Program Description
Bachelor of Science in Special Education

SPECIAL EDUCATION
The undergraduate Special Education teacher education program provides professional training for educating young children and students with disabilities.

Program:    Special Education
Degree:      Bachelor of Science in Special Education
Goal:  Recommendation for Utah Basic Teaching License in Special Education in any of the following areas:

Degree Requirements  Students complete approximately 122 semester hours of credit in order to graduate with a B.S. in Special Education through the Department of Special Education.

Licensure   The Utah State Office of Education grants teaching licenses.  Upon successful completion of the program, graduates are recommended for licensure.

Advising Students interested in special education teaching as a career should contact the Student Advisor in the Special Education Department. 

Applications   Applications for admission to the major can be obtained from the Department of Special Education (Milton Bennion Hall 221, 581-8121) or by mail at the University of Utah, Department of Special Education 1705 E. Campus Center Drive, Room 221, Salt Lake City, UT 84112. 

APPLICATION AND ADMISSION TO SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER EDUCATION PROGRAM

The Special Education major is a sequenced program that includes a professional CORE of courses to introduce important principles followed by SPECIALIZATION courses in a specific area of disability. The specialization sequence of the program includes extensive pre-student-teaching field experiences followed by a full semester of student teaching. Students must apply for admission to the program. Enrollment is limited and admission is competitive. The Department admits students twice a year. The Admissions Committee, composed of faculty from the Department of Special Education, meets during the Fall and Spring Semesters. (See Admission Application Deadlines for Undergraduate Students.)

Admission requires completion of 40 semester credit hours of university course work (including SpEd 3010, Human Exceptionality, or its equivalent); three letters of recommendation; a written (two-page) professional statement; official college and university transcripts, and current PRAXIS_PPST scores. A minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 (from all colleges and university attended) is highly recommended.

Admission to the program is based on a holistic rating system that takes each application component into consideration. The Committee also considers the difficulty of prior course work, trends in performance, workplace and interpersonal skills, and the ability to work with children, families, and professionals in various settings. Additional factors to be considered may be gender and/or minority status, to the extent consistent with applicable law, and any violation of the University and College of Education student codes. Committee members use their professional judgment to assess a candidate's potential to succeed in the program as well as in the classroom.

Complete files submitted by the deadline will be forwarded to the Admissions Committee. The Admissions Committee will not review incomplete files. Approximately two to three weeks after the application deadline, applicants will be notified by mail of acceptance or denial. Admissions files become the property of the Department of Special Education and will not be returned to the applicant. An incomplete file will be kept for one (1) year from the date of application, after which it will be destroyed.

Supplementary information may be requested from the applicant, such as additional written material and/or an interview with one or more Committee members. Department faculty will receive a list of applicants prior to each Admissions meeting and will have an opportunity to provide written information to the Committee, such as information on performance in Special Education classes taken prior to admission. Such information will be considered by the Committee.

WHEN THE NUMBER OF APPLICANTS EXCEEDS THE NUMBER OF AVAILABLE PLACES IN A SPECIALTY AREA, AS DETERMINED BY THE DEPARTMENT, THE COMMITTEE WILL USE A RANKING SYSTEM BASED ON THE MULTI-FACTORED CRITERIA.  EACH COMMITTEE MEMBER WILL DO AN INDEPENDENT RANKING OF THE APPLICANTS IN THE SPECIALTY AREA PRIOR TO COMMITTEE DISCUSSION.

DENIALS

Questions or concerns about the basis for denial should be directed to the Chair of the Admissions Committee. Students who are denied admission may reapply to the Department during a subsequent admissions period if they believe that new or updated materials will form the basis for admission to the Department. They are encouraged to work with the Department Academic Advisor as they prepare their materials to make sure their file is both complete and current.

 APPEALS

If a student wishes to appeal a decision denying admission to the Department, the student should write a letter to the Department Chair describing the basis for believing that the decision violated the Admissions Committee's written standards and procedures. The Department Chair will review the decision for compliance with Committee standards and procedures. Based on the findings, the Chair will make a determination to uphold or reverse the decision.

