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About

The Colorado Department of Education now licenses special education teachers as “generalists." The University of Colorado at Colorado Springs offers an approved special education generalist licensure program to students who are preparing to be special education teachers. We offer an approved undergraduate program that leads to state licensure as a generalist.

The College of Education and the College of Letters, Arts, and 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 course work. 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 five majors (English,Biology, Geography, Spanish, or History) and their preparation for special education licensure. Students complete general education requirements, a minimum of 30 hours in one of the five majors and 42 semester hours in special education. Acceptance into the SELP requires a minimum of a 2.5 GPA, acceptance into the College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences, and successful completion of the SELP application process.

Curriculum Planning Form

The course planning for undergrad students seeking initial Special Education licensure (42 semester hrs).  Additional courses for the BA in English, Biology, Geography, Spanish or History are required for the BA.  The program for both the BA and SPED Generalist Initial Licensure is 124 semester hours of course work.

>> Undergraduate SPED Initial Licensure Planning Form

Course Descriptions

>> Special Education Course Descriptions

Admissions

Requirements

1. Attend a group advising session held for prospective Special Education students. Please note that all prospective students are required to attend this meeting. Contact the Student Resource Office 719-255-4996 education@uccs.edu for dates and times, or visit the office (Columbine Hall, Room 3010) or you may contact the Academic Advisor/College of Education Liaison ­Student Success Center (719-­255-­3069/1­-800­-990­-UCCS ext. 3069) for information.
2. Set an appointment for an initial interview (LAS) with the Academic Advisor/College of Education Liaison ­ Student Success Center (719­-255-3069/1-­800-­990-­UCCS ext. 3069).
3. Fill out and submit the electronic undergraduate application form. When the College of Education receives your application a file will be set up for you. Applications will not be reviewed until all materials required are received. It is your responsibility to check on the status of your file as items are submitted.
4. Register for ONE of the following:
   • PRAXIS II Elementary Content test (Test #10014)
   • PLACE Elementary Content Test (Test #1)
   Students must pass the PLACE or Praxis Elementary Content Test by the end of the first semester in the Special Education Program. Passing the test is a requirement for the Colorado Department of Education.
5. Complete a professional interview on campus. Applicants will receive notification of the date and time for the interview
6. Contact the College of Education Student Resource Office at 719-255­-4996 and schedule an initial advising and planning appointment with a member of the Special Education faculty. Please bring an official or unofficial transcript of past academic work to share with the advisor. A tentative special education program plan of study will be provided to the student during this meeting.
7. Upon acceptance, you will receive a designated advisor. This advisor will help you plan your courses and timelines while you are in the program.

>>Click here for SELP application

Deadlines

• Rolling Admission

Post-Admission Requirements

Critical Special Education Information

• Special Education Licensure Courses and Program Plan of Study are based on State and National Professional Standards in Special Education. Our programs have been approved by national organizations including the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) as well as state governing bodies including the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, the Colorado Department of Education and the Colorado Commission on Higher Education. Undergraduate students must follow the designated approved plan of study to receive licensure as a special education teacher in Colorado.
• Students must receive a B­ or better in all Special Education Licensure Coursework.
• Students are encouraged to meet with their special education faculty advisor to review their progress every semester and must meet with their advisor on an annual basis.
• Student involvement in the student chapter of Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) for at least one year is also strongly encouraged.

Field­-Based Requirements

• Special Education Licensure Program (SELP) for undergraduate licensure has over 800 hours of field and internship experience.
• SELP students have field­based hours in local schools during their course work in special education. Faculty assign between 10 and 30 field­based hours in coursework.
• SELP students are placed in schools for a 16 weeks student teaching placement (640 hours) and an internship (approximately 100 hours). All students participate in both placements, one at the elementary level and one at the secondary level. SELP students who work as special education paraprofessionals may complete their student teaching “on the job” if there are opportunities for them to meet course requirements.
• The SELP program uses a network of practicing teachers in area school districts for student teaching and internship experiences that use methods aligned with SELP goals, objectives, and practices.
• All SELP coursework must be completed before student teaching. If students plan on using financial aid during the student teaching and internship they will need to take an LAS class with student teaching to have the required 6 credits for financial aid.

Courses (42 Credit hrs).