Special Education

Return to: Schools & Departments

Purpose and Focus

The Bachelor of Science in Education degree allows the student to pursue special education in preparing for professions in teaching and human services. The degree seeks to integrate a general academic background, professional education courses, successful completion of all major course work, and supervised teaching. The Department of Special Education offers a generalist preparation program. In this program, students learn the profession as a whole, working with students with mental retardation, learning disabilities, emotional disabilities, and/or other disabilities.

Accreditation

National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities

Undergraduate Majors

Special Education - Bachelor of Arts in Education
Special Education - Bachelor of Science in Education
Early Childhood Education - Bachelor of Science

Certification and Licensure Programs

Generalist Endorsement Certificate/Teaching License: Students will be qualified for certification by the Nevada state Department of Education to work with children in a special education resource room setting (kindergarten through12th grade).

Early Childhood Education Certificate/Teaching License: Students will be qualified for certification by the Nevada state Department of Education to work with children birth through second grade.

Admission to the Major

GPA: 2.75

Admission Policies

All students beginning their preparation leading to the bachelor’s degree and teaching licensure must be admitted into the Division of Teacher Education before being admitted to the department.

Teacher Division Requirements

No studies beyond EDU 203, EDSP 441, and EDSP 401 will be permitted within the College of Education until the student has met all Teacher Division requirements below:

1. Completion of 24 credit hours at UNLV at time of application.
2. Grade point average of 2.75 or above.
3. Students must take and pass all three parts of the Pre-Professional Skills Test (PPST).
4. Students must earn a B or better in EDSP 481 to continue to take course work in the department. Students may repeat this course one time. If the student does not achieve a B or better the second time, the student will not be allowed to proceed forward in the department.
5. Students must earn a B or better in EDSP 488, EDSP 487, and EDSP 466 to be advanced to student teaching.

Transfer Policies

Any candidate for student teaching who has transferred to UNLV must fulfill all specific requirements and have completed at least 15 hours in residence, including nine credits in professional education courses. Additional courses, as determined by the advisor or the department chair, may be required of the student.

Department Policies

Department Requirements

The following requirements must have been met before a student will be assigned to student teach:

1. Applications for student teaching must be filed by specific deadline dates no later than one semester preceding student teaching. See the Advising Center for details.
2. Formal admission to the department and successful completion of the PPST.
3. Completion of all baccalaureate course work, with a GPA of 2.75 or higher in all courses.

Academic Requirements

A GPA of 2.75 must be maintained for admission and to continue in the teacher education program. Those whose cumulative UNLV GPA falls below 2.75 will be placed on either college probation or college suspension. Should the student fail to meet minimal academic standards and be suspended, a petition for readmission must be filed with the Chair of the College Subcommittee on Academic Standards and will be reviewed by the college dean.

Advisement

While in the Division of Teacher Education, students must seek advising from the COE Advising Center.

Return to: Schools & Departments