Undergraduate Programs
The Department of Special Education/Communication Disorders offers two undergraduate programs that train professionals to work with exceptional populations in school, community, hospital, and residential settings. Degree plans for both programs can be obtained in the College of Education Advisement Center, located on the second floor of the Zuhl Library, (575) 646-3404.
Communication Disorders
The Communication Disorders program provides training for students interested in pursuing advanced degrees in speech language pathology, audiology, or speech and hearing sciences. Note: Upon completion of the Bachelor's degree, the student is required to apply to a graduate program to obtain a Master's degree to practice in the field of speech-Language Pathology or a Doctorate to practice in the field of Audiology.
Special Education
The Special Education program is a teacher preparation program that leads to a dual licensure at the Bachelors level. Note: If the student is interested in being certified to work with the hearing impaired or deaf education, applying to the graduate school and pursuing an advanced degree is necessary.
- Special Education is a K - 12th grade licensure and the student has two options for regular licensure:
- Option I is Elementary Education, which is K - 8th grade; or
- Option II is Secondary Education, which is 7 - 12th grade and the student must have completed a specific academic teaching field. The Secondary teaching fields are: Business, General Science, Languages: French, German or Spanish, Language Arts, Math, Physical Education (also K - 12th grade) or Social Studies.
The Special Education program prepares students to provide appropriate educational services to individuals with disabilities and is designed to prepare students for licensure in special education. Students receive training in a broad based curriculum appropriate for teaching and other career options related to special education and developmental disabilities.
TEACHER EDUCATION PROGRAM (TEP)
In order to complete the degree (and become licensed to teach), undergraduate students must be admitted to the competitive Teacher Education Program (TEP). Applicants who successfully complete the minimum requirements for admission must submit a professional portfolio to be reviewed by the TEP Admission Committee.
The following minimum criteria must be met:
- a minimum cum GPA of 2.5,
- 55 credit hours completed,
- TEP prerequisite courses completed (or concurrently enrolled in final ones), with a grade of "C" or better,
- a passing score of 240 or better on the New Mexico Teacher Assessment (NMTA) Basic Skills test.
- one Student Disposition
The Undergraduate TEP packet, explaining the components of the portfolio that are necessary to be considered for admission by the TEP Admission Committee does not ensure admittance into any teaching program. Applicants are encouraged to develop a strong student portfolio, achieve the highest GPA possible and present the portfolio in a professional manner. Packets are also available at the Undergraduate Advisement Office of the College of Education, located at the Zuhl Library, second floor.
Portfolio submission takes place twice a year, once during the fall semester and once during the spring semester, during a specific one week period. For specific dates each semester, contact the Undergraduate Advisement Office at (505) 646-3404. Applicants should be aware that admission to the TEP is competitive and admission is based upon available faculty resources.
STUDENT TEACHING
Student Teaching is the final semester of the degree, and is a requirement for licensure. Student Teaching applications are submitted one year prior to the actual student teaching semester, and students must be admitted to the TEP in order to apply for student teaching. Application deadlines are October 9 for fall student teaching and March 9 for spring student teaching. Applications are submitted to the Undergraduate Advisement Office.
For more information, contact the College of Education Undergraduate Advisement Center located temporarily on the second floor of the Zuhl Library, (575) 646-3404.
| PDF Files require Adobe Acrobat Reader. Get the free version of Acrobat Reader by clicking on icon. |  |