Undergraduate Program

Undergraduate Student Contact Information

Staff Program Coordinator
Hokona Hall Zuni Rm. 103
specialeducation@unm.edu
(505) 277-5018

Application materials and program information can be found at the Special Education department Web site, or by contacting the Staff Program Coordinator.


Degree Offered

  • Bachelor of Science in Education in Special Education (B.S.Ed.)

Results in eligibility for dual licensure in Special Education (PreK–12) and Elementary Education (K–8).

Minor

Non-Teaching Minor


Application Information

The Special Education Dual License program has a rolling admissions process.

Process

In order to apply and be considered for admittance into the Special Education Dual License Program, students must have completed the following requirements:

  • 26 credit hours;
  • Maintenance of a minimum GPA of 2.5;
  • SPCD 201 and SPCD 204 (or equivalent course from another college) with a grade of "B" or better;
  • Passed all of the NES Tests: Essential Academic Skills below:
    • Subtest I: Reading
    • Subtest II: Writing
    • Subtest III: Math

Students are encouraged to meet with one of the Dual License faculty before applying to the program to answer any questions or concerns regarding the application process or the program.

To schedule an appointment, contact the Staff Program Coordinator at: specialeducation@unm.edu or (505) 277-5018.

To apply to the Dual License Program, please submit following items online through Tk20™, which can be accessed from the College of Education Web site:

  1. The Special Education Dual License Program Application form completed online through Tk20™;
  2. A letter of intent to the Dual License Program, stating reasons for applying to the program, a description of relevant experiences, and education and career goals;
  3. One unofficial transcript from each college attended. UNM transcripts are not needed;
  4. Resume;
  5. Three (3) letters of recommendation (program recommends: at least one letter come from a college instructor, one from an employer, and one from another professional contact);
  6. Documentation of passing the National Evaluation Series Test.

Once all documentation has been submitted, the application will be reviewed by program faculty and students will be notified of admittance decisions.


B.S.Ed. with Majors in Special Education and Elementary Education Dual License Program

An undergraduate dual major in Special Education and Elementary Education is available. The Special Education dual license program is based on the belief that all children are valued members in the school and wider community. This challenging program prepares students to work with a diverse learning population and teaches strategies that are effective for all learners by providing:

  • Diverse university and field based learning experiences
  • One-on-one field support from experienced UNM supervisors
  • Course work that connects theory to practice
  • Supportive faculty members who have recent experience in classroom settings
  • Consistent advising from faculty beginning pre-admission through to graduation

Our state-of-the-art preparation is one of the few of its kind in the country that prepares teachers to be effective across the full continuum of educational settings for all students regardless of perceived ability. One of the ways we achieve this is through modeling interdisciplinary collaboration and co-teaching to provide a comprehensive program of study. We do not view our program as a sequence of individual three credit hour courses but rather as a holistic and coherent program of study designed to prepare teachers who can help all students reach their highest potential. Through this carefully planned sequence of course work, students gain a wealth of classroom experiences and develop effective instructional strategies for all learners. Our graduates are eligible for New Mexico licensure in special education (PreK–12) and elementary education (K–8). This dual major program is 137-146 credit hours, depending on the concentration-teaching field chosen.

General Education Requirements

Credit
Hours
English and Communication 9
•  (ENGL 110 or 112 or 113) and ENGL 120 and (ENGL 219 or ENGL 220).
Mathematics 6-9
•  MATH 111.
•  Select 3 credit hours from: MATH (112 and 215), 121, 129, 150, 162, 163, 180, 181; STAT 145.
Physical and Natural Sciences 8
•  Any science courses listed in the UNM Core Curriculum are accepted. Must include two laboratory courses.
Social and Behavioral Sciences 9
•  EDPY 310.
•  Select 6 credit hours from: ANTH 101, 130; ECON 105, 106; POLS 110, 200, 220, 240; PSY 105; SOC 101.
•  Other courses may be applied with advisor approval.
History 6
•  Select 6 credit hours from: HIST 101 or HIST 102; HIST 161 or HIST 162; HIST 181 or HIST 182.
Second Language 3
•  Select from lower-division Foreign Languages and Literatures, Signed Language, Spanish and Portuguese, or other foreign languages in other departments and programs.
Fine Arts 6
•  Select 3 credit hours from: ARTH 101, 201, 202; DANC 105; MA 210; MUS 139; THEA 105.
•  One 3 credit hour elective. Recommended: ARTE 214.
Total 47-50


Prerequisites

Students must complete the following courses with a grades of "B" or higher to be eligible for acceptance into the Dual License program. Students may apply to the program while enrolled in these courses.

