Special Education
College of Education
Emphases: Mild/Moderate Disabilities, Severe Disabilities, Visual Impairments, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Early Childhood Special Education
Bennion
Center
Office of
Undergraduate Research
Courses
Getting Started
- Explore SP ED specialization areas to select one as your emphasis
- Complete USBE federal background clearance
- Begin SP ED pre-major courses and Gen Eds (prioritize math requirements)
Making Progress
- Actively meet with your advisor (min. 2x/year)
In your 2nd year:
- Apply to declare the major
- Finish any GE and pre-major requirements
- Confirm test/transfer credit are on your degree audit
- Explore minors/certificates to enhance your degree
In your 3rd year:
- Complete the Professional Teacher Education core
- Explore student teaching placement options for next year
- Check your degree audit as graduation nears
Finishing Up
- Review your degree audit with your advisor
- Take your professional licensing exams
- Apply for graduation
- Apply for your Utah Professional Teaching license
Community
Getting Started
- Get involved with the SCEC
- Volunteer with our UFit program or the Bennion Center
- Participate in events hosted by the COE Student Council
- Follow SP ED on social media
Making Progress
- Get to know your peers in the Teacher Education Core courses
- Join the SP ED Student Advisory Committee (SAC)
- Meet with faculty to get inspiration or ideas for your own career
- Connect with the Utah Education Network and Utah Education Policy Center to complete an undergraduate research project
- Apply to go on an Alternative Break with the Bennion Center
- Explore student groups on campus
Finishing Up
- Get involved with the Alumni Association and join Forever Utah
- Look for leadership opportunities in your student group(s)
- Consider applying to be a Bennion Scholar
Knowledge & Skills
Getting Started
- Check out academic resources like the Marriott Library, Knowledge Commons, Writing Center, Math Center, & Learning Center
- Look into scholarship and other financial aid options
Making Progress
Make the most of service learning experiences
- Consider part-time employment in schools; work as a paraeducator or in summer school, after-school, and residential programs
- Volunteer with the University Reading Clinic and UFit program
- Participate in a Hinckley Global Internship or learning abroad experience
Finishing Up
- Explore grad programs/jobs that deepen knowledge and skills
- Compile student teaching resources (lesson and behavior plans)
- Present at the Education Research Symposium
Transformation
Getting Started
- Develop a Teaching Philosophy statement that reflects your values and beliefs about teaching and learning
- Identify people who can support you in your educational & professional goals
Making Progress
- Meet with your assigned SP ED faculty mentor regularly
- Gain practical application and leadership experience through service in various contexts -- Student Council for Exceptional Children , Student Advisory Committee, UFit program, COE Student Council
- Evaluate your workload to create a graduation plan that works for you
- Devote time to self-awareness and school/work-life balance
Finishing Up
- Create a portfolio of your student teaching artifacts that you can reference in job interviews
- Participate in College/Dept. graduation events
Impact
Getting Started
- Pick one event from the U calendar to attend each week
- Attend a Student Council for Exceptional Children (SCEC) event and faculty or guest lecturer presentation in the College
Making Progress
- Apply to volunteer & work opportunities in your field
- Find mentors during your classroom and school based service-learning experiences
- Meet with Dept. faculty to get inspiration or ideas for your own career
- Complete an UROP project and/or work with one of the College of Ed.’s Research groups and centers
- Attend the Education Research Symposium to check out other student research projects
Finishing Up
- Share a project/research at the Education Research Symposium
- Present an in-service topic in your student teaching placement
- Join professional organizations in SP ED
Careers
Getting Started
Making Progress
- Regularly update your resume and Teaching Philosophy as you develop knowledge, skills, and experience
- Attend career fairs hosted by local school districts
- Apply for volunteer opportunities in your field
- Look into student leadership roles that offer networking opportunities
- Explore graduate programs for additional credentials
- Meet with a Career Coach to refine resume and interview skills
Finishing Up
- Present an in-service topic at your student teaching site
- Apply for jobs in your field
- Stay connected with COE and continue to check out UITE’s Teacher Resources
Start Your Career Journey
Find support at the Career and Professional Development Center (CPDC)
About the Major
The Special Education (SP ED) major at the U is an interdisciplinary teacher preparation program that provides professional training for educating young children and students with disabilities. In the SP ED program you will develop the knowledge and skills to work toward improving the quality of life for people with disabilities and their families.
You can tailor your degree to suit your interests by selecting from one of five specialization areas—Mild/Moderate Disabilities (K-12); Severe Disabilities (K-12); Visual Impairments (K-12); Deaf and Hard of Hearing (K-12); Early Childhood Special Education (Birth-Age 5)—allowing you to focus on a specific area of disability and explore the strategies of teaching students within their learning environments from Preschool (Birth-Age 5) to grades K-12 and adults up to age 22.
The SP ED major includes a set of professional teacher education core courses that address topics such as early childhood education, secondary classroom education, assessment and instruction principles, language development, legal and policy foundations, reading methods, writing instruction, math instruction, and classroom technology integration. In your final year, you complete a set of specialization courses and a full year of student teaching. Upon graduation, you will be recommended for your Utah Professional Teaching License, which is transferable to other states.
You can tailor your degree to suit your interests by selecting from one of five specialization areas—Mild/Moderate Disabilities (K-12); Severe Disabilities (K-12); Visual Impairments (K-12); Deaf and Hard of Hearing (K-12); Early Childhood Special Education (Birth-Age 5)—allowing you to focus on a specific area of disability and explore the strategies of teaching students within their learning environments from Preschool (Birth-Age 5) to grades K-12 and adults up to age 22.
The SP ED major includes a set of professional teacher education core courses that address topics such as early childhood education, secondary classroom education, assessment and instruction principles, language development, legal and policy foundations, reading methods, writing instruction, math instruction, and classroom technology integration. In your final year, you complete a set of specialization courses and a full year of student teaching. Upon graduation, you will be recommended for your Utah Professional Teaching License, which is transferable to other states.
Learning Outcomes
- Understand the central concepts, tools of inquiry, and structure of the discipline(s) you will teach and create learning experiences to make them meaningful to students. Design, adapt, and deliver instruction that address a students’ diverse learning strengths and needs.
- Advocate for the learners, the school, the community, and the profession. Collaborate with essential partners to create a learning culture that promotes student growth and development.
- Be a reflective practitioner who uses evidence to continually evaluate and adapt your practice to meet the needs of each learner. Seek new knowledge will lead to improvements in the education and lives of individuals with disabilities and their families.
- Demonstrate the highest standard of legal and ethical conduct by adhering to and upholding laws, rules, policies, and directives.
Plan & Prepare
At the U, we plan for our students to have an exceptional Educational Experience identified by four broad categories we call the Learning Framework: Community, Knowledge & Skills, Transformation, and Impact. This major map will help you envision, explore, design, and plan your personalized Exceptional Education Experience with the Learning Framework at the core. In addition to assisting you in planning your coursework and navigating the requirements of your major, this map will help you incorporate other kinds of experiences to expand your knowledge, support your development, and prepare you for the future you want.