Department of Special Education
Our mission is to improve the quality of life of people with disabilities and their families by developing and disseminating essential skills, knowledge, and values through research, teaching, and service.
Bachelor Degree Programs
The Special Education major is a sequenced program that includes a Professional Core of courses to introduce important principles followed by Specialization courses in a specific area of disability (see specialization options below). The specialization sequence of the program includes extensive field experiences followed by a full semester of student teaching.
- Severe Disabilities, K-12
- Mild/Moderate Disabilities, K-12
- Deaf/Hard of Hearing, K-12
- Visual Impairments, K-12
- Preschool Special Education and Early Intervention, Birth-Age 5
For program information click here: https://special-ed.utah.edu/undergraduate/index.php Links to an external site.
Bachelor Degree Admission Requirements
In addition to being admitted to the University of Utah, students interested in Special Education must apply to the Department and be accepted into the Licensure program.
Minimum requirements for admission into the University of Utah’s Department of Special Education include:
- a minimum GPA of 3.0
- proof of a USBE-cleared fingerprint background check
Students must also have at least 24 credit hours of university course work (or accepted transfer credit) completed, including EDU 1010 and/or SP ED 2010 (or equivalent) by the beginning of the semester for which they are seeking admission.
The Department of Special Education takes a holistic approach in evaluating each applicant’s file by examining: GPA, letters of recommendation, applicant’s personal statement and work history. Applications for admission are accepted three times a year: October 1st (spring deadline), March 1st (summer/ first fall deadline) and May 16th (final fall deadline).
Make sure to consult the application checklists for application deadlines and step-by-step admission instructions: https://special-ed.utah.edu/prospective/undergrad-application-info.php Links to an external site.
Minor in Special Education for Non-SP ED Majors
The Minor in Special Education provides an opportunity for undergraduate students who are not pursuing a career in special education to better understand and support the needs of individuals with disabilities and their families. This will be of interest to students across multiple fields of study outside of special education who are likely to work with students with disabilities and their families in the context of their chosen careers.
Successful completion of the Minor in Special Education will also create an opportunity for interested students to acquire a Special Education Master’s Degree with Licensure in an abbreviated time-frame.
The Minor in Special Education consists of 18 credit hours (6 courses). Fifteen (15) credit hours are for required courses. The remaining 3 credit hours are completed by choosing one of two elective courses.
Students interested in obtaining a Minor in Special Education should contact the Department of Special Education’s Academic Advisor, Kaitlin Lindsey, at k.lindsey@utah.edu or 801-581-4764.
For more information click here:https://special-ed.utah.edu/_documents/prospective/ugrad/minor-program-requirements.pdf Links to an external site.