Special Education, BS
This program leads to a degree in special education with licensure to teach students with mild/moderate disabilities in grades K-12. Courses are delivered via interactive broadcast, which allows students to interact in real time with their professors and fellow students, with extensive use of the Internet for delivering course materials, student feedback, and class projects. Students complete the program as members of a two-year cohort group beginning every odd-numbered year.
This undergraduate program is designed to provide students with firsthand experiences teaching pupils with disabilities. In each practicum, students learn new teaching techniques and have the opportunity to teach several subjects over a period of time. Students are required to teach in both secondary and elementary placements during their practicum and student teaching experiences.
Availability
This program is available at the Uintah Basin Campus via the following Instruction Type(s):
Courses are delivered via state of the art video conferencing technology. Students meet at a designated time and location.
Admissions
Students must be admitted to Utah State University. For admission requirements and information or to complete an online application, visit www.usu.edu/admissions/applyonline.
Application to the Special Education major is competitive. At a minimum, students must meet the following requirements:
- Completion of General Education University Studies requirements
- A 2.75 minimum cumulative GPA
- Speech and hearing exam
- Successful completion of the writing exam
- Successful completion of Computer Information & Literacy exam
- Successful completion of departmental math exam
- Application to the mild/moderate program
Other factors considered include overall GPA, experience working with students with disabilities, and number of credit hours completed.
Applications for the 2009 cohort are due before October 1, 2008. Go to sped.usu.edu/mild/admission.html for a detailed admission checklist. Professional education courses for this cohort will begin January 2009.
Requirements
All students who participate in a practicum experience must complete a background check. If students have previously completed background checks for other degrees or for employment, they must still complete a new background check. This must be done by April 15, prior to the beginning of the program. Applications may be obtained by contacting Teri Gass at (435) 797-1443. There is a fee for the background check. There are no exceptions to this policy.
Student teaching applications are due the semester prior to student teaching. The deadline for fall semester is February 1. The deadline for spring semester is October 1. Applications may be obtained by contacting Darcie Petersen, at (435) 797-3252 or darcie.peterson@usu.edu. The fee for student teaching will be included in your semester fees (paid with tuition) the semester you student teach. The current fee for student teaching is $300, but may change.
Contact Us
For specific questions regarding this program including admissions, courses, and requirements contact:
The Department of Special Education and Rehabilitation Distance Education Program offers student coursework leading to a BS in Special Education with licensure to teach students with mild/moderate disabilities in grades K-12. Students already holding degrees can complete the program to receive a second Bachelor’s degree and/or a special education mild/moderate license. Courses are delivered via Interactive Video Conferencing system with extensive use of the Internet for delivering course materials, readings, assignments, student feedback, and class projects. Students complete the program as members of a two-year cohort group beginning every odd-numbered year. Students can obtain dual major degrees and licenses with the Department of Elementary Education. Students can also complete a Master’s degree in Special Education.
Courses are taught one evening a week during fall and spring semesters and multiple evenings during the summer semester. Practicum courses are scheduled for two semesters. Students are required to teach for one hour each day in a local school during these semesters. Student teaching is a fullday experience for an entire semester.
Students who complete the program will be eligible to receive a Utah teaching license issued by the Utah State Office of Education allowing them to teach in public school special education programs for students with disabilities grades K-12.
Courses:
FCHD 1500: Human Development
ELED 3000: Foundation Studies
SPED 4000: Education of Exceptional Individuals
PSY 3660: Education Psychology
SPED 5010: Applied Behavior Analysis I
SPED 5040: Foundations of Effective Assessment & Instructional Practices
SPED 5050: Applied Behavior Analysis II
SPED 5060: Consulting with Parents & Teachers
SPED 5070: Policies and Procedures
SPED 5310: Teaching Reading & Language Arts
SPED 5320: Teaching Content Area & Transition
SPED 5330: Eligibility Assessment
SPED 5340: Teaching Math
SPED 5410: Practicum: Direct Instruction Reading & Language Arts
SPED 5420: Practicum: Teaching Math
SPED 5530: Assistive and Adaptive Technology
SPED 5200: Student Teaching
Note: These courses are only available to students accepted into the program.
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