Early Childhood Education and Special Education (Composite)

This degree is a combination of courses required for the early childhood 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 early childhood education, teaching grades K-3. While there is no licensure requirement to teach preschool, students with this degree are better prepared to teach in those settings. Students gain content knowledge through the early childhood education program and learn strategies for teaching diverse learners through the special education program.

This degree expands students' career options by allowing them to work with children with special needs (from birth through 5 years) and students in kindergarten through third grade. Most public schools teachers will also have special needs students in their classrooms, and this degree makes them more qualified to meet the unique educational needs of these students. Some states even require special education teachers to have an early childhood, elementary, or secondary education background. Additionally, USUs special education program boasts 100% job placement for its students upon graduation.

USU's Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services is ranked 10th in the nation among colleges of education in external research dollars.

Students receive a BS by completing all required courses in the major. To receive a BA, students must also gain proficiency in one or more foreign languages.

Emphases:

• Birth to Age 5 Special Education: The early childhood special education emphasis prepares graduates to work with children ages birth to five years old who have disabilities. Children ages birth to 3 years old are typically served by early intervention programs. Children 3 to 5 years old are taught in public pre-school settings within local school districts.

Bachelor Degree Minimum Requirements

Admission to USU is test optional for Spring 2022, Summer 2022, and Fall 2022. ACT/SAT test scores will still be considered if submitted.

• 2.8-4.0 GPA - Admitted in Good Standing
  • Students with less than a 2.8 high school GPA may still be admitted in good standing based upon the combination of their GPA and ACT/SAT score. See if you qualify.
• 2.79 GPA & below - Considered for Earned Admission path.

Associate Degree Minimum Requirements

Most USU Eastern and USU Blanding Associates Degrees and Certificates are open enrollment and do not require a minimum high school GPA or ACT/SAT score.

Recommended High School Prep Work

• 4 years of English
• 4 years of Math (One class beyond math 3)
• 3.5 years of Social Science
• 3 years of Lab-Based Science (one each: biology, chemistry, and physics)
• 2 years of a world language (same language, taken progressively during grades 9-12)

With a degree in early childhood education and special education composite, students may pursue careers in the following areas:

• Public schools
• Day care
• Head Start
• Home Start
• Hospitals
• Adoption agencies
• Church services
• Foster care
• Parent education programs
• Host of related state, local, and federal agencies serving families and their children
• Public or private school educator
• Adult service provider
• Recreation specialist
• Behavior specialist
• Developmental specialist
• Early intervention provider

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