Brigham Young University

What you'll study

The curriculum combines foundational courses in education with specialised study in assessment, instruction and behaviour support for learners with diverse needs. Typical modules include Foundations of Special Education, Assessment and Measurement in Special Education, Behaviour Management and Positive Behaviour Support, Differentiated Instruction and Curriculum Adaptations, Literacy and Language Interventions, Assistive and Instructional Technology, and Legal and Ethical Issues in Special Education.

Programme structure balances campus-based coursework and supervised field experiences. Early practicum placements introduce observation and co-teaching in inclusive and specialised settings, followed by intermediate placements focused on small-group intervention. The programme culminates in an extended, supervised student-teaching placement in a school setting where you plan, deliver and evaluate comprehensive special education programmes.

Entry requirements

Applicants are normally expected to hold a high-school diploma or equivalent and meet Brigham Young University’s general admission standards. Admissions typically consider academic record, letters of recommendation and a statement of purpose demonstrating commitment to working with learners who have disabilities. Prior experience with children, through volunteering or employment, strengthens an application.

Candidates should have completed college-preparatory coursework in English and mathematics; introductory psychology or child development is advantageous. Because BYU is affiliated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, students must meet the university’s Honor Code and related membership/endorsement requirements as part of matriculation.

Career prospects

Graduates are prepared to pursue teacher licensure and work as special education teachers in public, charter and private schools, supporting learners across preschool, primary and secondary settings. Other career paths include roles as inclusion or resource-room teachers, behaviour support specialists, early-intervention practitioners, educational assistants with leadership responsibility, transition coordinators and special education case managers.

With further study or certification, alumni may move into related positions such as educational diagnostician, applied behaviour analyst, curriculum specialist, district-level special education coordinator, or further academic research in special education. The programme’s applied practicum experiences and local school partnerships support employability across a range of educational and community contexts.

Why study at Brigham Young University

Brigham Young University offers a values-oriented teacher preparation environment with a strong emphasis on both evidence-based practice and ethical professionalism. Students benefit from close faculty mentoring, opportunities for supervised field placements in regional schools and collaborative partnerships with local districts and community agencies.

The university’s education programmes emphasise culturally responsive instruction, family engagement and practical skills for inclusive classrooms, while upholding a campus culture centred on honour, service and personal development. These features make BYU a supportive setting for preparing compassionate, effective special education professionals.