NONDISCRIMINATION POLICY

The University of Utah is fully committed to policies of nondiscrimination and equal opportunity, and vigorously pursues affirmative action in all programs, activities, and employment with regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age, and status as a person with a disability. Religion, sexual orientation, and status as a disabled veteran or veteran of the Vietnam era also are protected under nondiscrimination and equal opportunity employment policies. The University seeks to provide equal access to its programs, services, and activities for people with disabilities. Reasonable prior notice is needed to arrange accommodations. Evidence of practices not consistent with these policies should be needed to arrange accommodations. Evidence of practices not consistent with these policies should be needed to arrange accommodations. Evidence of practices not consistent with these policies should be reported to the Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action, (801) 581-8365 (voice or TDD). Upon request, this information is available in alternative formats, such as cassette, Braille, or large print.

CONFIDENTIALITY

Admissions files are handled confidentially in accordance with University Regulations and applicable law.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES CHECKLIST

Application Timelines.  See Admission Application Deadlines for Undergraduate Students. Students should plan to apply for admission to the program during or after the semester in which they will complete 40 hours of university course work, including SpEd 3010. For most students, this occurs during the spring semester of their sophomore year.

Requirements for application for admission:

___          Be a matriculated student at University of Utah.

___          Complete 40 semester credit hours of university course work including SPED 3010, Human Exceptionality , before the beginning of the semester for which you are admitted. For example, if you haven't already taken SPED 3010 by the time you submit your application, then you must be enrolled in the course when you apply. If you have taken coursework at another university that you believe is equivalent to SPED 3010, you must either (1) receive permission in writing to substitute your previous coursework or (2) the course must have been designated by both Universities as equivalent (“articulated”) courses. See Academic Advisor for more information.

 ___    GPA is considered competitively, although the Admissions Committee takes all supporting evidence into consideration. A cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above is highly recommended. Consult with the Registrar's Office, 250 Student Services Building, 581-8969, for information on your current cumulative GPA.   

___  Take the PRAXIS-PPST.* You may take either the paper-based or computer based version. For more information see the attached sheet.

*International undergraduate applicants must take the TOEFL online (TOEFL iBT), with a minimum score of 90, but a preferred score of 100.

The following application materials are to be turned in by the admissions deadline.

___          Submit a completed Application for Admission to the Department of Special Education Undergraduate Teacher Education Program, obtained from the Department of Special Education, 1705 East Campus Center Drive, Room 221 (Milton Bennion Hall), Salt Lake City, UT 84112-9253.

___          Submit a written two-page statement informing the Admissions Committee of the reasons you are interested in a career of working with children and youth with disabilities as well as strengths you bring to the teaching profession. The purpose of this statement is to give candidates an opportunity: (a) to demonstrate their ability to organize and express their ideas, (b) to think carefully about educational issues, (c) to show their commitment to the teaching profession, and/or (d) to share what they can contribute to serving children and youth with disabilities, and their families. Include experiences and events that have influenced your decision. Your statement must be typewritten (word processed), double-spaced, and is limited to a maximum of 750 words. Be sure to sign and date your statement .

___        Submit three letters of recommendation using the forms provided with the Application for Admission . Recommendations should provide information in the following three categories: Experience with Children (e.g., submitted by one of the applicant's course instructors); Academic Ability (e.g, submitted by one of the applicant's course instructors); and Professional Competencies (e.g., submitted by an additional course instructor, or a previous employer or work supervisor). Family and friends are not considered appropriate references because they cannot attest to the applicant's professional and academic qualifications. References from coordinators or directors of church-related programs serving children are acceptable if they attest to the candidate's professional competencies and skills in working with children. Letters of recommendation must be sealed in an envelope by the author with his/her signature over the seal and must be included in the application packet. References must be Current (dated within one year of Committee review), including one from applicant's most recent supervisor (if applicable). The Committee weights the professional relationship of respondent to applicant and the strength of endorsement of academic and professional performance. The Committee may exercise its prerogative to follow up on letters of recommendation by contacting the respondent for additional information.

___         Submit a current, official transcript from the University of Utah . The transcript must be included in the application packet and must be in a sealed envelope from the Registrar's Office with a stamp over the seal. For more information, call the University Transcript Office, 581-8964.

___      Submit official transcripts from all colleges and universities previously attended, no matter how long ago or how little credit was earned, including all correspondence courses and foreign credit. A “Summary of Transfer Credit” will not be accepted. The transcripts must be in sealed envelopes with a stamp over the seal and must be included in the application packet .

___        If you took the computer-based version of the PRAXIS-PPST, submit the official report of your scores. (If you took the paper-based version or the C-BASE, make sure that we have received official copies from their5 offices before our deadline.)

