Special Education - Mild/Moderate/Severe, B.S.
Visit the Secondary and Special Education Department page for more information on the program and access to advising.
Program Description
The Special Education - Mild/Moderate/Severe, B.S. prepares students to become effective educators for K-12 students with mild, moderate, and severe disabilities. This program equips future teachers with the knowledge, skills, and strategies necessary to support diverse learners and create inclusive, student-centered environments. Graduates who successfully complete all program and licensure requirements earn a Bachelor of Science degree and are recommended for a Utah Professional Educator License from the Utah State Board of Education.
Matriculation Requirements
Admission criteria includes:
- ENGL and MATH QL courses must have a grade C or higher.
- GPA of 2.7 or higher
- General Education and Pre-program coursework
- Grade of B- or higher in pre-program courses (Math courses C or higher)
- Pass LiveScan Criminal Background Check
- (Recommended) Complete Autism Studies Minor
- (Optional) Completion of the Associate of Science degree in Pre-Elementary Education or equivalent (completion of this degree does not guarantee acceptance into the UVU Special Education Program)
Program Requirements
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Total Credit Hours | 120 | |
| General Education Requirements | 30 Credits | |
| ENGL 1010 | Introduction to Academic Writing | 3 |
| or ENGL 1005 | Foundations of Academic Writing | |
| ENGL 2010 | Intermediate Academic Writing | 3 |
| Complete one of the following: 1 | 3 | |
| College Algebra (undefined) (4) | ||
| College Algebra with Preliminaries (5) | ||
| Algebraic Reasoning with Modeling (3) | ||
| Complete one of the following: | 3 | |
| US History to 1877 and US History since 1877 (6) | ||
| American History (3) | ||
| US Economic History (3) | ||
| American Heritage (3) | ||
| American National Government (3) | ||
| Complete the following: | ||
| Distribution Courses | ||
| Biology | 3 | |
| Physical Science | 3 | |
| Personal, Professional, & Civic Growth | 3 | |
| Humanities | 3 | |
| Fine Arts | 3 | |
| Social Sciences | 3 | |
| Pre-Professional Core Requirements: 2 | 18 Credits | |
| EDEL 1010 | Introduction to Education 3 | 2 |
| EDEL 2330 | Childrens Literature 3 | 3 |
| MATH 2010 | Mathematics for Elementary Teachers I 1 | 3 |
| AUTS 2500G | Understanding the Autism Spectrum | 3 |
| EDSP 2840 | Instruction and Assistive Technology | 2 |
| EDSP 2400G | Introduction to Special Education | 2 |
| MATH 2020 | Mathematics for Elementary Teachers II 1 | 3 |
| Elective Requirements | 12 Credits | |
| Complete additional credits to meet requirements. | 12 | |
| Professional Education Core Requirements 3 | 60 Credits | |
| EDEL 4400 | Elementary Literacy Instruction and Assessment I | 3 |
| EDSP 3000 | Educational Psychology | 3 |
| EDSP 4100 | Instructional Strategies and Program Management for Students with Mild/Moderate Disabilities | 3 |
| EDSP 4110 | Special Education Law/Policies/Procedures | 3 |
| EDSP 4120 | School to Post-School Transition Planning | 2 |
| EDSP 4130 | Math Instruction for Students with Mild/Moderate/Severe Disabilities | 2 |
| EDSP 4131 | Math Practicum | 1 |
| EDSP 4135 | Reading and Writing Instruction for Students with Mild/Moderate/Severe Disabilities K-12 | 2 |
| EDSP 4136 | Reading Practicum | 1 |
| EDSP 4140 | Collaboration and Consultation with Parents and School Staff | 3 |
| AUTS 4650 | Autism and Applied Behavior Analysis | 3 |
| EDSP 4160 | Assessment and Evaluation in Special Education | 3 |
| EDSP 4170 | Instruction in Life Skills for Students with Severe and Significant Disabilities | 3 |
| EDSP 4180 | Curriculum and Instruction for Students with Severe and Significant Disabilities | 3 |
| EDSP 4200 | Classroom Management I | 2 |
| EDSP 4250 | Classroom Management II | 2 |
| EDSP 4440 | Content Literacy | 3 |
| EDSP 4450G | Multicultural and Multilingual Education | 3 |
| EDSP 4550G | Curriculum Design and Assessment | 3 |
| EDEL 4510 | Elementary Mathematics Instruction and Assessment I | 3 |
| EDSP 4990 | Teacher Performance Assessment Project 4 | 2 |
| Compete one of the following. | 7 | |
| Special Education Student Teaching--Grades K-6 (4-10) | ||
| Special Education Student Teaching--7-12 (4-10) | ||
- 1
"C" grade or higher
- 2
Students must complete all Pre-Professional and General Education courses with an overall GPA of 2.7 before they are formally admitted into the Teacher Preparation Program. Students must meet with their academic advisor to determine which classes to take 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th semesters.
- 3
Must be completed with a grade of B- or higher.
- 4
Taken with student teaching.
Graduation Requirements
- Completion of a minimum of 120 semester credits.
