Education

David O. McKay School of Education

The David O. McKay School of Education includes five departments, all of which prepare professionals to provide education and other developmental services for preschool through adult learners. All departments and programs emphasize a balance of academic learning and on-site classroom, clinical, or administrative experience.

Administration

Dean: Kendra Hall-Kenyon
Associate Dean: Sarah A. Clark
Associate Dean: Charles R. Graham
Assistant Dean: Jeanna M. Nichols

Contact Information: 

301 MCKB

801-422-3694

WEBSITE

Advisement Center: 

350 MCKB

801-422-3426

WEBSITE

Departments

• Communication Disorders

• Counseling Psychology and Special Education

• Educational Leadership and Foundations

• Instructional Psychology and Technology

• Teacher Education

Departments and Programs

1. Communication Disorders: service to children, youth, and adults who need support with aspects of speech, language, or audiology

2. Counseling Psychology and Special Education: service to children, youth, and adults with needs for counseling or disability support

3. Educational Leadership and Foundations: service as leaders and administrators in a variety of educational settings (graduate level only)

4. Instructional Psychology and Technology: service in instructional design, technology-based instruction, and classroom technology integration (graduate level only)

5. Teacher Education: preparation for service as teachers

   • Early Childhood, preschool through third grade

   • Elementary, kindergarten through sixth grade

   • Physical education teaching and coaching, kindergarten through twelfth grade

   Note: All other secondary teaching majors are housed in the colleges and content areas they represent.

Advisement Center

The McKay School's Education Advisement Center includes a variety of services to meet students' needs, which include the following:

1. Academic Advising. Advisement includes general education, program requirements for McKay School majors, graduation requirements, and progress toward graduation, as well as licensure guidance (350 McKay Building, 801-422-3426). Secondary education majors receive advisement on specific program requirements in the colleges and departments of their content-area majors.

2. Scholarships. The advisement center coordinates a variety of private scholarships and mentorships. An online application is available at education.byu.edu/advisement.

3. Licensure. Students who complete the requirements of a teaching program are recommended by the advisement center for licensure in Utah and states with reciprocity agreements. The center guides students in the procedures and submits the completed applications and supporting data. Guidance may be provided for obtaining out-of-state licensure.

Distinguishing Features of the McKay School

1. Undergraduates in all McKay School departments have opportunities to participate in mentored research with faculty.

2. Elementary education majors have the option to complete a minor in Teaching English as a Second Language, preparing them for state certification in this area (which will attach to their teaching license). 

3. Through the McKay School's ARTS Partnership, elementary education majors with experience in visual arts, music, dance, or drama can attend performances, workshops, and participatory events that involve teaching and integrating the arts into elementary school curriculum. Those who wish to become "arts scholars" collaborate with teachers in elementary classrooms.

4. Alternative student teaching placements are available in urban, minority-intensive areas of Houston, Texas, or Washington, D.C. during the fall and winter semesters; and in southern China during the spring/summer terms.

5. As an alternative to regular student teaching, seniors in some teaching majors may choose a year-long internship within the BYU/Public School Partnership in which they teach full time in their own classrooms at one-half the beginning teacher's salary with full benefits.