BS Special Education at University of Kentucky

Programme overview

The Special Education program prepares you to teach K–12 (ages 5–21) with a wide range of disabilities. This includes students with specific learning disabilities, other health impairments, emotional and behavioral disorders, intellectual disabilities, autism, and multiple disabilities. You'll gain hands-on experience in various elementary, middle, and high school settings, both urban and rural.

Faculty: College of Education | Duration: 120 credit hours | Study mode: full-time | Intake: Fall, Spring, Summer | Location: Lexington, KY, United States

What you will study

The Special Education program prepares students to support and advocate for learners with diverse abilities in inclusive and specialized educational settings. Through coursework in assessment, instructional strategies, behavior management, and individualized education planning, students gain the skills needed to create supportive learning environments for students with disabilities. The curriculum emphasizes evidence-based practices, collaboration, and a strong foundation in educational theory and application.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

University/college-level requirements (not programme-specific): official high school transcript with pre-college curriculum; ACT or SAT optional (test-optional admission). Applies to admission to College of Education.

Tuition is charged per credit, so the total depends on the modules you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

First-year entry term: Fall 2027 (applications open August 1). Transfer entry terms: Fall, Spring and Summer.

UK is test-optional for admission and scholarships through the 2028-29 academic year; most freshman applicants may apply without an ACT or SAT score.

First-year applicants for Fall 2027: Early Action deadline December 1 (recommended for Lewis Honors College and competitive and academic scholarships); Regular Decision deadline February 15. Application fee is $50 for domestic and $60 for international applicants. Apply with the UK application or the Common App.

Transfer applicants: application deadlines are August 1 for Fall (scholarship deadline June 15), November 15 for Spring and April 15 for Summer. The application fee is $50, waived for applications fully submitted on listed Transfer Tuesday dates.

Graduate applicants apply online through The Graduate School application system; deadlines and supplemental materials are set by each programme page. Minimum undergraduate GPA 2.75, minimum graduate GPA 3.0, and 2.5 for graduate certificate applicants (programmes may require more).

Apply through the official page: https://academics.uky.edu/apply

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