Special Education

The undergraduate Special Education teacher education program provides professional training for those who wish to be educators for young children and students with disabilities. Through a combination of academic coursework and hands-on experience, you will graduate with the critical thinking skills, pedagogical knowledge, and human understanding you need to be an effective educator to those with unique education needs. Students who successfully complete the program are recommended for licensure to the Utah State Office of Education; once licensure is granted, students may become teachers in the state of Utah. The program offers five areas of emphasis:

• Deaf and Hard of Hearing
• Early Childhood Special Education
• Mild/Moderate Disabilities
• Severe Disabilities
• Visual Impairment

Student Experiences at the U

If you want to enrich your studies, consider completing an undergraduate research project or learning abroad experience. Students who want to get involved on campus have a number of opportunities to do so through the following:

• Education & Advocacy Bennion Center Group
• Student Council for Exceptional Children
• Special Education Student Advisory Committee

The Urban Institute for Teacher Education hosts outreach events to students and the community, and both the Utah Multi-University Consortium Teacher Preparation Program and the Utah Education Network offer resources that will help you in your career as an educator.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the program who have received their licensure to teach may become special education teachers at the preschool, elementary, middle school, or high school level. Remain in Utah and work in a school system here, or move to another state to practice your special education skills in a new environment and community.

For students who complete graduate programs, careers as administrators, principals, professors, counselors, or advisors are also possible.

Scholarships

Harker-Ferguson Endowed Scholarship Fund
Herbert I. and Elsa B. Michael Foundation Graduate Student Scholarship
The Hilda Christensen Larsen Endowed Scholarship for Sensory Impairments
The Nyla D. Schowe Endowed Scholarship in Special Education

Degrees offered

Special Education BS

Department of Special Education

Elementary and Secondary Education

Elementary Education

If you want to help others grow and learn and be a positive force for change in your community, consider the University of Utah’s undergraduate Elementary Teacher Education program. The major provides broad preparation across many academic disciplines and concentrated professional training for teaching the elementary school curriculum. Upon successful completion of the program and the Praxis II Elementary Education Content Knowledge Exam, you will be recommended to the Utah State Office of Education to receive your K-6 Utah Level I Teaching License. Upon graduation, you will be prepared to work with students across various age and ability levels, and from diverse cultural, linguistic and socioeconomic backgrounds.

Secondary Education

If you are passionate about a particular field and want to educate and train others in that topic, consider entering the world of secondary education. Successful secondary teachers first acquire in-depth knowledge of a given subject, and they then apply concepts and principles of the subject as they educate their students. The U offers the following secondary subject areas for students to specialize in:

• Art Teaching BFA
• Biology Teaching BA/BS
• Chemistry - Teaching Emphasis BA/BS
• Earth Science Composite Teaching BS
• English Teaching BA
• French Teaching BA
• History Teaching BA
• Kinesiology Teaching BS
• Mathematics Teaching BA/BS
• Modern Dance Teaching BFA
• Music Education BMus - Choral Emphasis/Instrumental Emphasis
• Physics Teaching BA/BS
• Spanish Teaching BA
• Theatre Teaching BFA

Student Experiences at the U

Elementary Education

For skill enhancement, students can earn an ESL Endorsement by completing additional coursework and a certification exam. If you want to get involved in your community, be sure to participate in the outreach activities hosted by the Urban Institute for Teacher Education (UITE). These events give you the chance to professionally network and socialize with other students and faculty. Additional involvement opportunities include the following:

• Education & Advocacy Bennion Center Student Groups
• Special Education Student Advisory Committee
• Education Policy and Leadership Student Advisory Committee

Secondary Education

Students seeking academic enrichment can complete undergraduate research projects through their major coursework, allowing them to pursue individual interest areas as they apply in a classroom environment. If you want to get involved on campus, consider joining a club through your major department or other department:

• Education & Advocacy Bennion Center Group (promotes lifelong education in the community)
• Utah Reads (hires students to provide literacy and math tutoring to elementary school children)
• Special Education Student Advisory Committee (group for students interested or majoring in special education)

Career Opportunities

Elementary Education

Once you have graduated, you will apply the skills gained from your coursework and student teaching to a career at these education levels:

• Kindergarten
• Elementary
• Middle school

Students can also find jobs in other areas:

• Academic support specialists
• Nannies
• Tutors
• School administrators

With additional education or certification, you can also pursue a career as special education teacher, high school teacher, librarian, principal, therapist, counselor, or academic advisor.

Secondary Education

Upon graduation and successful completion of the PRAXIS test (a series of tests required for teacher licensing in the state of Utah), students may pursue careers as teachers at these education levels:

• Middle school
• High school

Stay in Utah as a local educator, or relocate to another part of the country to teach in an entirely new state (licensure in your new state might be required). With additional education at the graduate level, students can become principals, school counselors, professors, or administrators.

Scholarships

Department Scholarships

Degrees offered 

Elementary Education

Elementary Education BA
Elementary Education BS

Department of Education

Secondary Education

Secondary Education Licensure

Department of Education

Educational Psychology

The Educational Psychology program emphasizes the application of behavioral sciences to educational and psychological processes. Students in this program are trained in the knowledge of education and psychology to that they can best serve the holistic needs of students.

Student Experiences at the U

Students fulfill general university requirements in addition to taking core and applied educational psychology courses.  The core courses introduce students to the field of educational psychology and provide a foundation in learning, human development, social emotional skills, and the psychology of multiculturalism.  The applied courses help students develop skills in individual and group counseling, behavior change, consultation, collaboration, and understanding psychopathology and other disabilities.

In their final year of the program, students participate in two supervised field experiences (practica) relevant to their interests and identified career path.

Enrich your studies and build a competitive resume by:

• Volunteering through the Bennion Center: https://bennioncenter.org/2021_students/index_students.php
• Studying abroad for a semester: https://learningabroad.utah.edu/
• Engaging in undergraduate research: https://our.utah.edu/for-students/getting-started/
• Meeting with an involvement ambassador to learn about on-campus involvement opportunities that fit with your major, hobbies, interests, potential skill development, and goals: https://leadership.utah.edu/involvement-ambassadors.php

Career Opportunities

While in the program, students have the opportunity to be credentialed as a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT).

Upon graduation, students have an opportunity to be credentialed as a Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analysist (BCaBA).

Additional career paths include:

• School Interventionist/Behavior Specialist in the Schools
• Autism Spectrum Disorder Specialist
• Child Life Advocate
• Caseworker
• Academic Advisor
• Admissions Evaluator
• College Recruiter
• Wilderness Therapy Guide
• College/Employment Counselor
• Employee Relations Specialist
• Personnel Recruiter
• Community Program Manager
• Activities Director
• (General/Special Education) Paraprofessionals
• Student Support Assistant
• Home Health Aides and Personal Care Aides
• Probation or Parole Officer
• Management Analyst
• Psychiatric Aide/Technician
• Substance Abuse Counselor
• Victim’s Advocate

Scholarships

Educational Psychology BA/BS

College of Education ScholarshipsEntering Freshmen Scholarships
Transfer Student ScholarshipsCurrent Student Scholarships

Degrees offered 

Educational Psychology BA/BS

Department of Education