Special Education Undergraduate Assessment
The teaching degrees offered by the Department of Special Education and Rehabilitation Counseling at USU are accredited by the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Programs (AAQEP). The program's accreditation was successfully renewed for 7 years in May 2026.
Program Outcomes
The learning outcomes for all programs listed below are in the Student Teaching Evaluation Rubric.
Assessment Planning
The program learning outcomes are addressed throughout the program in various classes, as summarized by this curriculum matrix.
Data Collection
The implementation cycle of our program assessments includes the following:
1. Every student is assessed using the student teaching evaluation rubric and disposititions assessment at the end of their student teaching experience. This assessment serves as the culminating summative assessment of all program learning objectives.
2. Indirect assessment of program learning outcomes is assessed through an annual survey of alumni and employers of alumni. The results are summarized in the annual reports linked below.
3. Program surveys are conducted every semester and provide the data for making program improvement decisions.
Use of Results to Inform Program Changes
Strategic Planning Based on Analysis of Program Evaluation Data:
Potential program changes in terms of curriculum and program updates are reviewed using the data collected through the data collection process. These data points are reviewed during the Undergraduate Committee monthly meetings.
Updates made to the program in 2025-2026 academic year, based on program evaluation and faculty input:
- removed CPR as a program requirement
- adjusted two required courses to be teaching support classes (electives to go with the major)
- established new composite major course outlines with the intent that composite majors can finish within 2 years after being admitted to the major (4 years total)
- aligned courses to new USBE foundational competencies
Annual Feedback on Assessment
The undergraduate leadership team met with the Associate Dean for Accreditation and Undergraduate Studies and reviewed the assessment webpage. Based on that feedback, we updated the link to the program outcomes. We also received feedback from AAQEP on our annual report, and the program's accreditation was successfully renewed for 7 years in May 2026.
The following teaching majors in Special Education and Rehabilitation Counseling are accredited through AAQEP:- Special Education Online Practical Teacher Training (OPTT): Birth to Age 5 Emphasis – BA, BS
- Special Education Online Practical Teacher Training (OPTT): Mild/Moderate Emphasis – BA, BS
- Special Education Online Practical Teacher Training (OPTT): Complex Support Needs Emphasis – BA, BS
- Special Education: Birth to 5 Emphasis – BA, BS
- Special Education: Mild/Moderate Emphasis – BA, BS
- Special Education: Complex Support Needs Emphasis – BA, BS
- Special Education: Mild/Moderate & Birth to 5 Emphasis Composite – BA, BS
- Special Education: Mild/Moderate & Complex Support Needs Dual Emphasis Composite – BA, BS
- Special Education: Complex Support Needs & Birth to 5 Emphasis Composite – BA, BS
- Special Education: Birth to 5 Emphasis/Early Childhood Education Dual Major – BA, BS
- Special Education: Mild/Moderate Emphasis/Elementary Education Dual – BA, BS
- Special Education: Mild/Moderate Emphasis/Secondary Education Dual – BA, BS
- Special Education: Complex Support Needs Emphasis/Elementary Education Dual – BA, BS
- Special Education: Complex Support Needs Emphasis/Secondary Education Dual – BA, BS