Combined Special Education/ESL Undergraduate Program

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• Introduction
• Mission Statement
• Description of Mild/Moderate Disabilities
• Honor Code
• Admission Information
• Program Requirements
• Financial Information
• FAQs
• Faculty Information
• University Information
• Contact Information

Introduction

Currently there is an urgent need for special education teachers who have skills in working with students who are learning English as a second language and students who are ethnically diverse. To prepare teachers to meet this specialized need, the Department of Counseling Psychology and Special Education in the David O. McKay School of Education is offering an undergraduate bachelor's degree program combining special education with English as a second language instruction.

Coursework is completed on the BYU campus and in participating local school districts. Successful completion of the program leads to professional licensure in special education.

The program focuses on preparing competent and moral educators who understand and respond to the needs of diverse students with disabilities and their families, with an emphasis on problem solving in collaborative relationships with education professionals and paraprofessionals.

The curriculum is both theory and practice based. Special education courses in this major emphasize ways to assess students; plan instruction using appropriate curriculum; use appropriate behavior management strategies; and engage in collaborative problem solving with school and family systems. Knowledge is gained and skills developed via coursework and hands-on practicum experiences. The program is rounded out with elective courses, allowing the flexibility to meet the individual interests of each student. This program is available to students interested in mild/moderate disabilities only.

For more information on this program and examples of syllabi, follow this link to the Learning Outcomes Website: https://learningoutcomes.byu.edu/wiki/index.php/Counseling_Psychology_and_Special_Education

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Mission Statement

We maximize the potential of diverse learners with individualized educational needs to elevate their quality of life.  We accomplish this by supporting the mission and aims of a BYU education as we integrate teaching, research, and service. 

• We prepare competent and moral educators who select, implement, and evaluate research-based effective teaching practices and appropriate curriculum for learners with special needs.
• We prepare master special educators who will provide collaborative leadership to foster the moral development and improve learning and social competence of exceptional children with challenging behaviors.
• We add to the knowledge base of special education and related disciplines through research.
• We serve and advocate for learners with individualized educational needs and others who support them.

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Description of the Mild/Moderate Disabilities Licensure Program

Successful completion of all coursework, practica, and student teaching/internship leads to professional licensure in special education from the State of Utah. This teaching license, which permits holders to teach students with disabilities aged 5-22, is transferable to states with which the Utah State Office of Education has reciprocity agreements.

Licensure for mild/moderate disabilities prepares candidates to teach students who have learning or behavioral difficulties which impede normal or expected academic achievement.  Most mild/moderate students have learning disabilities, communication disorders, or emotional and behavioral disorders.  Some  may have intellectual disabilities, high-functioning autism, or effects of traumatic brain injury.

Students with mild/moderate disabilities generally spend all or part of their time in general classroom settings, but may also receive special education for part of the day in resource rooms or in self-contained classrooms within the school.  Elementary special education teachers work primarily with beginning or remedial skills in reading, written language, math, and social behaviors.  Secondary teachers address these skills in addition to preparing students to transition to vocations or to post-secondary education.  

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General Honor Code Statement

Brigham Young University exists to provide a university education in an atmosphere consistent with the ideals and principles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. That atmosphere is created and preserved through commitment to conduct that reflects those ideals and principles.

As a matter of personal commitment, students, staff, and faculty of Brigham Young University are expected to demonstrate in daily living on and off campus those moral virtues encompassed in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and will

•   be honest;
•   obey the law and all campus policies;
•   live a chaste and virtuous life;
•   use clean language;
•   respect others;
•   abstain from alcoholic beverages, tobacco, tea, coffee, and substance abuse;
•   observe the BYU Dress and Grooming Standards;
•   participate regularly in church services;
•   support others in their commitment to comply with the BYU Honor Code.

Specific policies embodied in the Honor Code include Academic Honesty, Dress and Grooming Standards, Residential Living Standards, and Continuing Student Ecclesiastical Endorsement.

In addition, BYU does not allow unlawful discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, veteran status, or disability. Assistance and grievance procedures are outlined in the Undergraduate Catalog (see BYU 2003-2004 Undergraduate Catalog, p. 22 or Undergraduate Studies Catalog at http://ar.byu.edu/catalog/ugrad_catalog.html ).

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Admission Requirements

This program is available to students interested in mild/moderate disabilities.

Prerequisites

Prior to applying to the program, students must complete

• CPSE 400 (Exceptional Students)  and
• 20 hours of volunteer work in a mild/moderate setting.

Preferences

Preference will be given to applicants with

• 60 or more general education credit hours,
• experience working with individuals with disabilities (Special Education Exploratory Experience),
• commitment to the profession of special education,
• a declared Pre-Special Education major.

Acceptance

Each applicant may apply twice.

Timing of Courses

Students who are accepted must enter the program the semester to which they applied. Those who are planning on serving a mission at the time of application should apply for the first semester following their return.

Candidates must commit to taking all coursework in sequence as listed, including spring/summer terms. This is a “cohorted” program, in which each cohort of students takes all courses together in the outlined sequence. Deviation from this sequence is not permitted.

