Special Education with K-12 Licensure, BS

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Program Description 

The mission of the Department of Education is to develop competent, caring, and qualified teachers by ensuring that our students acquire the necessary professional knowledge in content and teaching. In pursuit of that goal, the department provides engaging and rigorous classes in the essential areas of teaching, extensive practicum/field experiences in a variety of settings, advisement/mentoring/supervision from experienced, knowledgeable, and caring professors, all within the context of a student-centered learning environment.

Professional Licensure/Certification (PLC) Requirements

The curriculum for programs at Utah Tech University customarily leading to licensure have been designed to meet the educational licensure/certification requirements in Utah as well as to prepare students to apply for licensure exams in the State of Utah. The licensure boards in each state are responsible for establishing the requirements for licensure/certification for their state. Requirement may vary state to state and may change at any time. Students who intend to use their Utah Tech degree to secure licensure in any state other than Utah will need to review the professional licensure disclosures in that state pertaining to their program and consult with the state professional licensing board.  For more information, visit the State Authorization and Professional Licensure web page and select your program, or speak to the director of your program.

Program Curriculum

120 credits

Utah Tech General Education Requirements

All Utah Tech General Education requirements must be fulfilled. A previously earned degree may fulfill those requirements, but courses must be equivalent to Utah Tech's minimum General Education standards in American Institutions, English, and Mathematics.

General Education Core Requirements

English3-7
Mathematics3-5
American Institutions3-6
Life Sciences3-10
Physical Sciences3-5
Fine Arts3
Literature/Humanities3
Social & Behavioral Sciences3
Exploration 3-5

*NOTE: Grade C or higher required in MATH 1030 Quantitative Reasoning (MA) or  MATH 1050 College Algebra / Pre-Calculus (MA).

PROGRAM PREREQUISITE REQUIREMENTS

Minimum 63 college credits
Completed Associate of Arts degree

Completed Associate of Science degree

Complete one of the following to fulfill the Diversity Component:

  • Minimum 1-semester of any college-level foreign language (including ASL)
  • Evidence of having lived in a non-English speaking country or environment for a continuous period of one (1) year or more
  • Evidence of testing out of college-level foreign language coursework (CLEP or other standardized test accepted for credit at Utah Tech)
MATH 1030Quantitative Reasoning (MA)3
or MATH 1050 College Algebra / Pre-Calculus (MA)
FSHD 1500Human Development Lifespan (SS, GC)3
or PSY 1010 General Psychology (SS, GC)
or PSY 1100 Human Development Through Lifespan (SS, GC)
HIST 1700American History (AI)3
or POLS 1100 American Government (AI)
EDUC 1010Foundations/Intro to Education3
EDUC 2010Intro to Exceptional Learners3
EDUC 2400Foundations Multicultural/ESL (SS, GC, ALCI)3
EDUC 2500Instructional Technology in K-12 Classrooms3
EDUC 3110Educational Psychology3
SPED 2700Special Education Law3
MATH 2010Math for Elementary Teachers I3
MATH 2020Math for Elemen Teachers II3

NOTE: USBE R277-504-3 A(3) “requires candidates to maintain a cumulative university GPA of 3.0, and receive a C or better in all education related courses and major required content courses". Passing grade on MATH 2020 Math for Elementary Teachers II exit exam required.

PRofessional courses

Prerequisite: Admission to the Utah Tech University Special Education program.

Semester One

SPED 3500Program Planning and Implementation in the Inclusive Classroom 2
ELED 3100Curriculum Design Plan Assess (ALPP)2
ELED 3350Literacy Acquisition of Young Children (ALPP)3
ELED 3650Assessment of K-8 Learners (ALPP)3
ELED 3250Effective Classroom Mgmt (ALPP)2
SPED 4720Social, Learning, and Behavior Supports in the Inclusive Classroom 2
SPED 3200Practicum in Special Education 13
Total Hours17

Semester Two

EDUC 3300Literacy Beyond the Early Years3
ELED 4100Methods of Teaching Elementary Math (ALPP)3
SPED 4250Teaching Reading/Language Arts to Students with Disabilities 3
SPED 3850Transition Planning2
MATH 4450Math for Secondary Special Education Teachers3
SPED 3700Practicum in Special Education 23
Total Hours17

Semester Three

SPED 4650Effective Teaching Strategies for Mild/Moderate Disabilities 3
ELED 4600Methods/Teaching Elementary Language Arts (ALPP)2
ELED 4430Family/Parent Involvement (ALCI)2
SPED 4530Teaching Math to Students with Disabilities 3
SPED 4750Behavior Supports for Students with Disabilities 2
SPED 4240Assessment and Evaluation of Students with Exceptionalities 2
SPED 4000Practicum in Special Education 3 3
Total Hours17

Semester Four

SPED 4900Special Education Student Teaching 10
SPED 4989Special Education Student Teaching Capstone3
Total Hours13

Licensure Requirement 

  • Students are required to pass the PRAXIS for Special Education.
  • Students are required to pass the PRAXIS Performance Assessment for Teachers (PPAT).

Graduation Requirements 

  1. Complete a minimum of 120 college-level credits (1000 and above).
  2. Complete at least 40 upper-division credits (3000 and above).
  3. Complete at least 30 upper-division credits at Utah Tech for institutional residency.
  4. Cumulative university GPA 3.0 or higher.
  5. USBE R277-504-3 A(3) “requires candidates to maintain a cumulative university GPA of 3.0, and receive a C or better in all education related courses and major required content courses".
  6. GPA 3.0 or higher in all program prerequisite and professional courses.