Start your journey
Earn your bachelor’s degree and a teaching license for special education academic behavior strategist (ABS) through flexible in-person and online course options
This program leads to an academic and behavioral strategist (ABS) teaching license, which qualifies you to teach students with mild-moderate disabilities in the following areas:
- Autism spectrum disorders
- Developmental and cognitive disabilities
- Emotional or behavioral disabilities
- Specific learning disabilities
- Other health disabilities
In order to be recommended for your Minnesota K-12 Academic and Behavioral Strategist License, you must successfully complete the licensure requirements mandated by the state of Minnesota.
If you are a current UMN undergraduate or an incoming first year student and want to declare a major in special education for academic behavioral strategist license, visit the Office of Admissions for complete directions.
- You are a transfer applicant if you graduated from high school and already took classes at another college, university, or trade school that might transfer to the UMN for your bachelor’s degree.
- This includes individuals with an associate’s degree.
- The program will take closer to two or three years to complete and includes online course options for working professionals.
Get started at the College of Education and Human Development’s (CEHD) Transfer Admissions site. - In addition, if you need to know how your credits will transfer, the UMN Office of Admissions has resources for all transfer students.
- Learn more about the NXT GEN Teach Apprenticeship and Residency which offers a paid pathway for paraprofessionals with an associate of arts (AA) degree to get their bachelor's degree and a Tier 3 Teaching License. You can earn either an academic and behavioral strategist (ABS) or an early childhood special education (ECSE) license, while receiving hands-on, job-embedded training with a partner school district.
Are you a current CEHD student who is ready to declare your major? Follow these steps.
Careers
- Elementary, middle, and high schools
- 18-21 transition programs
- Social service agencies
Coursework
Coursework includes educational and child psychology and academic and behavior interventions using research-based practices. Gain experience working with students with a variety of disabilities through elementary and secondary field experiences in your community each semester.
Program plans will likely vary for transfer students (i.e, those who have already completed some college credits, including those with a two-year degree). We are happy to provide you with an individualized program plan based on your transcripts.
Tuition and funding
Tuition
Visit the College of Education and Human Development's Tuition and Financial Aid page for information on tuition..
Financial aid
North Star Promise (NSP) Scholarship Program
The NSP Scholarship program is a tuition and fee-free pathway to higher education for Minnesota residents with a family income under $80,000. Eligible undergraduates at the University of Minnesota will receive full coverage for the balance of tuition and fees remaining after other scholarships, grants, stipends and tuition waivers have been applied.
Aspiring Teachers of Color Scholarship Pilot Program
Aspiring Teachers of Color Scholarship Pilot Program provides post-secondary financial assistance to eligible undergraduate and graduate students who are preparing to become teachers, have demonstrated financial need, and belong to racial or ethnic groups underrepresented in the state’s teacher workforce.
Scholarships and awards through school districts for their employees
Ask your employer if they have funding to support your education.
Special Education Teacher Pathway Program. If you are working as an educational assistant or paraprofessional in the state of Minnesota, you may be eligible to receive funding from your school district to cover some or all of the cost of your licensure program. Please check with your employer to see if you can access their Special Education Teacher Pipeline Funding.
Grow Your Own Program is similar to the Pathway program, but is not limited to special education and often includes a focus on diversifying the teacher workforce.
Come Teach in Minnesota allows school districts to offer hiring and retention bonuses to eligible individuals when they move to Minnesota and enroll in a teacher preparation program
TEACH Grants
TEACH Grants are part of a federal program to provide financial support to students who will teach in a high need area at a low-income school for at least four years. Application information is available from Onestop on their grants and waivers page.
Scholarships and awards through the University
Special education scholarships, fellowships, and awards
Incoming first-year students who are interested in special education are automatically considered for the Campbell Scholarship for Education. Visit the Office of Admissions scholarships page for more information on this and additional CEHD scholarships available to incoming first-year students.
Learn more about teaching scholarships available to undergraduates in the College of Education and Human Development.
Request information
Faculty
Get to know our award-winning faculty with practical and research experience in this area.
Contact us
We’re here to help. Contact us, and a member of our department will be in touch.