Credit
Hours
SPCD 201 Education of the Exceptional Person 3
SPCD 204 Introduction to Special Education 2
Total 5


Concentration-Teaching Field (9-18 credit hours)

Students must complete 24 credit hours in a concentration-teaching field with grades of "C" (not "C-") or higher. Concentration-teaching fields are developed with advisor approval. Courses from general education and foundation requirements can be used to count toward the concentration-teaching field with advisor approval so the number of hours varies by the concentration-teaching field. Select from: Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, or Social Studies.

Recommended Professional Course Sequence

Credit
Hours
Semester 1 (Pre-Residency)
EDUC 330L Teaching of Reading to Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students I 3
EDUC 353L Teaching Science K-8 3
EDUC 361L Teaching Mathematics K-8 3
MSET 365 Technology Integration for Effective Instruction (1) 3
SPCD 420 Introduction to Intellectual Disability (1) 3
Diversity Requirement I
Select one from: LLSS 175, 315, *449, 456, 457, 458, 459, 469, 482; SPCD 459, 460. (1)
3
Subtotal 18
Semester 2 (Pre-Residency)
EDPY 303 Human Growth and Development (1) 3
EDUC 331L Teaching of Reading to Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students II 3
EDUC 333L Teaching Language Arts K-8 3
LLSS 443 Children's Literature (Literatura Infantil) (1) 3
SPCD 303 Methods and Materials for Students with Mild Disabilities 3
SPCD 304 Practicum 3
Subtotal 18
Semester 3 (Residency)
EDUC 321L Teaching Social Studies K-8 3
EDUC 400 Student Teaching in the Elementary School 6
SPCD 319 Classroom Organization and Management 3
SPCD 486 Differentiating Reading Instruction in Inclusive Settings for Students with Intellectual Disabilities and Severe Disabilities 3
Subtotal 15
Semester 4 (Residency)
SPCD 313 Curriculum for Learners with Disabilities 2
SPCD 462 Student Teaching in Special Education 7
SPCD 464 Classroom Assessment and Program Planning 3
Diversity Requirement II
Select one from: LLSS 175, 315, *449, 456, 457, 458, 459, 469, 482; SPCD 459, 460. (1)
3
Subtotal 15
Total 66


Note:
 (1) Course can be taken in any term.

Changes in state requirements or state reform initiatives in education may require periodic revisions of the curriculum and admission process. 

Major Requirements

  • B.S.Ed. Special Education Major (35 credit hours): EDPY 303; SPCD 201, 204, 303, 304 (3), 313, 319, 420, 462 (7), 464, 486, Diversity Requirement I. 
  • B.S.Ed. Elementary Education Major (36 credit hours): EDPY 310; EDUC 321L, 330L, 331L, 333L, 353L, 361L, 400 (6); LLSS 443; MSET 365, Diversity Requirement II.

To complete requirements for the B.S.Ed. dual major program, students are required to earn grades of "B" (not "B-") or higher in the following courses: EDUC 321L, 330L, 331L, 333L, 353L, 361L; SPCD 201, 204, 303, 319, 464, 486.


Non-Teaching Undergraduate Minor

A 20 credit hour non-teaching undergraduate minor in Special Education is offered. Students should plan to enroll in Special Education courses during the fall and spring semesters since courses in this sequence are seldom offered during the summer sessions. Please contact the Staff Program Coordinator (information above) to make an appointment to meet with a faculty advisor to develop a written Minor Program of Studies.