Dates of Admission

The program starts summer term of each year.
All admission forms are due by February 25th by 5:00 p.m.

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Program Requirements for the 2008 Cohort (students who began the program summer 2008)

Credit Hours: 68 semester hours

ESL Courses

The ESL certification consists of six 2-hour courses, one 3-hour course, and a practicum that can be completed at the same time and same place as the special education student teaching or internship. The ESL courses are as follows:

Course Sequence

The following tables display the order in which classes will be taken once a student has been admitted to the combined Special Education/ESL undergraduate program.  CPSE 400 (2 hrs) should have been taken prior to beginning the program.  Note that spring and summer terms are to be used for special education coursework only.  The final semester will consist of student teaching OR an internship (which continues through winter semester).

TESOL Minor

In order to receive your TESOL (K-12) minor along with this program, you must complete Ling 230. 

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Tuition Costs and Financial Aid

Tuition

Tuition is competitive with state universities of higher education in Utah and surrounding western states. Tuition is lower for members of the university-sponsoring LDS church than for those of other faiths. Write to the BYU Office of Admissions or see the BYU Web page (www.byu.edu) for exact tuition costs.

Financial Aid

CPSE Financial Aid

Financial assistance is available to students, with specifics depending on availability of funds and satisfactory progress in the program. Application forms and additional information are available at the CPSE department office.

Other Sources of Financial Aid

• Other BYU sources of financial aid are available to students through the Financial Aid Office, A-41 ASB, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602-1009, (801)422-4104, http://saas.byu.edu/depts/finaid/loans.aspx. 
• Utah residents who are full-time undergraduate day students can have up to 90% of their tuition forgiven.  For more information, follow this link:  http://saas.byu.edu/depts/finaid/bell.aspx. 
• The College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007 will provide a maximum of $5,400 annually to eligible students.  These Pell grants do not need to be repaid.  For more information, follow this link: http://edworkforce.house.gov/micro/ccraa.shtml

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FAQs

1.  Which classes should I register for?

     Refer to the section on the webpage under Program Requirements.

2.  Which sections am I supposed to take?

Undergraduate and post-baccalaureate students in the combined Special Education/ESL program should register for the sections designated for mild/moderate students.

3.  Do I qualify for a tuition stipend?

Post-baccalaureate teacher candidates may qualify for a BYU-Public School Partnership tuition stipend.  These stipends are provided to teacher candidates who provide a written commitment to work as a licensed special educator in one of the partnership districts: Jordan, Provo, Alpine, Wasatch, Nebo.  This stipend is not available to teacher candidates who plan to work in private, charter, or home schools.  See the special education secretary for an application.

Post-baccalaureate teacher candidates may qualify for a tuition stipend through the Utah State Office of Education.  The Public Education Job Enhancement Program provides eligible candidates with up to $10,000 in tuition/book stipends.  See http://www.schools.utah.gov/cert/PEJEP/default.htm for more information.  You may also contact the McKay School of Education student services director, Jay Oliver, at jay_oliver@byu.edu for assistance in obtaining these funds.  This tuition stipend requires a 4-year commitment to teaching in Utah's public schools as a special educator.

4.  How do I drop from the program?

Students who desire to withdraw from or defer the program need to pick up the Withdrawal/Deferral Form in 340 MCKB.

5.  Can I take courses on my own schedule?

          No.  All courses must be taken at the scheduled time for your cohort.

6.  Can I switch my emphasis?

If students would like to switch their emphasis, they must submit a letter to the program director requesting the change.

7.  Do I qualify for an internship?

          All undergraduate students in the program must meet all the standards and criteria for being an intern.

8.  What is my responsibility for returning tests?

Each student is responsible for making sure that all tests are returned and checked back in.  Students who leave tests sitting on a desk without turning them in to a secretary will be responsible if the test is misplaced.

9.  Can I make a course substitution?

Students may request to have some of their coursework from previous universities substituted for some of the BYU Special Education Program coursework.  This can be done by picking up a Course Substitution form from 340 MCKB and providing a course description, syllabus, and grade earned in the substituting course.  Courses are not approved if they do not have similar course objectives/competencies, were not passed, or are outdated.

10. How can I be sure I have all my paperwork completed?

Each student must complete an exit interview with the department secretary to go over any extra paperwork that might need to be completed.  Students are responsible for calling the secretary to set up a time that is convenient for them.  All exit interviews should be scheduled for a time shortly after students finish their student teaching/internship.

11.  Can I work during the program? Part-time? If I have a job, how long can I keep it?

Most students can hold a job and attend classes while in the program.  Undergraduates usually can manage well with a part-time job. Post-baccalaureate students who already have a full-time teaching job can continue in that role.  It is not required for students to have a job while in the program.

12.  What unexpected hidden costs might come up? (e.g. internship application)

Students are required to pay certain fees throughout the program.  A fee is charged to register for a placement file with our Education Placement office.  All students must pay a student teaching/internship fee in January following the beginning of their program.  All fees are subject to change at any time.

