Are you interested in becoming a special education teacher? Start your Fifth Year track while you are an undergraduate student at Longwood! 

Enter as a freshman, and in five years, you will earn your liberal studies degree, teacher licensure, and a graduate degree in special education.

Fifth Year 

From day one, our unique program will have you teaching special education students with us virtually by your side. Videos of your teaching and student interactions are reviewed by professors who offer personalized feedback. This “microteaching” method offers intense support and individualized feedback like no other program. 

Non-License

You'll take additional coursework that includes specialized courses in a minor of your choice. 

Should you choose not to complete the fifth year of the program you will not be licensed to teach.

 

What You'll Study

Major

In addition to the multi-disciplinary Civitae Core requirements, Liberal Studies students take advanced courses in English, Mathematics, Natural Science, and Social Science.  Liberal Studies students choose one of two concentrations: Special Education PK-12 pre-licensure or Non-licensure. 

Students in the Non-licensure concentration take additional coursework that includes specialized courses in a minor of their choice. 

Special Education Licensure

Longwood's Special Education program is a five-year pathway to becoming a licensed special education teacher. You'll have all the tools, experience and knowledge to ensure your success teaching general curriculum to Kindergarten through twelfth grade.

Students completing this pathway would earn a Bachelor of Science in Liberal Studies though the Cook-Cole College of Arts and Sciences at the undergraduate level.

Sample 4-Year Plan

Special Education, Teacher Preparation Concentration (pdf)

Courses

Liberal Studies students take advanced courses in English, Mathematics, Natural Science, and Social Science and experience the professional component with

  • Methods classes
  • Practicum
  • Partnerships
  • Student Teaching

Sample 4-Year Plan

Liberal Studies SPED Licensure, Teacher Preparation Concentration (pdf)