectively.
•The graduate applies learning sciences and the instructional cycle knowledge and developmentally appropriate practices to actively engage students in the learning process and foster a culture conducive to academic growth.

Areas of Study

5 groups · 40 courses

Course groups from the WGU Program Guide. Expand each group to see course descriptions and competencies.

Course Roster (41 courses)

WGU Catalog 2026-03

Term 1

Code	Title	CUs
D663	The Professional Educator	3
D269	Composition: Writing with a Strategy	3
D268	Introduction to Communication: Connecting with Others	3
D664	Learners and Learning Science	3

Term 2

Code	Title	CUs
D270	Composition: Successful Self-Expression	3
C165	Integrated Physical Sciences	3
D459	Introduction to Systems Thinking and Applications	3
D662	Personalized Learning for Inclusive Classrooms	3

Term 3

Code	Title	CUs
D661	Creating Positive Learning Environments	3
D771	Quantitative Literacy	3
D773	Technology and Ethics: Emerging Trends and Society	3
D658	Planning Instructional Strategies for Meaningful Learning	3

Term 4

Code	Title	CUs
D659	Assessing and Monitoring Student Learning	3
C190	Introduction to Biology	3
D753	Behavioral Intervention Strategies and Applied Behavior Analysis	4
D754	Special Education Law, Policies and Procedures	3

Term 5

Code	Title	CUs
C963	American Politics and the US Constitution	3
D772	Statistical Data Literacy	3
D660	Instructional Technology and Online Pedagogy	3
D755	Assessment for Special Education	3

Term 6

Code	Title	CUs
D756	Individualized Education Plan (IEP) Collaboration and Communication with Parents and School Staff	3
D668	Elementary Literacy Curriculum	3
D669	Early Literacy Methods	3
D670	Elementary Literacy Methods	3

Term 7

Code	Title	CUs
D688	Foundations of Literacy Through Literature	3
D689	Literacy Assessment and Interventions	3
D769	Secondary Literacy Methods and Interventions	3
D691	Elementary Mathematics Curriculum	3

Term 8

Code	Title	CUs
D692	Early Mathematics Methods and Interventions	3
D693	Elementary Mathematics Methods and Interventions	3
D757	Special Education Curriculum	3
D758	Considerations for Instructional Planning for Learners	3

Term 9

Code	Title	CUs
D759	Elementary Literacy and Mathematics Strategies and Assistive Technologies	3
D760	Secondary Literacy and Mathematics Strategies and Assistive Technologies	3
D671	Elementary Science Curriculum	3
D672	Elementary Science and Engineering Methods	3

Term 10

Code	Title	CUs
D673	Elementary Social Studies Curriculum	3
D674	Elementary Social Studies Methods	3
D694	Elementary Health and Physical Education Methods	3
D695	Elementary Fine Arts Methods	3

Term 11

Code	Title	CUs
D690	Elementary Disciplinary Literacy	3

Total: 124 CUs across 41 courses. Degree total per catalog: 124 CUs.

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