Program Overview

Elementary Education and Special Education (Composite) - BS, BA

The Emma Eccles Jones College of Education & Human Services offers a composite degree in Elementary Education and Special Education. This degree provides students with the opportunity to have more flexibility in their careers, as having both licenses allows teachers to move back and forth between special education and elementary education.

About This Degree

Most public school teachers will have special needs students in their classrooms, and this composite degree makes them more qualified to meet the unique educational needs of these students. Some states even require special education teachers to have an elementary or secondary education background. Additionally, USU's special education program boasts 100% job placement for its students upon graduation.

What You Will Learn

This degree is a combination of courses required for the elementary education major and the special education major. Students who complete this composite degree are eligible for two licenses, one for special education and one for elementary education, teaching grades 1-8. Students gain content knowledge through the elementary education program and learn strategies for teaching diverse learners through the special education program.

Emphases

Students must choose an emphasis in one of the following areas:

• Birth to Age 5 Special Education: This emphasis prepares graduates to work with students who have high-incidence disabilities, such as learning disabilities, mild/moderate intellectual disabilities, behavior and emotional disorders, or communication disorders.
• Mild/Moderate Disabilities: This emphasis prepares graduates to work with students who have low-incidence disabilities, such as intellectual disabilities, physical disabilities, autism spectrum disorder, traumatic and acquired brain injury, and multiple disabilities.
• Severe Disabilities: This emphasis prepares graduates to work with children ages birth to five years who have disabilities.

At a Glance

• College: Emma Eccles Jones College of Education & Human Services
• Department: School of Teacher Education and Leadership, Special Education and Rehabilitation Counseling Department
• USU Locations: Logan campus

Program Requirements

• Elementary Education/Special Education: Birth to 5 Emphasis Composite - BA, BS
• Elementary Education and Special Education Composite - Mild/Moderate Disabilities Emphasis - BA
• Elementary Education/Special Education: Severe Emphasis Composite - BA, BS

Career and Outcomes

Career Opportunities

With a degree in elementary education and special education (composite), students may pursue the following careers:

• Classroom teacher for grades 1-6
• Public or private school educator
• Adult service provider
• Recreation specialist
• Behavior specialist
• Developmental specialist
• Early intervention provider

Job Outlook

The Career and Design Center provides counseling and information on hundreds of job and internship opportunities and even helps students apply and interview.

Admission

Admission Requirements

In addition to Utah State University's admissions requirements, the elementary education and special education (composite) program has additional requirements:

• First-Year students: First-Year students admitted to USU in good standing qualify for admission as pre-majors.
• Transfer students: Transfer students from other institutions or from other USU majors will be admitted as pre-majors in good standing, with a GPA of at least 2.75.
• In order to become an elementary education and special education (composite) major, students must be accepted into the teacher education program and the special education program, which includes the following:
  • Complete certain core courses
  • Pass a criminal background check

International students have additional admissions requirements.

Related Programs

• Early Childhood Education: Start working with children your first year and obtain more than 600 hours working in different practicum scenarios to become a qualified teacher of young children and graduate prepared to teach preschool and/or grades K-3. (BS, BA)
• Early Childhood Education and Special Education (Composite): Become an expert in early education and more marketable as a teacher by qualifying to teach children — including those with special needs — from kindergarten through third grade with this degree that lets you graduate with two licenses. (BS, BA)
• Elementary Education: From learning the latest best practices for instruction and classroom management to gaining more than 400 hours of experience in the classroom, this nationally ranked degree prepares you to teach youth up to sixth grade in Utah. (BS, BA)
• Secondary Education: Leverage your first degree's area of study when you return to college to earn a second bachelor's preparing you to teach middle or high school in a subject you've already explored, complete with hands-on teaching practice. (2nd BS, 2nd BA)