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Special Education and ESL

Trevecca’s Bachelor of Science in special education interventionist K-8 & ESL offers a dual endorsement in K-8 special education intervention and in English as a second language (ESL). The degree prepares you to become a teacher who assists students who have learning exceptionalities and/or language needs, and it culminates with observation and teaching experiences in the field.




Program Benefits

  • Learn from faculty who possess high degrees in their fields, who make an effort to know you personally and who have relevant and valuable real-world experience in both public and private school settings.
  • Enjoy our small class sizes and supportive campus community.
  • Gain hands-on student teaching experience in both public and private school settings.

What to Expect

Trevecca’s special education interventionist K-8 & ESL program prepares you to assist students who have learning exceptionalities and/or language needs. Schools across the country face the growing need to assist students who have physical, cognitive or language delays as well as behavioral and social conditions that may impact their ability to learn and be successful in today's classroom. Additionally, the number of English language learners across the United States continues to climb. This program equips you to help meet those growing needs.

This degree offers you a solid foundation in special education combined with 12 hours of ESL instruction, giving you a dual endorsement. We are constantly reviewing our education programs to make sure they equip you to meet the current needs of the modern education system in innovative ways. Courses include English Acquisition; Methods and Resources of Intervention for Students with Disabilities; Math Teaching Strategies for Students with Special Needs; Trends, Models and Methods in ESL Instruction; and Linguistics for Teachers of ESL. You’ll learn how to integrate technology into intervention, how to diagnose and remediate reading disabilities, and how to apply effective behavioral management strategies in the classroom. Our technology course prepares you to confidently use technology to supplement traditional teaching methods and to present engaging virtual instruction.

This program also offers incredible field experience in a diverse range of learning environments. You’ll gain 120-140 hours of hands-on experience with student teaching opportunities in both public and private schools. Trevecca has partnerships with both Wilson County Schools and Metro Nashville Public Schools. As part of your field experience, you’ll get valuable feedback from faculty and experienced teachers aimed at helping you improve your teaching craft.

Why Choose Trevecca?

Founded in 1901 and a leader in online education for more than two decades, Trevecca has been recognized nationally and locally for providing our students with the highest level of academic quality and rigor. We offer a holistic education focused on the intellectual, social, emotional, physical and spiritual health of all the students in our diverse student body. We are committed to educating the next generation to be servant leaders.

As a Christian university, we offer programs that explore the ways faith intersects with your field of study. This means you can gain your education degree in a supportive, Christian community with small classroom sizes and engaged faculty members who care about you, your faith and your goals.

Course Descriptions

Course Descriptions

Get details on all the courses you’ll complete as you work toward this degree at Trevecca.

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Financial Aid & Costs

Financial Aid & Costs

Nearly every student at Trevecca receives some form of assistance in paying for college. Learn all about the affordability of a TNU education and options for receiving aid.

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As part of earning a dual endorsement in K-8 intervention and English as a second language (ESL), students will receive training in both subject areas to prepare them for classroom environments where students have learning exceptionalities and language needs. Coursework covers topics such as concepts of assessment; methods and resources of intervention for students with disabilities; methods of assessment and evaluation for ESL; trends, models and methods in ESL instruction; and linguistics for teachers of ESL. Students will be given a strong foundation in special education intervention that includes learning to integrate technology into intervention, discovering how to diagnose and remediate reading disabilities, and becoming trained in behavioral management strategies.

Career Opportunities

With your special education degree with a dual endorsement in K-8 intervention and ESL from Trevecca, you’ll be well-prepared to succeed in a variety of roles. Some of our graduates teach students in specialized classroom settings, some to assist students within general education classrooms, some aspire to teach and then move on to pursue leadership roles as instructional coaches or administrators, some teach abroad and some work in the private sector for agencies that provide services for students with learning exceptionalities. Some of the more specific roles your degree prepares you for include, but are not limited to:

  • Special education interventionist K-8 classroom teacher in both public or private school settings
  • Instructional coach focusing on the exceptional learning needs of students
  • Special education leadership teaching roles in both public and private school settings (team leads)
  • Behavior modification instructors
  • Collaboration specialists to bridge communication between the general education and SPED instructors

Your degree also prepares you to continue your studies. Trevecca offers highly respected advanced degree programs in educational leadership, ESL and accountability and instructional leadership that could open additional professional doors in the field of education.



“I finished feeling supported, encouraged and inspired by the professors. They genuinely wanted us to succeed. The small class sizes allowed professors and students to build strong mentor relationships. The faculty poured themselves into ensuring I received the best education possible.” 

Michaela Adcock Trevecca graduate

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the teacher education admission requirements?

Prospective students are required to have at least a 3.0 GPA and should have earned no lower than a B- in the following courses: COM 1010; EDU 1020 and 1500; and ENG 1020 and 1080. Standardized test score requirements include an ACT composite of 22 or higher; an SAT composite of 1120 or higher; or a passing score on the Praxis Core Academic Skills Exam for Educators (a minimum of a 150 in mathematics, 156 in reading and 162 in writing). Students should also successfully complete a Writing on Demand assessment and a teacher education interview. A TBI background check clearance is also required.

Are scholarship opportunities available through the School of Education?

The School of Education receives designated endowment allocations each year. Students are awarded individual scholarships based on meeting required criteria. Federal grant opportunities are also available for those who choose to teach in underserved school settings. You can find Information on these grants through contacting one of our financial aid officers.

Which schools are utilized for field experience placements?
Trevecca offers field experiences in a wide variety of settings in both public and private schools. We maintain a primary partnership with Wilson County Schools for field experience and student-teaching placements. We also have a secondary partnership with Metro Nashville Public Schools. The goal is for our students to encounter a diverse range of instructional environments in order to complete licensure requirements and embark on a successful career as an educator.

Related Programs

  • Early Childhood Education & ESL

    The Bachelor of Science in interdisciplinary studies offers an endorsement in early childhood education (PreK-3) and a secondary endorsement in English as a second language (ESL). The degree prepares students to be competent and compassionate teachers of young students and those with language barriers, providing them with the strong foundation and early intervention they need to excel in learning.

  • Elementary Education & ESL

    Trevecca’s Bachelor of Science in interdisciplinary studies offers an endorsement in elementary education and an endorsement in English as a second language (ESL), preparing students to be competent and compassionate teachers in grades K-5 and/or to offer ESL instruction in grades K-12.