Aug 14, 2024  
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog

Elementary & Special Education (B.S.Ed.)


114 Double Major Hours, 126 Degree Hours


Nondepartmental Requirements (52 hours)


Note:


A student must have a CGPA of 2.6 to co-register for EDFN 338  and SPED 296 , and, a CGPA of 2.7 to be admitted to the Teacher Education Program.

Must be admitted into Teacher Education to be enrolled in courses in junior year and beyond.

Teacher candidates submit an application for student teaching/residency in December if planning on student teaching in the upcoming fall, or in April if planning on student teaching the following spring. Prior to student teaching, students must have all major/minor coursework completed, and a 2.7 cumulative and major GPA. All coursework in the major/minor must be completed with a “C” or better.

It is recommended that majors complete the Natural Science/Natural World requirement by completing the following four courses each with a lab component: PHYS 104 ; CHEM 104 ; ESCI 104 ; BIOL 104 . Each of these two- credit hour courses runs eight-weeks; two courses should be taken in one semester.

System General Education Requirements Elementary Education/Special Education (12 credit hours*)


Free Electives (4 credit hours)


Four-Year Program Guides and Costs


USD encourages students to take 15 credits per semester or 30 credits within the year in order to graduate in 4 years. To help students complete their academic degree program in four years, we provide a sample academic plan. Please work with your academic advisor to confirm your plan.

Distance Program Leading to Professional Licensure


Location Matters. This program is designed to meet the educational requirements for a professional license or certification and allows students to enroll in at least one course through distance education during the first semester. Pursuant to Federal Regulations, the program may only admit students who are located in states where the program meets the educational requirements for professional licensure or who attest in writing that they intend to seek licensure or employment in a state where the program meets those requirements. As part of your application to this program, you will be asked to provide additional information regarding your location to assist the program in determining your eligibility for admission. 

If you have questions regarding licensure, we encourage you to contact a program representative prior to submitting your admission application. For more information, visit USD’s Licensure-Track Programs page for links to the USD program websites and state licensure board websites. 

Additionally, this program is authorized to offer supervised field study experiences (internship, externship, clinical, rotation, practicum, independent study, study away, etc.) in South Dakota. Please be aware that there may be some restrictions on your ability to engage in supervised field study outside of South Dakota. If you have questions regarding supervised field study, please contact a program representative. 

Distance education courses or programs will not be offered outside of the United States without prior written approval from the University, which may be withheld for any reason. If you are taking distance courses while physically located outsides of the United States, it is your responsibility to confirm the following: (a) if the country will recognize an online degree; (b) whether the program meets licensure or certification requirements in the country including the availability of supervised field study opportunities in the country; and (c) if the country charges any additional taxes, withholdings or fees associated with online distance education programs.