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Department of Special Education

College Of Education

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Distance Education Programs in Special Education

Distance Education students who have previously earned a degree (minimum level of bachelor's degree) and who are interested in obtaining a Utah teaching license/endorsement-only, second license/endorsement-only, or licensure with a Master's Degree have the options below.

 

Kaitlin Lindsey

Academic Advisor
k.lindsey@utah.edu
801-581-4764

Shamby Polychronis

Program Coordinator
shamby.polychronis@utah.edu

801-581-8034

Select your Area of Specialization

Mild/Moderate Disabilities

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.

License Only

Masters

Contact

Breda O’Keeffe

801-585-1817

breda.okeeffe@utah.edu

Preschool & Early Intervention

The Preschool Special Education/Early Intervention program prepares graduates to work with infants, toddlers, and preschool children with developmental delays, disabilities and their families. Family-centered early intervention services (birth-three) are primarily provided in family homes.

License Only

Masters

Contact

Susan Johnston

801-581-5187

susan.johnston@utah.edu

Severe Disabilities

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.

License Only

Masters

Contact

Shamby Polychronis

801-581-8034

shamby.polychronis@utah.edu

Visual Impairments

Preparing teacher candidates to work with children/students who are blind and visually impaired. The VI specialization provides 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.

License Only

Masters

Contact

Chris Bischke

801-585-3925

chris.bischke@utah.edu

Deaf & Hard of Hearing

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.

License Only

Masters

Contact

Nicole Pilling

801-585-3925

nicole.pilling@utah.edu

Deafblind

Preparing candidates to serve children and youth who have combined hearing and vision impairments. When combined with another 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 children including deafblind.

License Only

Masters

Contact

Sarah Ivy

801-213-8555

sarah.ivy@utah.edu

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.

 Summer or Fall Admission

Deadline: January 10*, February 1st*, March 1st*, or April 1st*

Fall Admission

Deadline: May 1st* or July 1st*

Spring Admission

Deadline: October 1st* or November 1st*

*NOTE: If the deadline falls on a Saturday, applications are due the following Monday.

Check with program contact person for current funding opportunities

View Distance Education Policy

Last Updated: 6/20/24