A. University Studies Requirements

Competency Requirements (9-13 credits), Breadth Requirements (21 credits), and Depth Education Requirements (5 courses). For more information, see General Education Requirements   and University Studies Depth Requirements .

• FCHD 1500
    fulfills the Social Sciences (BSS) requirement for students in the Special Education major
• SPED 5200
    or SPED 5210  will fulfill the Communications Intensive (CI) requirement
• SPED 5010
    fulfills the Quantitative Intensive (QI) requirement
• Complete at least 2 credits in approved 3000-level or above courses from two of the following three categories: Humanities Creative Arts (DHA), Life and Physical Sciences (DSC) and Social Sciences (DSS)

B. Special Education Admission to Major Requirements

(admission is competitive and requires a separate application. Students are highly advised to contact a SPED advisor at least a year before applying to the SPED major)

• ENGL 1010 - Introduction to Writing: Academic Prose (CL1) 3 (grade of C+ or higher) or ENGL ACT of 29 or higher or AP English

•  

• FCHD 1500 - Human Development Across the Lifespan (BSS) 3 (grade of C or higher) or PSY 1100 - Lifespan Development  3 (grade of C or higher)

•  

• MATH 1050 - College Algebra (QL) 4 (grade of C or higher)  
• MATH 2020 - Mathematics for Elementary School Teachers (QI) 3 (grade of C or higher). Note: Mild/Moderate emphasis requires the Middle School Math Praxis Exam (5169) and the Severe emphasis requires the Elementary Education Multiple Subjects Praxis Exam (5031) to apply to the major.
• PHYS 1200 - Introduction to Physics by Hands-on Exploration (BPS) 4 (grade of C or higher)
• Breadth American Institutions class with a grade of C or higher
• Breadth Life Science class with a grade of C or higher
• 40 attempted (includes fall classes) credit hours with a 3.00 GPA or higher. The application process is competitive. GPA of accepted students averages 3.50
• Passing score on the Emma Eccles College of Education and Human Services Writing Exam
• Passing score on the Special Education Math test
• Take a speech and hearing exam
• Successful completion of the BCI and FBA background check required by the Utah State Office of Education
• Minimum ACT Scores within the past five years of 21 for Composite, 20 for English, 19 for Math, 18 for Reading and 18 for Science
• Take the Middle School Math Praxis Exam (5169) for mild/moderate emphasis
• Take the Elementary Education Multiple Subjects Praxis Exam (5031) for the severe emphasis

C. Professional Education Requirements (13-15 credits)

• SPED 4000 - Education of Exceptional Individuals 2
• SPED 5530 - Technology for Teaching Exceptional Learners 3
• PSY 3660 - Educational Psychology for Teachers 2
• ELED 3000 - Historical, Social, and Cultural Foundations of Education and School Practicum (CI) 4-6
• FCHD 2600 - Seminar in Early Childhood Education 2
• FCHD 2630 - Practicum in Early Childhood Education 2-5
• (ELED 3000 , FCHD 2600  and FCHD 2630  are required only for students completing the Birth to Age 5 Certificate)

D. Special Education Major (42-60 credits)

Coursework includes: applied behavior analysis; introduction to systematic instruction (task analysis, curriculum-based measurement, behavioral objectives, contingent reinforcement); designing curriculum; Individualized Educational Programs (IEP); educational assessment, analysis, and adaptation of instructional materials; intervention strategies for academic and social behaviors; and parent involvement. Additionally, each  endorsement area includes practicum work with exceptional children or youth. Finally, all students must complete student teaching with students with disabilities. Most of the Special Education courses are presented in a hybrid format. Hybrid is a combination of live (face-to-face) classes and online classes. Courses vary in  terms of how much content is online. For example, students may attend class every other week, and during the in between weeks complete work using an online  tool (e.g., Canvas).

E. Teaching Support (15 credits)

The support area is designed to enhance the Special Education major’s background. Areas recommended include communicative disorders, psychology, sociology, family and human development. Students are encouraged to take courses which will prepare them for the appropriate PRAXIS exam.

F. Electives (7-20 credits)

Endorsement Areas

Students are required to complete the Mild/Moderate Disabilities Endorsement, the Severe Disabilities Endorsement, or the Birth to Age 5 Certificate.

The following courses are required for the special education training programs. A minimum grade point average of 3.00 is required for admission to the endorsement courses. Most of the courses should be taken during the junior year. Students enrolled in the endorsement programs are required to maintain a GPA  of at least 2.75. Students are required to earn a grade of B- or better in all teacher licensure courses. Students must retake any licensure course for which a grade of less than a B- was received. Each student will be allowed to repeat a maximum of only one didactic, practica, or student teaching course.

Birth to Age 5 Certificate (46 credits)

Students who are completing this certificate in addition to the Mild/Moderate Disabilities Endorsement or the Severe Disabilities Endorsement will need to complete only those courses which they have not already taken under their endorsement.

• SPED 5010 - Applied Behavioral Analysis 1: Principles, Assessment, and Analysis (QI) 3
• SPED 5040 - Foundations of Effective Assessment and Instructional Practices 3
• SPED 5050 - Applied Behavioral Analysis 2: Applications 3
• SPED 5060 - Consulting with Parents and Teachers 3
• SPED 5070 - Policies and Procedures in Special Education 1-3 (3 credits required)
• SPED 5200 - Student Teaching in Special Education (CI) 3-15 (15 credits required)(SPED 5200 should be taken during the senior year)
• SPED 5710 - Young Children with Disabilities: Characteristics and Services 3
• SPED 5730 - Intervention Strategies for Young Children with Disabilities 3
• SPED 5810 - Seminar and Field Experiences with Infants and Families 3-4 (4 credits required)
• SPED 5820 - Preschool Practicum with Young Children with Disabilities in Community Environments 5
• SPED 5840 - Practicum: Working with Young Children with Autism 1

Note:

Students working toward the Birth to Age 5 Certificate are encouraged to complete either the mild/moderate disabilities endorsement or the severe disabilities endorsement, as well as courses included in the Birth to Age 5 Certificate. For additional information, see the special education advisor.