Utah Special Education Certification & Requirements

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Special Education in Utah

According to the U.S. Department of Education, 12 percent of Utah’s students are identified as having disabilities, just one percent lower than the national average. The state employs about 2,275 special education teachers, according to Concordia University. Education Week reports that Utah is one of eight states to receive a rating of “Needs Intervention” from the U.S. Department of Education for its special education services as of the 2010/2011 school year.

Licensure Requirements

For Undergraduates

Undergraduates who want to teach in special education settings can pursue a bachelor’s degree in education with an emphasis in the area of special education in which they want to teach; however, to be certified, they must complete an approved Utah teacher preparation program.

For Graduates

College graduates can attend a Utah teacher preparation program or earn a master’s degree in the area of special education in which they want to specialize. They should check with their university and the USOE’s guide to Teaching and Learning Licensing to ensure that their courses align with the latest requirements.

Types of Licenses

The Utah State Office of Education (USOE) issues several levels of teaching licenses. Those beginning their teaching careers can obtain Initial Licensure, also referred to as a Level 1 License. After teachers gain experience or obtain further professional education as stipulated by state regulations, they can apply for a Level 2 License. Educators with National Board Certification, a doctorate from an accredited institution or a Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association can apply for a Level 3 License. Teachers can submit transcripts and degree information to add a concentration to their license. Concentrations related to special education include Special Education, Special Education (Birth-Age 5), Speech Language Pathologist, Speech Language Technician and Communication Disorders (Audiology). Check with the USOE to review the complete list of License Areas of Concentration. Once teachers have obtained a Level 1 or Level 2 License, they can apply for an endorsement in a particular area of special education. To receive such an endorsement, they must submit proof of teaching experience, education and competency in that area. For more information about endorsements offered and the requirements to obtain them, refer to the USOE’s Teaching and Learning Licensing webpage.

Reciprocity

The USOE has a relatively open policy regarding reciprocity. Teachers who received their certificates outside of Utah must ensure that they have met all the Utah state licensure requirements outlined by the USOE’s Out-of-State Teacher License Application guidelines. This includes providing transcripts and copies of out-of-state certificates, as well as undergoing a background check. Applicants who obtained their college degrees and teaching licenses in another country must meet the requirements stipulated on the USOE’s Foreign-Credentialed Educator webpage. Such candidates must submit their educational records to a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services to verify that they completed the equivalent of a bachelor’s degree in education or other program that leads to teacher certification in the United States.

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Special Education Degrees in Utah

The Utah SPED Programs website allows potential students of special education to explore their options and select the Utah school and degree program that suits their needs. This site also provides information about special education careers. Students who already hold a bachelor’s degree in any area who are seeking an accelerated process for entering a special education classroom can consider Utah’s Alternative Teacher Preparation (ATP) programs. Utah State’s ATP program allows students to choose from three areas of focus: Mild/Moderate, Severe and Early Childhood Special Education. These programs provides the courses required for licensure to work with school-age students with special needs in the Salt Lake City area or with preschool students with disabilities throughout Utah. Paraprofessionals in Utah schools or individuals holding emergency authorization to work in a Utah school district can participate in Weber State University’s PRIME program, also known as Preparing Research-based Inclusive Multidisciplinary Educators. Be sure to consult Weber State about the current status of this program if you are interested as budget issues sometimes limit its availability. Situated in Salt Lake City, the University of Utah offers urban amenities set amid green spaces, bike trails and mountains. The Department of Special Education offers a bachelor’s degree program that results in a recommendation for licensure, graduate programs in special education with or without licensure and a doctorate in special education.

For profiles of all the schools in Utah that offer master’s in special education programs, click here.

Alternatives to Certification

The USOE’s Special Education Alternative Route to Licensure (ARL) program is designed for individuals who already hold a teaching position in the state. Teachers must demonstrate competency in working in a special education environment, either through coursework and Praxis testing or through professional experience.

Teaching Special Education in Utah

Public schools

Utah’s largest school districts (Jordan, Granite, Davie, Alpine, Weber, Salt Lake City, Nebo, Washington, Provo and Cache) tend to have more openings for special educators than smaller districts. Teach Utah allows job seekers to search education employment openings in Utah public and charter schools by job type or employer. Although registration is required, Teach Utah’s service is free for those seeking teaching positions.

Private schools

Private School Review lists some of Utah’s private special education schools, including Logan River Academy (in Logan), Clear Horizons Academy and Heritage Schools (both in Provo) and University Academy (in Salt Lake City).

Other programs

Salt Lake City’s Primary Children’s Medical Center employs teachers to work with its pediatric patients.

Professional Development

The USOE provides a Frequently Asked Questions page that summarizes the requirements and procedures for obtaining professional development credits in Utah. Information about workshops and classes for teachers can be found on professional development pages for individual areas, such as health and physical education, mathematics, and social studies. Further continuing education resources can be found in the Utah Education Network website’s professional development section.

Utah Professional Groups for Special Education Teachers

The Utah Education Association (UEA), a statewide teacher’s union,is open to public school educators, retired educators and students in Utah teacher preparation programs.The UEA promotes public education and serves its members through activities ranging from workshops to advocacy.
The Utah Consortium for Special Education (CSPD) provides an online forum for the planning and implementation of personnel development in the state’s special education services.
Though the Utah Parent Center is directed toward families of children with special needs, it offers many trainings, workshops and other events relevant to special educators.

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Utah Special Education Bloggers

Play Ground: The blog of Primary Children’s Medical Center School addresses issues regarding children’s health and development. Posts also provide creative, thoughtful tips for behavior management, positive reinforcement and developmentally-appropriate activities.