Special Education (Minor)

Location(s): Main Campus

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Program Information

All courses must be passed with a C (2.0) or better to be counted in the minor.
Successful completion of this minor may result in professional licensure in special education with a mild/moderate endorsement.
This minor is for students majoring in elementary or secondary education and earning licensure in either area. Students cannot be recommended for a professional licensure in special education without also completing an elementary or secondary education program.

Literacy Leveling Courses

All elementary- and secondary-level students seeking licensure in special education must earn a score of 240 or higher on the Utah Foundations of Reading Assessment (UFORA). Students may elect to take literacy-related courses beyond SPED 4130 - Intervention Strategies in ELA for Students with Disabilities to help prepare for the UFORA. Note that the following courses are required in the elementary education major but optional for all secondary education students:

Special Education Minor Curriculum (27 Credits)

Foundation Course (3 Credits)

SPED 2010 - Educating Exceptional Students 3 Credit(s)

Special Education Courses (21 Credits)

SPED 4100 - Programming, Management, and Assistive Technology 3 Credit(s)
SPED 4110 - History and Law 3 Credit(s)
SPED 4120 - Creating and Managing Behavior in the Learning Environments 3 Credit(s)
SPED 4130 - Intervention Strategies in ELA for Students with Disabilities 3 Credit(s)
SPED 4145 - Collaboration and Post-Secondary Transition 3 Credit(s)
SPED 4160 - Assessment for Learning and Data Driven Decisions for Special Education 3 Credit(s)
SPED 4170 - Intervention Strategies in Math for Students with Disabilities 3 Credit(s)

Special Education Student Teaching (3 Credits)

Students seeking the minor must complete student teaching, which typically consists of a 6-week experience in addition to elementary- or secondary-level general education student teaching.

SPED 4980 - Special Education Student Teaching 3 Credit(s)

Total Credits, Minor: 27

Licensure Notification

This program typically leads to licensure/certification and was designed to meet such qualifications for the state of Utah. Students who are or may be planning to pursue licensure/certification in any other US state or territory may need to meet additional education requirements. This is not a reflection of SUU’s accreditation or quality, as each state and territory regulates their own education requirements for occupational licensure.

Students enrolled in a teacher preparation program may potentially be able to use a Utah educator license to obtain licensure through reciprocity. Additional information may be found through the Department of Teacher Education’s reciprocity table.

Program Learning Outcomes

Core special education courses fulfill all competency requirements of Utah’s Board Rule R-277-304-7 for special education teacher preparation programs. Students will learn evidence-based practices for teaching students with disabilities through rigorous coursework, practical classroom application, and collaboration with peers and instructors.

Learn to design, adapt, and deliver instruction to address each student’s diverse learning strengths and needs.
Understand compliance with federal and state laws as they relate to the provision of special education.
Support learning of all students through the establishment of a positive learning climate that values multiple experiences, diversity, and respectful interactions.
Demonstrate collaboration and shared responsibility for decision-making with other school professionals to plan and jointly facilitate learning to meet diverse needs of students.
Design and implements developmentally appropriate and challenging learning experiences in collaboration with families, colleagues, and students.