- Overall grade point average of 2.7 or above.
- Residency hours -- minimum of 30 credit hours through course attendance at UVU, with at least 10 hours earned in the last 45 hours.
- Completion of GE and specified departmental requirements.
- Successful completion of at least one Global/Intercultural course.
- Successful completion of at least two Writing Enriched courses.
- Grade of B- or higher for all AUTS courses
Note: Application forms are available at the beginning of each Fall semester, must be completed by October 1st, and can be obtained in the Education Department, 801-863-8527.
Graduation Plan
This graduation plan is a sample plan and is intended to be a guide. Your specific plan may differ based on your Math and English placement and/or transfer credits applied. You are encouraged to meet with an advisor and set up an individualized graduation plan in Wolverine Track.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | Credit Hours | |
| ENGL 1010 or ENGL 1005 | Introduction to Academic Writing or Foundations of Academic Writing | 3 |
| Complete one of the following: | 3 | |
| College Algebra | ||
| College Algebra with Preliminaries | ||
| Algebraic Reasoning with Modeling | ||
| Humanities Distribution | 3 | |
| EDEL 1010 | Introduction to Education | 2 |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 14 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| ENGL 2010 | Intermediate Academic Writing | 3 |
| MATH 2010 | Mathematics for Elementary Teachers I | 3 |
| Physical Science Distribution | 3 | |
| EDEL 2330 | Childrens Literature | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Semester 3 | ||
| MATH 2020 | Mathematics for Elementary Teachers II | 3 |
| US Institutions Distribution | 3 | |
| Fine Arts | 3 | |
| Personal, Professional, & Civic Growth | 3 | |
| AUTS 2500G | Understanding the Autism Spectrum | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Semester 4 | ||
| Social Sciences | 3 | |
| EDSP 2840 | Instruction and Assistive Technology | 2 |
| Elective | 6 | |
| Biology Distribution | 3 | |
| EDSP 2400G | Introduction to Special Education | 2 |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Semester 5 | ||
| EDSP 3000 | Educational Psychology | 3 |
| EDSP 4170 | Instruction in Life Skills for Students with Severe and Significant Disabilities | 3 |
| EDSP 4100 | Instructional Strategies and Program Management for Students with Mild/Moderate Disabilities | 3 |
| EDSP 4200 | Classroom Management I | 2 |
| EDSP 4550G | Curriculum Design and Assessment | 3 |
| EDEL 4400 | Elementary Literacy Instruction and Assessment I | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 17 | |
| Semester 6 | ||
| EDEL 4510 | Elementary Mathematics Instruction and Assessment I | 3 |
| EDSP 4130 | Math Instruction for Students with Mild/Moderate/Severe Disabilities | 2 |
| EDSP 4131 | Math Practicum | 1 |
| EDSP 4135 | Reading and Writing Instruction for Students with Mild/Moderate/Severe Disabilities K-12 | 2 |
| EDSP 4136 | Reading Practicum | 1 |
| EDSP 4250 | Classroom Management II | 2 |
| EDSP 4110 | Special Education Law/Policies/Procedures | 3 |
| EDSP 4120 | School to Post-School Transition Planning | 2 |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Semester 7 | ||
| EDSP 4160 | Assessment and Evaluation in Special Education | 3 |
| AUTS 4650 | Autism and Applied Behavior Analysis | 3 |
| EDSP 4180 | Curriculum and Instruction for Students with Severe and Significant Disabilities | 3 |
| EDSP 4440 | Content Literacy | 3 |
| EDSP 4450G | Multicultural and Multilingual Education | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Semester 8 | ||
| EDSP 4885 or EDSP 4895 | Special Education Student Teaching--Grades K-6 or Special Education Student Teaching--7-12 | 7 |
| EDSP 4140 | Collaboration and Consultation with Parents and School Staff | 3 |
| EDSP 4990 | Teacher Performance Assessment Project | 2 |
| Credit Hours | 12 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 120 | |
Program Learning Outcomes
- Analyze and describe the impact of unique learner characteristics on student development and growth.
- Design and implement effective instructional plans that promote student learning and engagement.
- Apply evidence-based instructional practices to meet the diverse learning needs of K-12 students.
- Create academic, physical, social, and emotional conditions that foster student-centered learning environment.
- Adhere to professional and ethical standards in collaboration with schools, families, and communities.
Education teachers, postsecondary
- Total Positions77,200
- Field Growth3.3%
- Median Salary$73,240
- Average Openings6.1
Special education teachers, preschool
- Total Positions25,700
- Field Growth1.6%
- Median Salary$65,270
- Average Openings1.8
Special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school
- Total Positions212,700
- Field Growth-0.7%
- Median Salary$64,910
- Average Openings14.2
Special education teachers, middle school
- Total Positions88,600
- Field Growth-0.9%
- Median Salary$66,600
- Average Openings5.9
Special education teachers, secondary school
- Total Positions159,500
- Field Growth-0.6%
- Median Salary$66,620
- Average Openings10.7
Special education teachers, all other
- Total Positions45,100
- Field Growth2.1%
- Median Salary$67,190
- Average Openings3.2