Special Education: Severe Emphasis/Elementary Education Composite - BA, BS

This degree is a combination of courses required for the special education major with severe emphasis and the elementary education major.  Students who complete this composite degree are eligible for two licenses, one for special education (K-age 22) and one for elementary education, (K-8, though students are “highly qualified” to teach grades k-6 based on federal standards for “No Child Left Behind”).  Students gain content knowledge through the elementary education program and learn strategies for teaching diverse learners through the the special education program.

This degree allows students to have more flexibility in their careers.  Having both licenses allows teachers to move back and forth between special education and elementary education.  Most elementary teachers will have students with disabilities in their classrooms, and this composite degree makes them more qualified to meet the unique educational needs to these students.

• For more information about Elementary Education, see the website.

• For more information about Special Education, see the website.

• Admitted and current students must meet with an academic advisor.

• Log on to Degree Works to check student-specific program progress.

• Students following the recommended schedule should be able to complete degree requirements in four years (eight semesters).

• The highest math requirement for this degree is course.

• Some major coursework fulfills General Education Requirements or University Studies Requirements.

  • course - BSS

  • course, course, course - Quantitative Intensive (QI)

  • course, course, course - Communications Intensive (CI)

  • course - Depth Humanities and Creative Arts (DHA)

Admission Requirements For Pre-Education Majors

• New freshmen must be admitted to USU in Good Standing.

• Transfer students from other institutions or other programs at USU must have a 2.0 GPA.