Credit
Hours
Requirements
SPCD 201 Education of the Exceptional Person 3
SPCD 204 Introduction to Special Education 2
  (Field Experience and Seminar)  
Choose five of the following electives:  
SPCD *302 Introduction to Communicative Disorders 3
SPCD 420 Introduction to Intellectual Disability 3
SPCD 430 Introduction to Students with Emotional and Behavioral Disorders 3
SPCD 440 Introduction to Learning Disabilities 3
SPCD 450 Introduction to Early Childhood Special Education 3
SPCD 452 Teaching Students with Intellectual Disability and Severe Disabilities 3
SPCD 465 Art and the Exceptional Child 3
SPCD 467 Physical Disabilities and Causes 3
SPCD 481 Introduction to Assistive Technology in Special Education 2

Courses

SPCD 201. Education of the Exceptional Person. (3)



SPCD 204. Introduction to Special Education. (2)



SPCD *302. Introduction to Communicative Disorders. (3)



SPCD 303. Methods and Materials for Students with Mild Disabilities. (3)



SPCD 304. Practicum. (1-4 to a maximum of 6 Δ)



SPCD 313. Curriculum for Learners with Disabilities. (2)



SPCD 319. Classroom Organization and Management. (3)



SPCD 391. Problems. (1-3 to a maximum of 6 Δ)



SPCD 402 / 502. At Risk for School Failure and Disabilities. (3)



SPCD 407 / 507. Collaboration for Inclusive Education. (3)



SPCD 411 / 511. Social Construction of Disabilities. (3)



SPCD 419 / 519. The Application of Applied Behavior Analysis in the Special Education Classroom. (3)



SPCD 420 / 520. Introduction to Intellectual Disability. (3)



SPCD 430 / 530. Introduction to Students with Emotional and Behavioral Disorders. (3)



SPCD 440 / 540. Introduction to Learning Disabilities. (3)



SPCD 450 / 550. Introduction to Early Childhood Special Education. (3)



SPCD 452 / 552. Teaching Students with Intellectual Disability and Severe Disabilities. (3)



SPCD 459 / 559. Teaching Bilingual/Multicultural Special Education. (3)



SPCD 460 / 560. Introduction to Bilingual-Multicultural Special Education. (3)



SPCD 462. Student Teaching in Special Education. (1-7 to a maximum of 7 Δ)



SPCD 464. Classroom Assessment and Program Planning. (3)



SPCD 465. Art and the Exceptional Child. (3)



SPCD 467 / 529. Physical Disabilities and Causes. (3)



SPCD 481. Introduction to Assistive Technology in Special Education. (1-2, to a maximum of 2 Δ)



SPCD 483 / 583. Introduction to Autism Spectrum Disorders. (3)



SPCD 484 / 584. Research and Teaching-Intervention in Autism Spectrum Disorders. (3)



SPCD 486 / 586. Differentiating Reading Instruction in Inclusive Settings for Students with Intellectual Disabilities and Severe Disabilities. (3)



SPCD 489 / 589. Teaching Exceptional Students in General Education. (1-3 to a maximum of 3 Δ)



SPCD 493. Topics in Special Education. (1-3, no limit Δ)



SPCD 495. Field Experience. (3 to a maximum of 6 Δ)



SPCD 501. The Psychology and Education of Exceptional Persons. (3)



SPCD 502 / 402. At Risk for School Failure and Disabilities. (3)



SPCD 503. Instructional and Curriculum Design for Exceptionalities. (3)



SPCD 504. Practicum in Special Education. (1-6 to a maximum of 9 Δ)



SPCD 505. Seminars in Special Education. (3, no limit Δ)



SPCD 507 / 407. Collaboration for Inclusive Education. (3)



SPCD 508. Collaboration with Family, School and Community. (3)



SPCD 509. Adolescent Reading Instruction for Students with Behavioral and Learning Exceptionalities. (3)



SPCD 510. Special Education Law. (3)



SPCD 511 / 411. Social Construction of Disabilities. (3)



SPCD 512. Transition Planning for Exceptional Students. (3)



SPCD 514. Teaching Reading to Students with Learning and Behavior Exceptionalitites. (3)



SPCD 515. Mathematics/Science Instruction for Diverse Exceptional Learners. (3)



SPCD 517. Assessment of Diverse Students with Learning and Behavior Exceptionalities. (3)



SPCD 518. Classroom Organization and Positive Behavioral Supports. (3)



SPCD 519 / 419. The Application of Applied Behavior Analysis in the Special Education Classroom. (3)



SPCD 520 / 420. Introduction to Intellectual Disability. (3)



