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General Catalog

Accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)

Mailing Address: 1721 Campus Center Drive, Room 2280, Salt Lake City, UT 84112
Office Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Monday-Friday)
Website: special-ed.utah.edu
Phone: 801-581-8121
Email: spedadvisor@utah.edu

Department Chair: Breda O’Keeffe, Ph.D.
Undergraduate Director: Sandy Smith, Ph.D.
Graduate Director: Breda O’Keeffe, Ph.D.
Undergraduate Advisor: Mandy Halloran
Graduate Advisor: Kaitlin Lindsey, MPA
Contact for Prospective Students: spedadvisor@utah.edu, 801-581-8121

Mission Statement

The Mission of the Department of Special Education is to contribute to the quality of life of people with disabilities and their families through inspirational teaching, innovative research, and community partnerships.

Overview

The Department of Special Education prepares qualified persons for teaching, scholarship, and leadership positions in educational settings and social agencies. The programs are interdisciplinary and emphasize the needs of individuals with disabilities and their families.

Types of Degrees

  • Bachelor of Science

  • Minor

  • Master of Education

  • Master of Science

  • Doctor of Philosophy

Undergraduate Program

The undergraduate program prepares future professionals to work effectively with young children and students with disabilities across early childhood and K–12 settings. Through a combination of rigorous coursework, applied learning, and individualized support, students gain the knowledge and skills necessary to meet diverse learner needs and to promote development, learning, and equity in their communities.

Academic Experience

Students engage in an academic experience that integrates:

  • Research-based coursework in child development, learning theory, assessment, and evidence-based instructional practices.

  • Extensive fieldwork and clinical experiences in early childhood programs, public schools, and community agencies allow students to apply their learning in real-world educational environments.

  • Community engagement opportunities, including partnerships with local schools and service organizations.

  • Professional preparation experiences, such as internships, supervised practica, and collaboration with licensed educators and specialists.

These experiences prepare graduates to support individuals with disabilities and their families.

Fieldwork and Clinical Experiences

Field experiences are integrated throughout the program to connect theory with practice.

  • Settings: Early childhood programs, public schools (inclusive and specialized classrooms), and community agencies.

  • Scope: Progressive experiences that build from observation and small‑group instruction to full‑classroom responsibilities during student teaching.

  • Placement: Coordinated by the department in collaboration with partner sites; placements meet licensure and program standards.

  • Expectations: Professional conduct, adherence to site policies, and satisfactory evaluations from university supervisors and mentor educators.

(Students should anticipate weekly time commitments during practicum terms and full-time engagement during student teaching.)

Advising and Student Support

Students receive structured advising throughout the program:

  • Initial advising supports students as they complete general education and prerequisite coursework and explore professional pathways.

  • Major advising and program progression support guide students through the application process, sequencing of professional coursework, and preparation for practicum and student teaching.

  • Faculty mentorship and cohort-based learning foster academic success, professional identity development, and a strong learning community.

  • Licensure support is provided to ensure students meet requirements for state credentialing.

(With this integrated advising model, students progress through foundational coursework into specialized methods courses, culminating in supervised clinical placements.)

Degree Sequence

The program follows a developmental sequence that integrates coursework and applied learning:

  1. Foundations: Child development, learning theory, diversity and equity, and introduction to assessment and instructional design.

  2. Methods and Application: Evidence-based practices in literacy, mathematics, social-emotional/behavior supports, and collaborative practices; structured practicum experiences.

  3. Clinical Practice: Supervised placements culminating in full-time student teaching, with seminar support focused on planning, instruction, assessment, and professional responsibilities.

  4. Culminating Requirements: Performance assessments and licensure documentation as required by the state.

Undergraduate Teacher Licensure Pathways (emphases)

Undergraduate students enter the University of Utah, declared in the Bachelor of Science program without emphasis. During their academic progression, students are required to declare their emphasis (see the Admission to the Major and Progression Requirements section).

Undergraduate Licensure programs are available in:

  • Mild to Moderate Support Needs

  • Extensive Support Needs

  • Early Childhood Special Education and Early Intervention credential from the Utah Department of Health

  • Deaf and Hard of Hearing

  • Visual Impairments

Admission to the Major and Progression Requirements

Admission and progression requirements are designed to support timely completion and readiness for clinical placements.

Pre-specialization (emphasis) Declaration

  • Completion of University General Education and designated prerequisite courses.

  • Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.

  • Early advising appointment to establish an academic plan.

Admission to the Major / Professional Sequence / Student teaching Cohort Year

  • Successful completion of prerequisite coursework with required minimum grades.

  • Background check and clearance for school placements (per state and district policy).

  • Application to the professional sequence by posted deadlines.

Program Progression

  • Minimum grade standards in all professional coursework.

  • Satisfactory performance in field/clinical evaluations.

  • Maintenance of good academic standing as defined by the department and college.

(For current GPA thresholds, prerequisites, and deadlines, refer to program webpages and advising materials - https://special-ed.utah.edu/undergraduate/index.php).

