USBE APPEL-SpEd Special Education (K-12+)

If you are applying for a SpEd-Associate Educator License only, because you are already enrolled in a University preparation program, follow the steps here.

DO NOT enroll in the USBE APPEL-SpEd Program if you are already enrolled or are planning to enroll in a University preparation program.

Welcome to APPEL-SpEd: USBE’s Alternate Path to Professional Educator Licensure for Special Education in grades kindergarten through 12th plus grades. You will select mild/moderate or significant support needs (severe) as a license area endorsement when you apply for the APPEL-SpEd program. Examples of teaching assignments that are applicable to this license area include elementary special education teacher, middle school math co-teacher, and self-contained resource teacher.

Please note this program leads to licensure only–not a degree. This program is available to participants who already have:

- A bachelor's degree
- Sponsored by a Local Education Agency (LEA) committed to providing:
  - access to students receiving special education services,
  - administrator evaluations,
  - a qualified mentor, and
  - opportunities for depth and breadth in clinical experience

Terms:

- AEL - Associate Educator License (valid for three academic years)
- APPEL- SpEd - Alternate Path to Professional Educator Licensure - Special Education
- SpEd - Special Education
- USBE - Utah State Board of Education

Upon completion of the APPEL-SpEd program, participants will be recommended for SpEd Professional Educator Licensure. Your Associate Educator License is good for three academic years during which time you may be the Special Education teacher of record. You must finish all of the requirements during that time to receive your Professional Educator License in Special Education.

If you have questions, book an appointment using the APPEL-SpEd Questions online 30 minute consultation or email appel-sped@schools.utah.gov.

Getting Started

The prerequisites to apply for USBE’s APPEL-SpEd Program are the same as steps 1, 2, 3, and 4 in the Associate Educator License application checklist. Use the link here to complete steps 1, 2, 3, and 4.

Apply to the APPEL-SpEd Program (step 5 on the AEL checklist)

After you complete steps 1, 2, 3, and 4 of the AEL requirements, you are ready to apply to USBE’s APPEL-SpEd Program.

Apply to USBE’s APPEL-SpEd preparation program using the link below. You should have already spoken with an LEA and confirmed their willingness to sponsor you. Once the form is submitted, it usually takes 2-3 business days to process and prepare the Statement of Assurances. This document is then emailed to the applicant, administrators, and human resource director for signatures. After every required individual signs the Statement of Assurances verifying sponsorship, you will receive an enrollment letter into the APPEL-SpEd Program. You need the enrollment letter to apply for your AEL.

- - - APPEL-SpEd Application

Complete AEL Requirements

After applying to the APPEL-SpEd Program, you will finish steps 6, 7, and 8 on the AEL checklist found here.

*Please note step 5 on the AEL checklist is enrolling in an Educator Preparation Program (APPEL-SpEd) which you already did.

If you are working as a SpEd paraprofessional, you do not need a SpEd teaching position to move forward nor do you need an Associate SpEd License (AEL). If a paraprofessional chooses to apply for an AEL, please note the 3 year timeline starts when the AEL is awarded. This may be a problem in future employment.

Complete the APPEL-SpEd Program after receiving your AEL

- - Receive custom Professional Learning Plan (PLP) derived by the APPEL-SpEd team
  - Complete the requisite coursework and pedagogical performance assessments
  - Track Clinical Experience Hours
  - Work with a USBE approved LEA assigned mentor

Completing the requirements for your Professional Educator License could take up to three years depending on previous credentials.

REMINDER: USBE APPEL-SpEd is a licensure-only program and not a degree-granting program.

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