Application deadline is Jan. 16, 2004
The Brigham Young University David O. McKay School of Education announces a new major in special education beginning Winter Semester 2004.
The program is accepting applications through Jan. 16, 2004. Applications are available at http://www.byu.edu/cse/sed_bs.html.
Katie Sampson, an assistant clinical professor in counseling psychology and special education, said the new major provides exciting opportunities for the college and for students.
"I think it's great to open the doors of diversity and to appreciate that there are differences in education for different learning abilities," Sampson said. "We are implementing strategies on how to teach considering those differences in our schools."
Sampson said there is a deficit of 38,000 special educators nationwide, and that the addition of the special education major will help expedite the education of those who wish to go into the field. BYU previously had certification programs that would be taken in addition to a separate undergraduate program.
"Hopefully it will open the door to get more people to major in special education," Sampson said. "The addition of a new major is allowing us as a department to offer more specialized classes to meet the needs in the field of special education. And it's always good to offer students more opportunities to train for their professions."
The School of Education will continue to offer certification programs for those who have finished their degrees or who are majoring in other programs. The deadline for certification applications is March 31.
For more information, contact Katie Sampson by email at katie_sampson@byu.edu.
Writer: Rachel M. Sego