Submit all materials to: Admissions Committee, Department of Special Education, 1705 East Campus Center Drive Room 221, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112-9253.  (See attached sheet on Application Deadlines.)

SPECIAL EDUCATION UNDERGRADUATE TEACHER EDUCATION PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

COURSE WORK.  Depending on the area of specialization, the Special Education Undergraduate Teacher Education Program Ranges from 61 to 80 credit hours of required course work. Some courses may be double counted toward General Education requirements, Special Education courses are taken in two categories: Professional CORE, and Area SPECIALIZATION. Additional interdisciplinary and educational foundation classes are necessary to complete the program.

Course Credit and Graduation Requirements 

•  Independent Study/Correspondence courses will not be accepted toward the listed degree requirements.

•  Junior College course work will not be applied to upper division courses, 200- level or above. 

•  All required departmental course work must be completed with a grade of “C” or better and must be taken for a letter grade, not under the University Credit/No Credit Option. Likewise, all field experiences and student teaching must be successfully completed and awarded “credit.”

•  Courses listed below are not guaranteed to be offered every semester. Students are advised to meet with the Student Advisor and/or specialty area program coordinator to receive the most current course offering schedules.

•  Due to changes in the research on teaching and learning, classroom practices, and Utah State Office of Education Standards for teacher licensure, courses over five years old will not be accepted toward licensure program credit at the time of admission.

•  By the end of the program, an admitted teacher candidate must have earned at least a 3.0 GPA in the program (special education courses, educational foundation courses, and interdisciplinary courses required for the major) and must meet professional competencies, including those in practicum settings. Otherwise, the student will not be recommended for licensure.

•  The program should be completed within three years of acceptance into the major. Depending on the area of specialization, and the semester in which course work in our program is begun, many students will be able to complete the Special Education Teacher Education Program in four consecutive semesters following admission (excluding summer).

Professional CORE

The first phase of the Special Education Undergraduate Teacher Education Program is the Professional CORE that typically comprises the first year of studies in the major.

Professional Core Courses (16 credit hours)

____ SPED 5011 (3) Teaching Children with Disabilities in Special Education Setting
____ SPED 5021 (3) Principles of Learning and Assessment
____ SPED 5022 (3) Principles of Instruction and Behavioral Support
____ SPED 5030 (3) Functional Communication and language Development
____ SPED 5040 (3) Legal and Policy Foundations of Special Education
____ SPED 5053 (1) Professional Skills Modules

Area SPECIALIZATION (Variable hours, depending on area of specialization)

The second phase of the Special Education Undergraduate Teacher Education Program is in an area of specialization that includes: Mild/Moderate Disabilities , Severe Disabilities , Early Childhood Special Education , Visual Impairments , and Hearing Impairments .

The specialization phase of the teacher education program typically comprises the second year of studies in the major.

The first phase of specialization requires extensive field experiences prior to student teaching. Pre-student-teaching field experiences require a range of 15 to 18 clock hours per week in practicum settings. Prospective teacher candidates should refer to specialization area program descriptions for course work and sequence.

The second phase of specialization is student teaching, which is conceptualized as the culminating experience for teacher candidates to apply assimilated skills. As such, student teaching is considered a full-time experience for a minimum of one semester. Student teaching assignments are located in a group of specially selected schools in which teacher candidates observe and practice teaching methods. Teacher candidates demonstrate mastery of specific competencies under the supervision of a cooperating, classroom teacher and a university supervisor employed by the Department of Special Education. Field supervisors and program coordinators in each specialization area arrange student teaching placements.

LICENSURE BY THE STATE OF UTAH

In addition to the professional requirements for licensure, the state requires a background check.

Background Check for Initial Licensure . By legislative mandate, applicants for teaching licensure in Utah are required to have a background check including fingerprinting. For further information, contact the Department of Special Education or the Utah State Office of Education, 250 East 500 South, Salt Lake City , Utah 84111 , (801) 538-7741, Attn: Dr. Ronald Stanfield, Coordinator, Licensing and Personnel Development.

Criminal Conviction . Teacher Licensure by the state of Utah may be denied because of a previous criminal conviction. If you have questions about your status, you must contact the Associate Dean for Professional Education of the College of Education before proceeding with your program in teacher education. The Utah Professional Practices Advisory Committee, c/o Executive Secretary, State Office of Education, 250 East 500 South, Salt Lake City , Utah 84111 reviews all such cases.