Degree Requirements and Licensure

Students must complete at least 120 semester credit hours to earn the Bachelor of Science degree. Successful completion of all program requirements results in a recommendation for professional licensure by the Utah State Board of Education. When applicable, students may also earn an Early Intervention credential issued by the Utah Department of Health.

Accreditation and Standards Alignment

The undergraduate program is fully accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), ensuring that program quality, curriculum, clinical experiences, and continuous improvement processes meet rigorous national standards for educator preparation.

The program is also aligned with:

  • Utah State Board of Education (USBE) standards for educator preparation and licensure.

  • National professional standards, including the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) standards for serving young children and students with disabilities.

These accreditations and standards ensure that graduates are well‑prepared for professional practice and meet eligibility requirements for Utah educator licensure upon completion of all program requirements.

Graduate Programs

Graduate programs in Special Education at the University of Utah prepare professionals for advanced roles in teaching, research, leadership, and service with individuals with disabilities and their families. Programs emphasize interdisciplinary collaboration, evidence-based practices, and applied scholarly experiences that prepare students for impactful careers in schools, community agencies, higher education, and research settings.

Graduate Academic Experience

Graduate students engage in:

  • Advanced coursework in assessment, instructional methods, behavior support, leadership, research design, and disability studies.

  • Specialized research and inquiry, including opportunities to collaborate with faculty on funded research, program evaluation, and scholarly projects.

  • Field-based and clinical experiences aligned with licensure areas or graduate specialization pathways.

  • Interdisciplinary learning through coursework, research teams, and community partnerships.

  • Professional development opportunities, including seminars, conferences, and mentorship from faculty with nationally recognized expertise.

These experiences provide a strong foundation for practitioners, researchers, policy leaders, and future faculty.

Advising and Program Support

Graduate students benefit from a structured support model that includes:

  • Program advising to guide course sequencing, licensure planning, and degree progression.

  • Faculty mentorship for research development, practicum planning, and professional growth.

  • Supervisory committees for all master’s and doctoral students, formed in accordance with Graduate School policies, provide oversight of research, qualifying exams, and culminating coursework or projects.

This advising structure ensures students receive continuous academic, professional, and research support.

Admissions Summary

Admission to graduate programs in Special Education requires meeting the academic standards and application procedures established by the department and the University of Utah Graduate School. Applicants must submit a complete application through the University’s SLATE system, including transcripts, letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose, and any program‑specific materials.

Master’s Applicants
Applicants to M.Ed. or M.S. programs must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and meet departmental criteria for academic preparation and professional readiness. Some programs may require prerequisite coursework, interviews, or prior experience with individuals with disabilities.

Doctoral Applicants
Ph.D. applicants must demonstrate strong academic preparation, research potential, and relevant professional experience. Admission includes a faculty interview and review by the doctoral admissions committee.

Complete admissions requirements, deadlines, and application instructions are available at:

Program Specializations

Students may pursue graduate work with or without teacher licensure, with options including:

Graduate Teacher Licensure Pathways

For individuals with a bachelor’s degree seeking Utah educator licensure, students may:

  1. Complete licensure-only graduate coursework, or

  2. Complete licensure requirements within an M.Ed. or M.S. degree program.

Licensure programs are available in:

  • Mild to Moderate Support Needs

  • Extensive Support Needs

  • Early Childhood Special Education and Early Intervention credential from the Utah Department of Health

  • Deaf and Hard of Hearing

  • Visual Impairments

  • Deafblind

  • Elementary Education (M.Ed. only)

(See https://special-ed.utah.edu/graduate/index.php for program details.)

Accreditation and Standards Alignment

The graduate program is fully accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), ensuring that program quality, curriculum, clinical experiences, and continuous improvement processes meet rigorous national standards for educator preparation.

The program is also aligned with:

  • Utah State Board of Education (USBE) standards for educator preparation and licensure.

  • National professional standards, including the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) standards for serving young children and students with disabilities.

These accreditations and standards ensure that graduates are well‑prepared for professional practice and meet eligibility requirements for Utah educator licensure upon completion of all program requirements.

Master’s Degrees Without Licensure

Students seeking a graduate degree without teacher licensure may pursue:

  • M.Ed. or M.S. in Special Education – Interdisciplinary program

  • M.Ed. or M.S. with Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) track

  • M.Ed. or M.S. with Adaptive Physical Education (APE) track

(See https://special-ed.utah.edu/graduate/index.php for program details.)

Degree Requirements

All graduate students must:

Master of Education (M.Ed.)
The M.Ed. is a professional degree focused on advanced practice. Requirements include:

  • Coursework in professional development, leadership, and program evaluation

Master of Science (M.S.)
The M.S. is a research-oriented academic degree. Requirements include:

  • Coursework in research methods and statistics

  • A written thesis and committee-supervised research

Doctoral Program (Ph.D.)
The Ph.D. in Special Education is a research-intensive, interdisciplinary program designed to prepare leaders in higher education, research organizations, and policy settings. Students engage in advanced research apprenticeships, interdisciplinary coursework, teaching experiences, and leadership development.

For detailed admissions information, including prerequisite experiences and interview requirements (see https://special-ed.utah.edu/graduate/phd/phd-admissions.php).

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