Begin your journey to the classroom
Teach students the lessons they will carry with them for the rest of their lives and positively influence young learners and families through elementary and special education. Earning a Bachelor of Science in Education (B.S.Ed.) in Elementary/Special Education from Mercer University will prepare you for initial teacher certification in grades P–5. Aspiring teachers who currently hold a bachelor’s degree in a field other than education can explore Mercer’s Master of Arts in Teaching in Elementary Education.
Earning a B.S.Ed. in Elementary/Special Education will also provide you with fundamental skills like designing and implementing classroom curriculum, as well as how to understand young children from a holistic perspective. Through interactive field experiences, elementary/special education majors immerse themselves in diverse classroom settings and build the confidence needed to step into their own classroom and start teaching.
Successful completion of the program and passing scores on the appropriate GACE Content assessments lead to eligibility for Level 4 induction certification.
Grade Levels: P–5 • Format: Blended (combination of online and on-campus instruction) • Start Terms: January, March, May, August, October • Course Length: 8 weeks • Completion Time: 18-24 months • Minimum Entry GPA: 2.5 |
Your Mercer B.S.Ed. Elementary/Special Education program experience
Our program is designed with your schedule in mind. Through a combination of online and in-person classes at Mercer’s Atlanta, Douglas County, Henry County, or Macon locations, you can balance other priorities while earning your degree. Most of each B.S.Ed. in Elementary/Special Education course is completed through both synchronous and asynchronous online instruction, and students only attend class in person twice per course.
Gain day field experience with a bachelor’s degree in elementary/special education
As an elementary and special education major at Mercer, you will step outside the university classroom to experience firsthand teaching in Georgia. Each student in the program completes three to four field experiences in local schools. Elementary and special education majors observe current teachers, participate in classroom activities, and gain valuable experience teaching elementary-aged children. View program requirements to learn more about field placement for elementary and special education majors. Field experiences are coordinated through the Office of Field Placement.
To help you stand out from other job and graduate program candidates, Mercer offers an embedded reading endorsement. Work with children to increase literacy rates and inspire a lifelong love of reading through clinical practice.
Explore B.S.Ed. in Elementary/Special Education courses
Each course in our Bachelor of Science in Education in Elementary/Special Education is designed to help you build a solid foundation in pedagogy, classroom management, effective teaching methods, and strategies for working with children with special needs. You will also develop a nuanced appreciation for the role of community in working with diverse populations of children.
Classes for elementary/special education majors include:
- Connecting to Home, School, and Community
- Foundations of Education
- Intervention Strategies for Learners with Special Needs
View course descriptions and program requirements for the Bachelor of Science in Education (B.S.Ed.) in Elementary/Special Education.
Transfer your credits
We want you to get the credit you deserve toward completion of your B.S.Ed. at Mercer. That’s why we’ve made the process of transferring credits as seamless as possible.
Explore teacher candidacy
During sophomore year, students apply for full admission to teacher candidacy to gain eligibility to enroll in junior year courses. Admission criteria include submitting the online application for teacher candidacy, passing the Georgia Educator Ethics assessment, maintaining a 2.5 GPA, and more. Effective July 1, 2022, students are no longer required to take the GACE Program Admission assessment. Learn more.
Careers and graduate study options with a Bachelor of Science in Education in Elementary/Special Education
At Mercer, your success is our success. When you graduate with your B.S.Ed. in Elementary/Special Education from Mercer, you won’t just benefit from the personal and professional satisfaction of studying what you love. You will also be prepared for one of the most important professions.
Jobs for elementary school teachers are expected to grow by 2031, adding about 120,000 new positions each year—according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. For elementary and special education majors who want to increase their impact, Mercer also offers graduate degrees to upgrade your Georgia educator certificate or pursue educational leadership or higher education. Learn more
Learn more about our Elementary/Special Education major
Ready to take the next step?
Schedule your personalized admissions counseling appointment or contact Todd Burke at 678.547.6454 or burke_tm@mercer.edu for more information.
Learn from experienced faculty
As an elementary and special education major at Mercer, you will have many opportunities to learn from and work closely with faculty mentors who have vast experience as educators in elementary, middle, and high schools throughout Georgia and the nation. They bring their experience and expertise into the classroom to prepare you for teaching in Georgia.
Find your purpose with Mercer
Get ready to make a positive difference in your community and earn your bachelor’s degree in elementary and special education. Schedule your personalized admissions counseling appointment, or contact Nynoka Grant at 678.547.6500 or enroll@mercer.edu for more information.
Professional licensure
All of Mercer’s programs that lead to licensure are designed to meet the educational requirements of regulatory authorities in the State of Georgia. If you intend to seek licensure or certification outside of Georgia, please review Mercer’s professional licensure disclosure for more information.