This professional educator preparation program will provide you with an in-depth look at children with disabilities and how those disabilities affect all areas of life.
The Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Special Education K–12 licensure program at New England College helps students learn a wide range of teaching styles and techniques. This holistic education can lead to success in many situations and support students with diverse needs.
| Well-Rounded | Experienced | Hands-On |
| Obtain a liberal arts education that can cultivate a holistic perspective. | Study under award-winning industry experts. | Gain real-world experience in an active classroom setting. |
A BA in Special Education degree can enable students to instruct neurodivergent students or students with unique needs; this can improve educational outcomes and yield professional satisfaction. The degree can also help students develop crucial personal and professional competencies, such as communication skills, empathy, patience, and a positive outlook.
In NEC’s BA in Special Education K–12 program, students learn to:
A BA in Special Education degree can prepare students for many different career paths. These include careers and salaries for special education elementary teachers, and others outside traditional teaching positions. Each position can help graduates support students from kindergarten to high school.
| Special Education Teacher
$65,910* |
Instructional Coordinator
$74,620* |
School Counselor
$61,710* |
| *Salary data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics as of May 2023 | ||
New England College (NEC) is a private, nonprofit college founded in 1946 to serve the needs of servicepeople attending college on the GI Bill after World War II and is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education. Today, NEC is an innovative, military-friendly institution and one of the top five liberal arts colleges in New Hampshire.
NEC offers 60 associate and bachelor’s degrees, as well as more than 20 master’s degrees and one doctoral degree program, all delivered by dedicated faculty focused on giving students opportunities to live what they learn. With access to many clubs, outdoor activities, natural areas, internships, and professor-led trips, NEC students have many ways to meet new people and try new things.
At NEC, the world is your classroom.
New England College in New Hampshire has earned recognition as a leading college in the state, as acknowledged by Intelligent.com, a credible source for evaluating higher education programs.
New England College in New Hampshire has earned recognition as a leading college in NH, as acknowledged by EduRank, a credible source for evaluating higher education programs.
New England College in New Hampshire has earned recognition as one of the best colleges in New Hampshire, as acknowledged by Academic Influence, a credible source for evaluating higher education programs.
Associate Professor, Education
Office: CEI 207, Henniker Campus
Phone: 603.428.2937
Email: jmorris@nec.edu
Expertise, Awards, and Achievements
Expertise:
Certifications:
Awards and Grants:
Educational Background
EdD in Curriculum, Teaching, Learning, and Leadership; Northeastern University
MEd in Secondary English Education and Special Education, New England College
BA in English, New England College
AS in General Studies, New Hampshire Technology Institute
Research Interests
Bio
Dr. Jessica Morris initially came to NEC as an undergraduate student nearly 20 years ago. After many years teaching in the public school system, including an alternative education program, as a special education case-manager and spending most of her career as a middle school English teacher, she rejoined the NEC family as an adjunct professor in 2012 and as full-time faculty in 2018 upon the completion of her doctoral work at Northeastern University.
Dr. Morris has been an active member on the teacher certification team over the past two years, working on the reaccreditation process in all State of New Hampshire teacher licensure areas. Dr. Morris is also the current advisor for NEC’s chapter, Alpha Kappa Epsilon, under Kappa Delta Pi, International Honor Society in Education.
During her time as a public-school teacher, Dr. Morris developed several experiential and integrated learning curriculums. Much of the research for this work came from her time spent working in conjunction with many of America’s historic national parks. Some of these units included community-based service-learning through forestry and sustainability, geomythology, and combating nature deficit disorder through the study of transcendental literature.
She is active in her community, participating in many volunteer activities including The Daughters of the American Revolution, The Living History Event, and is currently serving on the School Administrative Unit #34 school board as well as three committees. She has also coached many youth athletic teams. Outside of professional interests, she enjoys traveling with her family, is an avid watersport enthusiast, and can be found fishing—no matter the season.
NEC’s BA in Special Education K–12 program typically takes four years to complete.
NEC’s BA in K–12 Special Education licensure program consists of 120 credits. These credits are broken down as follows:
Education Core (40 credits)
Special Education Content (38 credits)
Liberal Arts & Sciences Core (38 credits)
Electives (4 credits)
Earning a BA in Special Education degree can build knowledgeable professionals who facilitate inclusive and accessible education. The program’s holistic approach to education cultivated through the program can also prepare individuals for a wide range of careers.
You can enroll in NEC’s BA in K–12 Special Education licensure program by applying on the NEC website. NEC doesn’t charge an application fee or require standardized test scores.
Earning a K1–2 Special Education degree can place you in the position to be a difference maker in a critical field of education. Learn how NEC can help you forge your own unique professional path.