About the Department

The Secondary and Special Education department provides degrees for students to pursue teaching professions in secondary education and special education.

Female teacher sitting with a student

Faculty and Staff

The faculty and staff of UVU’s Secondary and Special Education department are here to help you succeed as an elementary educator. Backed with years of research, passion, and expertise, the Elementary Education professors offer an unparalleled educational experience.

Learn more about your future faculty!

 

Faculyt/Staff meeting with students
Faculty and Staff in a classroom

Have a passion? Follow it here!

A degree from UVU’s Secondary and Special Education department allows graduates to pursue their specific interests while passing those interests to the rising generation. Whether that’s biology, history, art, math, or another subject – the choice is yours!

The Secondary and Special Education Department also offers degrees in special education that prepares its graduates to educate students with special needs and intellectual disabilities.

Ready to apply?

Student Testimonials

Portrait of Amberly Nielsen

UVU’s School of Education provided me with the opportunity to pursue my special education degree which certified me to work in a variety of school settings and with different students. I love that I was able to develop personal relationships with Professors like, Dr. Odongo and Professor Burton, and value the mentoring and education they provided to me and my peers. I was provided with practical experiences every semester in local school districts to actively apply teaching principles I was taught and learn from working individuals in the field of education. I would recommend UVU”s School of Education’s unique special education degree because it has allowed me to achieve my personal teaching philosophy, network with local school districts, and fulfill my dream of working with students with disabilities.

Amberly Nielsen
Senior, Special Education

Portrait of Kenzie Jones

I love the Secondary Education program at UVU. I have found my place because of the welcoming and supportive environment. The faculty and staff's number one priority is student success, and it shows. In the School of Education we get amble in-classroom experience, which makes me feel prepared to enter the work field. I chose UVU because of the School of Education, and I will forever be grateful to be a wolverine. I love being apart of the UVU School of Education!

Kenzie Jones
Junior, Math Education

Special Education Degree

Special Education, B.S.

people talking in a circle

The Professional Special Education Teacher Education Program at Utah Valley University is designed to prepare quality, entry-level candidates for teaching students with mild to moderate and severe disabilities in special education programs grades K-12. Students successfully completing the Teacher Education Program graduation and licensure requirements will receive a BS in Special Education and a Level I Utah Professional Teaching License. They will also receive endorsements to teach both mild/moderate and severe as well as a minor in Autism Studies. To continue in the Teacher Education Program, students are expected in all coursework, to maintain all program standards. They must maintain expected levels of competence in fieldwork and student teaching placements with all course grades at or above a B- and a program GPA of 3.00 or higher. In addition, teacher candidates are expected to adhere to standards of personal integrity, responsibility, and citizenship commonly expected of professional educators.

Program Learning Outcomes

Secondary Education Degrees

Secondary Education, Licensure

Elementary classroom of children looking at the teacher

The Professional Teacher Education Program at Utah Valley University is designed to prepare quality, entry level candidates for teaching in secondary education programs grades 7-12. All students who matriculate into the professional licensure program must have a major in an approved content area. Students seeking licensure in approved content areas complete a major in that area and required coursework in Secondary Education to qualify for a Level I Utah State Professional Educator License for grades 7-12. To continue in the teacher education program, students are expected to maintain all program standards. They must maintain expected levels of competence in all coursework, field work, and student teaching with all course grades at or above a B- or higher. Additionally, teacher candidates are expected to adhere to standards of personal integrity, responsibility, and citizenship commonly expected of professional educators.

Secondary Licensure Degrees

  • Art and Visual Comms Education
  • ASL and Deaf Studies Education
  • Biology Education
  • Business/Marketing Education
  • Chemistry Education
  • Computer Science Education
  • Dance Education
  • Earth Science Education
  • English Education
  • French Education
  • Health Education
  • History - Social Studies Education
  • Math Education
  • Music Education
  • P.E. Teacher Education
  • Physics Education
  • Spanish Science Education
  • Theater Education

Program Learning Outcomes

PETE - Physical Education Teacher Education

Elementary kids participating in physical activity

Graduates from the Physical Education K-12 Teacher Education (PETE) program will be prepared to meet all standards for Utah licensure for K-12 Physical Education. They should also be prepared to meet most standards for certification in the rest of the 49 states, since the National Initial Physical Education Teacher Education Standards have been used to develop, assess, and update the program on an annual basis. The focus of this program is on enhancing student outcomes – both for university students and for their future students. Outcomes that should be met by the end of the program include scientific and theoretical knowledge, skill and fitness based competency, planning and implementation, instructional delivery and management, impact on student learning, and professionalism. PETE majors learn to individualize instruction to enhance learning for all students, regardless of their abilities.

Autism Studies

Autism Studies, Minor

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The Minor in Autism Studies will be beneficial to anyone needing to work with, or interact with, those who have an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). This would include those in supervisory positions overseeing ASD adults, educators who may have students with an ASD diagnosis in their classrooms, counselors and medical professionals, emergency services personnel, information and insight.

Program Coursework

Program Learning Outcomes

Autism Studies, Certificate

Child stacking block

The Autism Studies Certificate of Proficiency will be beneficial to anyone needing to work with, or interact with, those who have Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). This would include those in supervisory positions overseeing ASD adults, educators who may have students with an ASD diagnosis in their classrooms, counselors and medical professionals, emergency services personnel, librarians and other city personnel, and anyone seeking additional information and insight.

Program Coursework

Program Learning Outcomes

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