Distance Education Programs in Special Education
Distance Education students who have previously earned a degree (minimum level of bachelor degree) who are interested in obtaining a Utah teaching license/endorsement-only, second license/endorsement-only, or licensure with Master Degree have the following options:
Graduates will be prepared to work with students who have high-incidence disabilities, such as learning disabilities (e.g., reading, writing, math), mild/moderate intellectual disabilities, behavioral and emotional disabilities, and communication disorders.
Contact Breda O’Keeffe at 801-585-1817 or breda.okeeffe@utah.edu for information
The Preschool Special Education/Early Intervention program prepares graduates to work with infants, toddlers, and preschool children with developmental delays and disabilities and their families. Family-centered early intervention services (birth-three) are primarily provided in family homes.
Contact Sondra Stegenga at 801-581-3318 or sondra.stegenga@utah.edu for information
The Severe Disabilities program prepares candidates to become leaders within their school communities by working with students with severe (low incidence) disabilities in grades K–12 and adults up to age 22. The emphasis area in Severe Disabilities prepares teachers to serve students who are in need of systematic and individualized instruction.
Contact Ryan Walker at 801-587-9075 or walker.ryan@utah.edu for information
This program specialization prepares teacher candidates to work with children/students
who are blind and visually impaired. The VI specialization provides a range of coursework
that includes instruction in: the Unified English Braille code, Assistive Technology
for Students with Visual Impairments and the Expanded Core Curriculum for students
who are blind or visually impaired to provide candidates with a knowledge base to
support their students in the development of social skills, pre-academic and academic
success.
Contact Chris Bischke at 801-585-3925 or chris.bischke@utah.edu for information
This program specialization prepares teacher candidates to work with children/students who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing. The DHH specialization provides a range of comprehensive coursework that includes spoken language through audition, visual communication approaches and American Sign Language, towards language and literacy development, the development of cognition, social skills, and pre-academic and academic success.
Contact Nicole Pilling at 801-585-3925 or nicole.pilling@utah.edu for information
The Deafblind program prepares candidates to serve children and youth who have combined
hearing and vision impairments. When combined with another special education license
(Visual Impairments, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Severe Disabilities, Mild/Moderate
Disabilities, Early Childhood Special Education), the program leads to an endorsement
in Deafblindness in Utah. Teachers with the endorsement may serve as itinerant deafblind
consultants or as classroom teachers serving a variety of children including those
who are deafblind.
Contact Sarah Ivy at 801-213-8555 or sarah.ivy@utah.edu for information
Program Admissions*
*Due to funding opportunities that might fall outside of the regular admissions cycles, special admissions are sometimes held. Check with the program contact person for current information.
*NOTE: If the deadline falls on a Saturday, applications are due the following Monday.
Check with program contact person for current funding opportunities
Qualifications for Distance Education/Interactive Video Conferencing