Special education B.A. and M.A. degrees, a licensure program and minor are offered at five Highlands sites.  Those sites are the main campus in Las Vegas, New Mexico; the Rio Rancho Center in Rio Rancho, New Mexico; the San Juan Center in Farmington, New Mexico; the Santa Fe Center in Santa Fe, New Mexico.  All sites follow the same program of study and offer courses in the same sequence.

 
Upon request, special education courses have been beamed (ITV) through the Educational Outreach Services Department to the following locations:
 

With the exception of candidates at the Santa Fe Highlands Center, degree seeking candidates at these locations are typically registered as main campus (Las Vegas, New Mexico) candidates.   The special education faculty is enthusiastic about providing distance education courses via instructional television, Illuminate and Blackboard mediums.
 
Additionally, the special education department has entered into a partnership with the West Las Vegas Schools in Las Vegas, New Mexico to provide special education teacher training and authentic experiences through a Professional Development School Model (PDS).  Three special education courses are being taught at the Professional Development School Spring semester 2012. The Highlands Rio Rancho Center Special Education Department has also entered into a partnership with the Rio Rancho School District to launch a Professional Development School model at Rio Rancho Middle School.  Two special education courses are being taught at Rio Rancho MS Spring semester 2012.  Lastly, the Bloomfield High School administration has contacted Highlands Univeristy about establishing a partnership as they move through a school reform effort with emphasis in special education.  It is the desire of the special education department faculty to link Bloomfield with special education faculty at the San Juan Highlands Center for training through a PDS Model and consultation as they implement their school reform.

Special Education Programs

Bachelor’s Degree - Special Education Major
GATEWAY ALPHA Prerequisites:

Teacher Education Preparation (TEP) Application Form & Education Program Disclosure Statement
Major Form/Minor Form
Completion of the following courses with a grade of C or better:

• English 112
• Math 140
• GNED 201 Introduction to Teaching (taken concurrently with GNED 251 Field-based I, Teacher Preparation Experience)
• SPED 214 Introduction to Special Education

New Mexico Teacher Assessment Basic Skills Test – Score 240 or better
 

*In addition to the special education major CORE courses, candidates must have a total of 128 university credits including School of Education extended CORE credits with at least 51 of these credits being upper division (300-400 upper division course) credits in order to graduate with a B.A. degree.  See p. 42 in the Highlands Undergraduate Catalog for additional information.

Special Education Licensure Program (revised 6/09)
GATEWAY ALPHA Prerequisites:
Teacher Education Preparation (TEP) Application Form & Education Program Disclosure Statement Special Education Licensure Form Completion of the following courses with a grade of C or better:

• English 112
• Math 140
• GNED 201 Introduction to Teaching (taken concurrently with GNED 251 Field-based I, Teacher Preparation Experience)
• SPED 214 Introduction to Special Education

New Mexico Teacher Assessment Basic Skills Test – Score 240 or better
 

Special Education Minor (revised 6/09)
 
The minor is special education is available to candidates completing a teacher preparation program (i.e., majoring in elementary education or pursing a minor in secondary education).  This minor satisfies university requirements; however, it does not meet PED licensure requirements.

GATEWAY ALPHA Prerequisites:
Teacher Education Preparation (TEP) Application Form & Education Program Disclosure Statement
Special Education Minor Form
Completion of the following courses with a grade of C or better:

• English 112
• Math 140
• GNED 201 Introduction to Teaching (Ttaken concurrently with GNED 251 Field-based I, Teacher Preparation Experience)
• SPED 214 Introduction to Special Education

New Mexico Teacher Assessment Basic Skills Test – Score 240 or better

Due to the increasing expectations for special educators, the ,inor in special education is being phased out in 2011.