SPCD 524. Advocacy and Empowerment with Individuals with Intellectual or Severe Disability. (3)



SPCD 525. Legal Rights of Persons with Disabilities. (3)



SPCD 527. Assessment for Diverse Exceptional Learners: Intellectual Disability and Severe Disabilities. (3)



SPCD 528. Sexuality Education for Individuals with Disabilities. (3)



SPCD 529 / 467. Physical Disabilities and Causes. (3)



SPCD 530 / 430. Introduction to Students with Emotional and Behavioral Disorders. (3)



SPCD 532. Education and Transition of Students with Emotional and Behavioral Disorders. (3)



SPCD 534. Social Competence, Self Determination and Resiliency. (3)



SPCD 540 / 440. Introduction to Learning Disabilities. (3)



SPCD 542. Teaching Individuals with Learning Disabilities. (3)



SPCD 544. Writing Instructional Strategies for Students with Learning and Behavioral Exceptionalities. (3)



SPCD 550 / 450. Introduction to Early Childhood Special Education. (3)



SPCD 552 / 452. Teaching Students with Intellectual Disability and Severe Disabilities. (3)



SPCD 553. Advanced Field Seminar: ECSE-Elementary Special Education. (3)



SPCD 559 / 459. Teaching Bilingual/Multicultural Special Education. (3)



SPCD 560 / 460. Introduction to Bilingual-Multicultural Special Education. (3)



SPCD 561L. Educational Diagnosis: Diagnostic Assessment of Young Children. (3)



SPCD 563L. Educational Diagnosis: Multidisciplinary Collaboration for Diagnostic Assessment. (3)



SPCD 564L. Educational Diagnosis: Introduction to Assessment for Eligibility for Special Education Supports. (3)



SPCD 566L. Educational Diagnosis: Differential Diagnosis I. (3)



SPCD 567L. Educational Diagnosis: Differential Diagnosis II. (3)



SPCD 568L. Educational Diagnosis: Diagnostic Assessment of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students. (3)



SPCD 569L. Educational Diagnosis: Clinical Internship. (1-6 to a maximum of 6 Δ)



SPCD 582. Teaching Students with Intensive Communication Needs. (3)



SPCD 583 / 483. Introduction to Autism Spectrum Disorders. (3)



SPCD 584 / 484. Research and Teaching-Intervention in Autism Spectrum Disorders. (3)



SPCD 586 / 486. Differentiating Reading Instruction in Inclusive Settings for Students with Intellectual Disabilities and Severe Disabilities. (3)



SPCD 587. Reading Methods for Students with Intellectual or Severe Disability. (3)



SPCD 588. Organization and Supervision of Special Education Programs. (3)



SPCD 589 / 489. Teaching Exceptional Students in General Education. (1-3 to a maximum of 3 Δ)



SPCD 591. Problems. (1-3 to a maximum of 12 Δ)



SPCD 592. Workshops in Special Education. (1-4 to a maximum of 9 Δ)



SPCD 593. Topics. (1-3, no limit Δ)



SPCD 594. Advanced Field Experience in Applied Behavior Analysis. (3)



SPCD 594L. Advanced Field Experience in Applied Behavior Analysis-Lab. (3 to a maximum of 6 Δ)



SPCD 595. Advanced Field Experience. (3-6 to a maximum of 12 Δ)



SPCD 596L. Educational Diagnosis: Advanced Application of Skills. (1 to a maximum of 3 Δ)



SPCD 597. Ethics and Professionalism in Applied Behavior Analysis. (3)



SPCD 598. Directed Readings in Special Education. (1-3 to a maximum of 6 Δ)



SPCD 599. Master's Thesis. (1-6, no limit Δ)



SPCD 601. Professional Seminar in Special Education. (3)



SPCD 615. Trends and Issues in Special Education. (3)



SPCD 619. Single Case Research Design [The Application of Applied Behavior Analysis to Academic Research in Special Education]. (3)



SPCD 696. Internship. (3-6 to a maximum of 12 Δ)



SPCD 699. Dissertation. (3-12, no limit Δ)



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Office of the Registrar

MSC 11 6325
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM 87131

Phone: (505) 277-8900
Fax: (505) 277-6809