Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Who is my advisor?
    Darcie Peterson is the on-campus undergraduate advisor. She is located in the Emma Eccles Jones Education Building in room 371. You may contact her at darcie.peterson@usu.edu or (435) 797-3252.
  2. Why am I a pre-SPED major?
    All students interested in SPED are admitted to USU as a pre-special education major. Students apply to the major typically during the fall of their sophomore year. If admitted, students are admitted both to special education and teacher education programs.
  3. How do I apply to the major?
    The online application can be found on the special education webpage.
  4. What are the requirements to be admitted to the major?
    Students must complete specific courses and pass a series of tests. At the time of application, students must also apply for a background check. Click here for the admissions checklist.
  5. When is the deadline for applications to the special education major?
    Applications are available online beginning each year on July 1. The applications are due by October 1. Students will be notified if they are accepted by November 1. They begin the SPED major classes during the following spring semester by taking the professional education courses (ELED 3000, SPED 4000, SPED 5530, PSY 3660, and for Early Childhood Majors FCHD 2600 and 2630).
  6. When are the SPED courses offered?
    Students must be admitted to the SPED major to take the professional education courses and the special education courses. Students are admitted as a cohort and take the courses together as a group. They apply by October 1. If admitted, they take the professional education courses the following spring semester. During the next academic year, students complete the special education coursework. Special education courses are only offered once per year and must be taken in sequence.
  7. How many semesters does it take to complete the special education program?
    It takes four semesters. Students apply by October 1, if admitted they take the professional education courses during spring, complete two semesters of special education coursework during the next year, and then complete one semester of student teaching.
  8. What is the required GPA to be admitted to the Special Education Program?
    2.75
  9. How long will it take me to graduate?
    Most students graduate within four years. It is important for students to meet with their advisor to plan out their program semester by semester.
  10. How difficult is it to get into the special education major?
    Most students who meet the minimum requirements get into the special education program.
  11. I am a transfer student. How easily will my credits transfer?
    USU has worked with other Utah schools as well as schools in the surrounding area to make this process as simple as possible. Please contact the special education advisor at USU as soon as you are thinking of transferring. She will work with you to make the transition as easy as possible. If students send her an unofficial transcript, the semester they are planning on moving to USU, and the program they are interested in completing, the SPED advisor will work out a graduation plan for them.
  12. What prerequisites do I need to complete before I can apply to the SPED major?
    Check out the admissions checklist. Students must complete ENGL 1010 with a grade of C+ or higher, STAT 1040 with a grade of C or higher, Breadth American Institutions with a grade of C or higher, Breadth Life Science with a grade of C or higher, PHYS 1200 with a grade of C or higher and FCHD 1500 with a grade of C or higher. They must pass the Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services Writing Test, USU's CIL tests, and the SPED Math Test. They must also complete a speech and hearing screening. A minimum GPA of 2.75 on 40 attempted hours is also required.
  13. How much longer will it take for me to combine a major with elementary education or secondary education?
    If students meet with an advisor and plan ahead, most students can complete the combined program within four years.
  14. Will I need a car?
    Students typically do not need a car until they are student teaching. Logan has a free bus system.
  15. What is the difference between the different emphasis areas in special education?
    The mild/moderate degree prepares teachers to work with students (kindergarten through twelfth grade) with high incidence disabilities such as learning disabilities, mild/moderate behavior and emotional disorders, mild/moderate mental retardation and communication disorders. Teachers usually work in a resource room setting. Mild/moderate teachers typically teach academic skills.
    The severe degree prepares teachers to work with students (kindergarten through twelfth grade) with low incidence intellectual and physical disabilities such as severe mental retardation, autism, traumatic and acquired brain injury, and multiple disabilities. Severe teachers typically teach functional and life skills.
    The Early Childhood Degree prepares teaches to work with young children with disabilities (birth to age 5). For children birth to 3 years, the early childhood teacher typically works in early intervention programs. For children 3-5 years old, the early childhood teacher teaches in public preschool settings in local school districts.
  16. How demanding is the special education program?
    The field of special education is demanding. Our special education courses are demanding in order to prepare the best special education teachers who can meet the demands of the field. The special education program at Utah State University has been ranked in the top 20 special education programs in the United States by US News and World Report for the last several years.
  17. Are there scholarships available?
    There are a lot of scholarships available in special education. There are USU scholarships, state scholarships, federal loan forgiveness, TEACH grants, and departmental scholarships. Check out the scholarships links on the SPED Bachelor's Degree web page.
  18. How much practical experience will I receive in the classroom?
    Each semester that you are in the special education program, you will have a practicum placement. You will be teaching a group of students and applying what you have learned in your coursework. Students comment frequently that this is their favorite part of the program. As a freshman and sophomore there are also opporunities to work in the classroom. Talk to the special education advisor about these opportunities.
  19. How approachable are the professors?
    The professors have an open door policy. When they are in the office, their door is open and they welcome students to come and ask questions.
  20. Do you have to have a lot of experience with people with disabilities to get accepted into the special education major?
    No. Experience can help you decide if this is the right field for you, but it is not required. Many students take SPED 4910 to gain classroom experience before applying to the progam.