Special Education Undergraduate Program Guides

Use the links above to jump to the program plan for your desired program. Program plans are subject to change with curricular updates each year or with changes in state teacher licensure requirements (for licensure programs).

Use these guides as a reference only and work with academic and faculty advisors throughout your program to plan out your coursework using our official degree audit and program planning systems.

This guide is for students completing the Special Education major, based on the 2024-2025 university catalog.

• All courses must be passed with a grade of C- or better.
• All students must complete the School of Education admission process.
• Please see your Special Education advisor to plan your course of study.
• Some courses are offered in Fall, Spring, Summer only, as noted after the course title.

This 4-year plan is intended to support advising and course registration planning. For official documentation of degree requirements, please refer to your Degree Progress Report or the University Catalog. Please note: requirements to earn teacher licensure recommendation are subject to change according to mandates from the Colorado Department of Education, regardless of catalog year.

Praxis Exam Information:

Students in this program should complete the Praxis exams at recommended points in the program identified below. Please refer to the Praxis Exam Information and Resources page for exam details and tutoring resources.

Post-baccalaureate teacher licensure is for candidates who are interested in obtaining a teaching license in Colorado and who have been awarded a conferred bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university. These programs do not grant a degree or certificate; they only grant recommendation to the State of Colorado for your teaching license by completion of an Approved Program Verification (APV) form (this is the required document to apply for a license after completing a state-approved licensure program in Colorado).

We strongly encourage those interested in this program to also review our Master of Arts in Teaching: Special Education program, which consists of fewer credit hours and results in a master’s degree and teacher licensure recommendation.

• All courses must be passed with a grade of C- or better.
• All licensure students must complete the School of Education admission process.
• Please see a Special Education advisor to plan your course of study.
• Some courses are offered in Fall, Spring, Summer only, as noted after the course title.

This program plan is intended to support advising and course registration planning. For official documentation of program requirements, please refer to the University Catalog. Please note: requirements to earn teacher licensure recommendation are subject to change according to mandates from the Colorado Department of Education, regardless of catalog year.

Praxis Exam Information:

Students in this program should consult with a Special Education advisor to determine the best time to take the required Praxis exams for this program. Please refer to the Praxis Exam Information and Resources page for exam details and tutoring resources.

General Course Requirements: 6 credits

PSY 1800 – Developmental Educational Psychology
Credits: 3

MTH 1610 – Integrated Mathematics I
Credits: 3

Sequence I Courses: 6 credits

SED 3600 – Exceptional Learners in the Classroom
Credits: 3

SED 3650 – Understanding Special Education Law and the IEP
Credits: 3

Sequence II Courses: 19 credits

CLD 3510 – Perspectives in Education for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Learners
Credits: 3

SED 3550 – Introduction to Inclusive Supports and Services for Students with Significant Needs
Credits: 3

SED 3625 – Instructional Methods for Supporting Students with Disabilities
Credits: 3

SED 3675 – Transition Planning for Inclusive Adulthoods
Credits: 3

SED 3820 – Elementary Literacy: Intervention and Instruction for Students with Diverse Learning Needs
Credits: 3

SED 3821 – Special Education Field Experience: Teaching Students with Mild/Moderate Disabilities
Credits: 1
Field Experience: 45 hours

SED 3950 – Mathematics Instruction for Students with Disabilities
Credits: 3

Sequence III Courses: 17 credits

SED 3050 – Assessment and Instructional Planning
Credits: 3

SED 4200 – Reading Disabilities and Content Instruction
Credits: 3

SED 3250 – Effective Behavioral Support Systems
Credits: 3

SED 4100 – Including Students with Significant Support Needs
Credits: 3

SED 4101 – Teaching Students with Significant Support Needs
Credits: 1
Field Experience: 45 hours

SED 4300 – Assessment and Methods for Emotional and Behavioral Disorders
Credits: 3

SED 4301 – Special Education Field Experience: Teaching Students with Emotional/Behavioral Disabilities
Credits: 1
Field Experience: 45 hours

Sequence IV Course: 3 credits

SED 4440* – K-12 Practicum in Special Education
Credits: 3
Practicum Hours: 120

Sequence V Courses: 12 credits

SED 4490 – Special Education Student Teaching and Seminar
Credits: 12
Full-time Student Teaching (640 hours)

Grand Totals:

63 credits
135 Field Experience Hours
120 Practicum Hours
640 Student Teaching Hours

This Special Education Generalist (ages 5 – 21) added endorsement program is for licensed or pre-service teachers interested in taking undergraduate coursework leading to an added endorsement in special education on their Colorado teaching license. Students seeking an endorsement in special education must either be accepted to a School of Education teacher licensure program OR hold a valid teaching license in Colorado. Upon successful completion of this added endorsement program, candidates will be recommended for added endorsement in Special Education through the Colorado Department of Education. This program does not grant a degree or certificate; it only grants recommendation to the State of Colorado for your teaching license by completion of an Approved Program Verification (APV) form (this is the required document to apply for a license after completing a state-approved licensure program in Colorado).

• All courses must be passed with a grade of C- or better.
• All students must complete the School of Education admission process.
• Please see your Elementary Education advisor to plan your course of study.
• Some courses are offered in Fall, Spring, Summer only, as noted after the course title.

This program plan is intended to support advising and course registration planning. For official documentation of program requirements, please refer to the University Catalog. Please note: requirements to earn teacher licensure recommendation are subject to change according to mandates from the Colorado Department of Education, regardless of catalog year.