BS Special Education at Vanderbilt University

Programme overview

Special Education (B.S.) Ranked as one of the top training programs in the country, SPED is structured to endow you with the necessary skills to assess, plan, and monitor the progress of persons with disabilities. The undergraduate program prepares you to work with persons with disabilities and leads to teacher licensure. Students pursue an interdisciplinary major in exceptional learning with emphasis in one of three specialty areas: High Incidence Disabilities (K-8 or 6-12) or Multiple and Severe Disabilities.

Faculty: Peabody College of Education and Human Development | Department: Special Education | Study mode: full-time | Location: Nashville, TN, United States

Career pathways

We are proud that our graduates find excellent job and academic placement after graduation.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Admission is to Vanderbilt University through the Peabody College of Education and Human Development; no separate programme-level admission requirements are listed for the major (the major is declared after enrolment).

USD 69,822 a year (2026-27). Undergraduate full-year tuition 2026-27 ($34,911 per semester for 12-18 hours); one undergraduate rate is published for all students, with no separate in-state or international rate. Excludes student support fee, housing, meals and health insurance. Source

First-year applicants apply for fall 2027 entry under Early Decision I, Early Decision II or Regular Decision; transfer applicants apply on a rolling basis through the spring.

Early Decision I (binding): completed application due 1 November 2026, decisions in mid-December, matriculation deposit due 31 December 2026. Early Decision II (binding): completed application due 1 January 2027, decisions in mid-February, deposit due 1 March 2027. Regular Decision (non-binding): completed application due 1 January 2027, decisions in late March, deposit due 1 May 2027.

Blair School of Music applicants also submit the Blair School of Music Application with a pre-screening video, due 1 November 2026 for Early Decision I and 1 December 2026 (priority) for Early Decision II and Regular Decision.

Transfer: priority deadline 15 February 2027 for a completed application; decisions on a rolling basis from late April 2027.

Applications are accepted through the Coalition Application (powered by Scoir), the Common Application or QuestBridge. SAT or ACT scores are optional for fall 2027 and fall 2028 entry and required for fall 2029 entry; international applicants must show English proficiency (waived above 26 ACT English or 630 SAT EBRW).

Merit scholarship applications are due 1 December 2026. CSS Profile and FAFSA priority deadlines are 1 November 2026 (Early Decision I), 1 January 2027 (Early Decision II) and 1 February 2027 (Regular Decision).

Apply through the official page: https://admissions.vanderbilt.edu/apply/

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