Which McKay School Major is Right for You?
- Student Ambassadors
- Jun 16
- 5 min read
Sarah Wilde
McKay Student Ambassador
Special Education (Severe/Profound Disabilities Emphasis)
Have you thought about teaching? Then you've come to the right place! With so many teaching majors, it can be hard to decide which one is right for you! In this post, I will go over the different teaching majors offered at the McKay School, what each major will certify you to teach, how the program works, and unique things about the major that makes it stand out from the rest. I will also link other blog posts you can read if you have questions about a specific major. While there are other teaching majors offered at BYU, I will only go over the four that are offered by the school of education.
Elementary Education
What you will be certified to teach: All subjects in grades K-6
How the program works: Once you have finished your prerequisites, you will have two semesters of practicum, which is when you are in the classroom part time and on campus part time. Your first semester of practicum will be in a classroom in grades K-3, and your second semester will be in a classroom grades 4-6. You will then student teach for a semester or intern full-time for a whole school year with your own classroom. Student teaching can be in a Fall or Winter semester, but an internship must begin in the fall.
Unique things about this major:
During your practicum semesters, you will go to your major classes for a few weeks, and then the public schools for a few weeks. You will do this twice, and then end the semester in your major classes!
The major overlaps with the TESOL minor (more info on that here) so much that it is only an additional three classes to earn the endorsement.
This is the biggest teaching major in the McKay School!
Links for further reading:
Early Childhood Education
What you will be certified to teach: All subjects in grades PreK-6
How the program works: Once you have finished your prerequisites, you will have two semesters of practicum, which is when you are in the classroom part time and on campus part time. Your first semester of practicum will be in a PreK or Kindergarten classroom, and your second semester will be in a public school classroom grades 1-3. You will then student teach for a semester or intern full-time for a whole school year with your own classroom. Student teaching can be in a Fall or Winter semester, but an internship must begin in the fall.
Unique things about this major:
Your first practicum will be done on campus! There is a lab school at the JFSB. You will go to the preschool during preschool hours, and then attend your major classes.
For your second practicum, you will attend your major classes on campus for the first half of the semester, and then be in the public school for the second half.
You will be in a cohort, which means you will have all your classes with the same people!
This major has two different emphases: Mild/Moderate Disabilities, and Severe/Profound Disabilities
The major overlaps with the TESOL minor (more info on that here) so much that it is only an additional three classes to earn the endorsement.
Links for further reading:
Physical Education Teaching/Coaching
What you will be certified to teach: PE in grades K-12 and Coaching for School Sports
How the program works: You will have three semesters of practicum, which is when you are in the classroom part time and on campus part time. Your first semester will be in an elementary school, your second semester will be in a middle school, and your third semester will be in a high school. While in your third semester, you also as also intern as a coach! You will then student teach for a semester or intern full-time for a whole school year with your own classroom. Student teaching can be in a Fall or Winter semester, but an internship must begin in the fall.
Unique things about this major:
You have more practicum than everyone else because of the wide age range you will be certified to teach!
You will attend your practicum as a class hour time block during each of your practicum semesters.
You will be certified to coach school sports!
If you decide to major in secondary education, there is a PETE minor you can complete which will still give you the PE/Coaching certification!
Links for further reading:
Special Education
What you will be certified to teach: Special Education in grades K-12
How the program works: Once you have finished your prerequisites, you will have two semesters of practicum, which is when you are in the classroom part time and on campus part time. Your first semester of practicum will be in an elementary aged classroom and your second semester will be split between a middle school classroom and a high school/post high school classroom. After that, there are two Spring term classes you will be required to take. You will then student teach for a semester, which can be completed in a Fall or Winter semester.
Unique things about this major:
During your practicum semesters, you will spend Monday and Wednesday in the public schools, and Tuesday and Thursday in your major classes.
You will be in a cohort, which means you will have all your classes with the same people!
The major overlaps with the TESOL minor (more info on that here) so much that it is only an additional two classes to earn the endorsement.
Links for further reading:
If you already know what teaching major is right for you, go ahead and meet with an advisor! Schedule an appointment here. If you still aren't quite sure, feel free to meet with one of us. Schedule with us here. If you want to stay updated on events and things happening in the McKay school, join our email list here! We can't wait to meet you!
HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT EDUCATION MAJORS?
Come meet with us! Schedule an appointment here. We would love to meet with you!
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