Special Education - BA, BS

Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services

Department of Special Education and Rehabilitation Counseling

Special Education (Visual Impairment Licensure example) - BS

Navigation Help:

The blue highlighted text indicates additional details are available. Simply click on it to view details such as course name, description, prerequisites, or to be linked to another website with additional information. The back arrow button may be used to return to this page if you leave it through a link.

• For more information about Special Education and Rehabilitation Counseling , see the website.
• Following is a sample four-year plan. Please note that student-specific plans may differ.
• Admitted students must meet with an academic advisor. Current students should also meet with an academic advisor, and log on to Degree Works  to check student-specific program progress.
• Students following the recommended schedule listed below should be able to complete degree requirements in four years (eight semesters). 

Minimum University Requirements
Total Credits	120			Grade Point Average (most majors require higher GPA)	2.00 GPA
Credits of C- or better	100			Credits of upper-division courses (#3000 or above)	40
Total USU Credits	30			Upper-division USU Credits	20
USU Credits within the Major	10			Credits in Minor (if required)	12
Credits in Major	see below			Credits in American Institutions	3
General Education Requirements	see link			University Studies Depth Requirements	see link
NOTES: The highest math requirement for this degree is  MATH 2020 - Euclidean Geometry and Statistics for Elementary Education School Teachers (QI) .

 

Admissions Requirements for Pre-Special Education Program
New freshmen	Admitted to USU in Good Standing			Transfer students from other institutions or other programs at USU	3.0 GPA

Freshman Year
Fall Semester	Credits	General Education Info and Notes:		Spring Semester	Credits	General Education Info and Notes:
MATH 1051 - Classical Algebra for Teachers (QL)  or  MATH 1050 - College Algebra (QL)	4  or 4			HDFS 1500 - Human Development Across the Lifespan (BSS)	3
USU 1010 - University Connections	2	Enroll in 2 credits. Recommended Course.		MATH 2020 - Euclidean Geometry and Statistics for Elementary Education School Teachers (QI)	3
Breadth American Institutions (BAI)	3			Breadth Physical Science (BPS)	3
Breadth Life Sciences (BLS)	3			ENGL 1010 - Introduction to Writing: Academic Prose (CL1)	3
Comments				Comments Get ready to apply fall semester for Special Education major. Check with advisor regarding deadlines and requirements.

 

 

Sophomore Year
Fall Semester	Credits	General Education Info and Notes:		Spring Semester	Credits	General Education Info and Notes:
ENGL 2010 - Intermediate Writing: Research Writing in a Persuasive Mode (CL2)	3			Teaching Support	3
MATH 2010 - Algebraic Thinking & Number Sense for Elementary Education School Teachers (QI)	3			Communications Intensive (CI)	3
Teaching Support (suggested SPED 4910 - Undergraduate Research and Creative Opportunities )	3			Breadth Creative Arts (BCA)	3
Elective Teaching Support (suggested  REH 1010 - Disability and Society (BSS) )	3			Breadth Humanities (BHU)	3
				Teaching Support (suggested SPED 4910 - Undergraduate Research and Creative Opportunities )	3
Comments				Comments Apply to SPED major. Check with advisor for deadline and requirements.

 

 

Sophomore Summer
Summer Semester	Credits	General Education Info and Notes:
SPED 4000 - Education of Students with Disabilities	3
SPED 5105 - Introduction to Visual Impairments	1
Comments				Comments

 

 

Junior Year
Fall Semester	Credits	General Education Info and Notes:		Spring Semester	Credits	General Education Info and Notes:
ELED 3100 - Classroom Reading Instruction	3			SPED 5010 - Applied Behavioral Analysis 1: Principles, Assessment, and Analysis (QI)	3
SPED 5030 - Assessment in Special Education	2			SPED 5070 - Policies, Procedures, and Collaboration in Special Education	3
SPED 5040 - Foundations of Effective Instructional Practices	4			SPED 5310 - Teaching Reading and Language Arts to Students with Disabilities	1-4
SPED 5120 - Ocular Disorders and Examination Techniques	2			SPED 5140 - Advanced Braille Codes & Abacus Instruction	3
SPED 5122 - Educational Implications for Students with Low Vision	2			SPED 5170 - Instructional Management for Students with Visual Impairments (0-21)	3
SPED 5130 - Literary Braille Codes	3
TEAL 2660 - Educational Psychology for Teachers	2
Comments Must be enrolled in SPED major to take classes.				Comments Must be enrolled in SPED major to take classes. Apply for Graduation.

 

Junior Summer
Summer Semester	Credits	General Education Info and Notes:
SPED 5110 - Social and Psychological Implications of Visual Impairments	2	Take course on U of U campus
SPED 5135 - Assistive Technology for Students with Visual Impairments	3	Take course on U of U campus
SPED 5150 - Teaching Children with Dual Sensory Impairments (Deaf/Blind)	3	Take course on U of U campus
SPED 5160 - Introduction to Orientation and Mobility	2	Take course on U of U campus
Comments				Comments

 

 

Senior Year
Fall Semester	Credits	General Education Info and Notes:		Spring Semester	Credits	General Education Info and Notes:
SPED 5050 - Applied Behavioral Analysis 2: Applications	3			SPED 5200 - Student Teaching in Special Education (CI)	3-15
SPED 5080 - Transition-Focused Education and Collaboration	2
SPED 5530: Family/Professional Collaboration and Technology for Teaching Exceptional Learners	3
SPED 5190 - Understanding the Brain, Damage to the Brain and Cerebral/Cortical Visual Impairment	2
Depth Life and Physical Sciences (DSC) , Depth Social Sciences (DSS)  , or Depth Humanities and Creative Arts (DHA)	2-3
Depth Life and Physical Sciences (DSC) , Depth Social Sciences (DSS)  , or Depth Humanities and Creative Arts (DHA)  (different category)	2-3
Comments Apply for student teaching				Comments

 

---

Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education

Undergraduate study leads to the Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts degree in Special Education with licensure to teach students with mild/moderate disabilities, severe disabilities, early childhood (birth to age 5) or visual impairments. The degree requires a total of 120 credits. Students must choose an emphasis area. This is a sample plan for visual impairments. The requirements are as follows:

---

Major Course Requirement

Minimum Grade Requirements:

• Grade of B- or better: All SPED, TEAL, and ELED courses (except SPED 4910 , SPED 5200 , and SPED 5900 )
• Grade of C+ or better: ENGL 1010  (required for program admission; ENGL 1010  can also be met with AP ENGL or an ACT score of 30 or higher)
• Grade of C or better: BAI , BLS , BPS  (required for program admission); HDFS 1500  
• Grade of C or better in all MATH courses
• Grade of C- or better: All other courses required for the bachelor’s degree
• Courses used to fulfill major requirements may not be taken pass/fail, except those courses that are only taught on a pass/fail basis.
• 3.0 GPA required in major coursework
• Students are required to earn a grade of “B-” or better in all major courses (SPED, TEAL, ELED prefixes). Students who receive a grade below “B-” must retake the course. Each student will be allowed to repeat a maximum of one course (course is defined as didactic courses, practica and student teaching). Students who receive two grades below “B-” or withdraw from two practica (or one practica two times) will not be permitted to continue in special education. Student teaching may not be repeated without appeal and approval by the appropriate special education program committee.