2020-2021 Catalog 
    
    Nov 23, 2024  
2020-2021 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Special Education Licensure Programs (SELP)


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The Special Education Licensure Program (SELP) provides professional preparation for undergraduate and graduate students as special education teachers. The program features exemplary teaching, scholarship and community service for the purpose of increasing the quality of life for individuals with disabilities.

The Special Education Program offers courses leading to licensure or additional endorsement in special education. A non-licensure option is also available. 

Faculty

  • Christi Kasa, Ph.D., Associate Professor
  • Scott Kupferman, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Program Coordinator
  • Kathleen Randolph, Ph.D., Assistant Professor

Application and Admission

Visit our website for requirements.

Graduate Initial License in Special Education With or Without MA


In this program students will complete the requirements to be recommended for the initial license as Special Education Generalist.

Students in the Special Education Initial Licensure Program are provided the experiences and academic support to learn how to meet the needs of all students with disabilities in the general  and special education classroom. Students will be taught to focus on student strengths in order to support academic and social progress in inclusive environments. Coursework and practicum placements will be linked by assignments. These carefully planned assignments will allow students to practice their skills and develop techniques and materials that will lead to their successful development as teachers.

The initial licensure is a cohort model program that begins each fall. The program requires students to take each class in the semester as indicated on the initial licensure program planning form. Students must commit to completing these courses in sequence.

Students have the option of taking one course in the summer (SPED 5001) as unclassified students before they start the program.

The initial licensure program requires a significant amount of time spent working in the field. Applicants who anticipate problems in completing the 800 clock hour field experience courses of the program (one day a week practicum in the summer semester, and student teaching) should speak with a faculty member immediately in order to discuss their individual situation.

Applications and Admissions Requirements

Please visit our website for admissions information.

Exam Requirements

In order to receive an initial license or added endorsement students will need to complete the following exam(s):

• PRAXIS II Special Education Generalist #5354: Students must take this exam prior to student teaching or December 15th of the Professional Year - Teacher Candidates will NOT be allowed to student teach unless they have passed this exam.

• PRAXIS II Elementary Education: Multiple Subjects #5001: A minimum of 2 out of 4 subtests (reading, math, social studies, science) must be passed prior to student teaching or December 15th of the Professional Year - Teacher Candidates will NOT be allowed to student teach unless they have passed a minimum of 2 out of 4 subtests.

When registering to take the Praxis exam(s), students need to send their scores to UCCS (4874) and Colorado Department of Education (7040).

For more information, students should visit: www.ets.org/praxis

Students should take the exam(s) no later than the Fall semester before student teaching.

Course Requirements


First Year Courses - 24 Credit Hours


     Fall (9 credit hours)

     Spring (9 credit hours)

     Summer (6 credit hours)

*SPED 3001 Introduction to Special Education  OR  SPED 5001 Introduction to Special Education  can be taken in the summer prior to beginning the program. Students would take this as an unclassified student. 

Second Year Courses - 18 Credit Hours


     Fall (9 credit hours)

     Spring (9 credit hours)

Total Hours for Initial Licensure:  42

Additional Courses for Master’s Degree - 9 Credit Hours


Students wishing to receive a Master’s degree will need to take three additional courses listed below. These courses can be taken at the same time as licensure courses or after the completion of the license. Courses must be taken in the order listed below. LEAD 5700 and SPED 5091 may be taken concurrently.  LEAD 5700 must be taken before LEAD 7000.

Special Education Generalist Added Endorsement with or without MA


In this program students will complete the requirements to be recommended for the added endorsement as Special Education Generalist. The added endorsement is available to students who hold a valid Colorado teaching license in another discipline.

Students in the Special Education Added Endorsement program are provided the experiences and academic support to learn how to meet the needs of all students with disabilities in the general education classroom. Students will be taught to focus on student strengths in order to support academic and social progress in inclusive environments. Coursework and practicum placements will be linked by assignments. These carefully planned assignments will allow students to practice their skills and develop techniques and materials that will lead to their successful development as teachers.

The Added Endorsement program is a cohort model program that begins each fall. The program requires students to take each class in the semester as indicated on the Added Endorsement program planning form. Students must commit to completing these courses in sequence.

Students have the option of taking SPED 5001 in the summer as unclassified students before they start the program.

The Added Endorsement program requires students to participate in one field experience. Students can choose to complete this experience in the spring or summer semesters.

Graduate Added Endorsement Planning Form

Applications and Admissions Requirements

Please visit our website for admissions information.

First Year Courses - 21 Credit Hours


Fall (6 credit hours)

Spring (9 credit hours)

Summer (6 credit hours)

*SPED 3001/5001 can be taken in the summer prior to beginning the program. Students would take this as an unclassified student. 

** Added endorsement students may choose either SPED 5030 or SPED 5025. Added endorsement students who are working as classroom teachers and are supporting students with disabilities in inclusive environments may have the option of performing SPED 5030 in their own classroom.

Additional Courses for Master’s Degree - 9 credit hours


Students wishing to receive a Masters Degree will need to take three additional courses listed below. These courses can be taken at the same time as licensure courses or after the completion of the license. Courses must be taken in the order listed below. LEAD 5700 and SPED 5091 may be taken concurrently. LEAD 5700 must be taken prior to CURR 5090. 

Second Year Courses - 6 Credit Hours


Fall (6 credit hours)

Undergraduate Initial Licensure in Special Education


The College of Education and the College of Letters, Arts & Sciences (LAS) jointly offer the undergraduate special education licensure program. The LAS content area with licensure in special education requires approximately 124 semester hours of coursework. This degree combines a liberal arts education with a content focus and a comprehensive special education teacher licensure program. Students in the undergraduate SELP will receive a BA in one of the following five major:

  • English
  • Biology
  • Geography
  • Spanish
  • History

Acceptance into the SELP requires a minimum of a 2.5 GPA, acceptance into the College of Letters of Arts & Sciences, and successful completion of the SELP application process.

Application and Admissions Requirements

Please visit our website for admissions information. 

Course Requirements


First Year Courses - 24 Credit Hours


     Fall (9 credit hours)

     Spring (9 credit hours)

     Summer (6 credit hours)

*SPED 3001 can be taken in the summer prior to beginning the program. Students would take this as an unclassified student.  

Second Year Courses - 18 Credit Hours


     Fall (9 credit hours) 

     Spring (9 credit hours)

 Total Hours for Initial Licensure:  42 Hours

Curriculum Planning Form


Print or view Undergraduate Initial Licensure Curriculum Planning Form.

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