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.