13.  How can I find out the due dates for career placement, LiveText, student teaching/internship applications, etc.

 All undergraduate and post-baccalaureate application deadlines are posted on our home page (see http://education.byu.edu/cpse/index.html).  Students are required to register for a placement file and for LiveText (our web-based assessment system) within the first couple of weeks of classes.  This usually occurs in conjunction with the mandatory orientation meeting.  Student teaching/internship applications are due at the end of January following the beginning of the student's program. 

14.  How can I be more involved?

 Our program offers many opportunities to be involved in the field of special education.  Several teacher candidates in the program are involved in Best Buddies, Student Council for Exceptional children, Adaptive Aquatics, Friday's Kids Respite, and other disability-related service organizations.  More information will be provided once students are functioning in the program.  Volunteer experience within our partnership school districts (Jordan, Provo, Alpine, Wasatch, and Nebo) is always encouraged. 

15. I don’t have a vehicle.  How can I get to all the schools?

Most students either ride the bus or join a carpool if they don’t have a personal vehicle to use to travel to their practicum/student teaching/internship site.

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 Faculty Information

Full-time Faculty

Abraham, Heidi L., Assistant Clinical Professor. MS in Special Education, Brigham Young University, 2004. Mild/Moderate Disabilities. (Heidi_Abraham@byu.edu)

Anderson, Darlene, PhD, Utah State University, 2002, Special Education. (Darlene_Anderson@byu.edu)

Ashbaker, Betty Y., Associate Professor. PhD in Educational Psychology, Brigham Young University, 1982. Supervision and Training of Paraeducators, Mild/Moderate and Severe Disabilities. (Betty_Ashbaker@byu.edu)

Dyches, Tina Taylor, Associate Professor. EdD in Special Education and Educational Administration, Illinois State University, 1995. Severe Disabilities, Autism, and Family Adaptation to Disability.(Tina_Dyches@byu.edu)

Gibb, Gordon S., Associate Professor. PhD in Special Education, University of Utah, 1994. Mild/Moderate Disabilities. (Gordon_Gibb@byu.edu)

Marchant, Michelle, Assistant Professor. PhD in Special Education, Utah State University, 2000, Behavior Disorders and Applied Behavior Analysis. (Michelle_Marchant@byu.edu)

Munk, JoAnn, MS, Brigham Young University, 1999, Special Education. (Joann_Munk@byu.edu)

Prater, Mary Anne, Professor. PhD in Special Education, Utah State University, 1987. Instructional Strategies, At-risk Children, Cultural and Ethnic Diversity. (Prater@byu.edu)

Smith, Barbara A., Assistant Clinical Professor. MS in Special Education, Brigham Young University, 1982. (Barbara_Smith@byu.edu)

Solomon, Carol, M.Ed. in Special Education, Western Oregon University, 1992. (Carol_Solomon@byu.edu)

Steed, Katie E., Assistant Clinical Professor. MS in Special Education, Brigham Young University, 2004. Severe Disabilities. (Katie_Steed@byu.edu)

Part-time Faculty

Peery, Karolyn, MS in Special Education, Brigham Young University, 2004.

Emeritus Faculty

Young,  James R. Associate Professor. Ph.D. in Special Education, George Peabody, 1970. Educational Psychology, Applied Behavior Analysis.

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The University

Focus

Brigham Young University offers outstanding academic opportunities for undergraduate students who desire learning experiences with dedicated scholars. The faculty at BYU have been schooled at some of the leading universities in the United States and abroad; many of them have achieved national and international prominence as teachers and scholars. Established and sponsored by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, BYU is the largest privately owned university in the United States.

BYU combines this academic excellence with a strong orientation toward the values of its sponsoring institution: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In a time of constantly changing human values and increased challenges for higher education, BYU holds steadfastly to a singular vision that combines reasoned and revealed learning.

Location

Situated at the foot of the beautiful Wasatch Range of the Rocky Mountains and bounded on the west by 23-mile-long Utah Lake, the campus is the focal point of a city of 90,000 and a valley of 250,000. Beyond it to the south and east are spectacular areas of sandstone canyons and monoliths, several of which are national parks. The BYU campus is 45 miles south of Salt Lake City.

Housing

BYU has large complexes of both married and single student housing. Because of the reasonable rates for this campus housing, persons wanting to rent these facilities must submit their applications through BYU Housing well in advance of coming to campus. There are many types of off-campus housing available in Provo and the surrounding communities, all within close walking and driving distance to the BYU campus.

Employment Opportunities

BYU is located in the center of the Utah Valley business and industrial complex. There are many opportunities in this surrounding community for full-time and part-time work for both students and their spouses.

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Additional Information

Visit the CPSE Department Website, or contact those listed below.

Department Web site

http://education.byu.edu/cpse

Culturally Responsive Special Education/ESL Program Co-director

Carol Solomon
350-D MCKB
Brigham Young University
Provo, UT 84602-5093

Phone: (801) 422-2772
Fax: (801) 422-0198
E-Mail: Carol_Solomon@byu.edu

Culturally Responsive Special Education/ESL Program

350 MCKB
Brigham Young University
Provo, UT 84602-5093

Phone: (801) 422-2658
Fax: (801) 422-0198
E-mail: sped.esl@byu.edu

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Revised: September 6, 2007