Graduate Studies in Education

Special Education Alternative License (SEAL)

The Special Education Alternative Licensure (S.E.A.L.) is specifically designed for the non-teaching licensure student who has been hired as a FULL-TIME SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER in the State of Utah.  Candidates who complete the program receive a Special Education teaching license. 

The SEAL Program consists of six online courses with three hours of credit each and six hours of documented student teaching completed on-the-job . Students enrolled in the program receive graduate credit for all courses.

Program courses include:

SPED 6100 Programming and Management for Students with Mild/Moderate Disabilities
SPED 6110 Principles of Special Education law
SPED 6120 Applied Behavior Analysis and Measurement
SPED 6130 Curriculum Strategies and Procedures in Reading, Writing and Math for Students with Mild/Moderate Disabilities
SPED 6145 Transition and Collaboration Programming for Students with Mild/Morderate Disabilities
SPED 6160 Concepts of Measurement, Assessment, and Report Writing for Students with Mild/Moderate Disabilities
SPED 6980 Special Education Clinical Practice- Only available Fall and Spring Semesters. 

                      Students must take the Special Education PRAXIS examination before doing their Clinical Practice Test Code: 0353.  Check with the school district regarding what test they would like you to take to be a highly qualified Special Education Teacher.  For testing dates and information please contact   www.ets.org

                       Please submit the following forms before the due dates for Clinical Practice:    Clinical Practice Application

Clinical Practice Application Deadlines:

To qualify for this program, students must have completed an undergraduate degree and have secured employment as full-time special education teacher in either a public or private school in the State of Utah.

Admission Procedure for SEAL:

1. Candidates desiring admission to SUU's Graduate Studies Special Education Alternative Licensure program   must complete the Online Version and pay the $50.00 non-refundable application fee. PLEASE indicate in "Intended academic plan in which you want to study:  GELP SEAL
2. SUBMIT ALL THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTION IN ONE PACKAGE. (All application materials must be submitted in their entirety by the deadline dates. Candidates who do not submit all the required documentation by the deadline date will not be processed for admission into the program for that semester. All letters must be originals, no copies, faxes, or e-mails accepted.)

• A handwritten statement expressing (1) reasons the applicant wants to be admitted to the SEAL. Program, (2) why the applicant believes he/she can succeed in the program.
• Official transcript of all undergraduate and graduate studies. Transcripts must verify a minimum GPA of 3.25 on the last 60 semester hours (90 quarter hours) of approved undergraduate/graduate coursework.

• Submit three (3) letters of recommendation from school administrators/supervisors, assigned mentors or former/current college instructors. 
• Submit letter on school district letterhead with a wet signature verifying full time employment with a Utah School District in which the student is hired as a full time special education teacher.
• Submit a wallet size photograph.
• Must take PRAXIS exam: Elementary Education Content Knowledge  0014. Scores must be submitted to SUU before admission is complete.

Send ALL the admission requirements in one package to :

Office of  Graduate Studies in Education
Attention:  Debi Smith - Old Main 216
Southern Utah University
351 West University Boulevard
Cedar City, Utah 84720

In addition to the submission of admission documentation ALL candidates must attend a mandatory Graduate Studies Program Orientation before being officially admitted and taking classes.     Contact Debi Smith at smithd@suu.edu  or 435-865-8383 to reserve your seat for orientation

General Information:

1. The SEAL program must be completed within six years of continueous enrollement from the date of matriculation.
2. Upon admission all graduate students must maintain a 3.0 GPA. If a student's GPA falls below 3.0, the student will be revoked from the program and must submit a Student Appeals Application to seek readmission.
3. If a student misses more than two consecutive semesters, excluding summer session, the student must apply for readmission and is subject to the current catalog requirements.