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MA, Early Childhood Education and Early Childhood Special Education, Birth to Grade 2, Initial Certification

The 45-credit MA in Early Childhood Education and Special Education, Birth–Grade 2 (Initial Certification) trains prospective teachers to be reflective practitioners, building strong relationships and providing responsive support for students of all ages. You’ll be immersed in thoughtful discussions and interactions around the critical contemporary issues in early childhood education,  developing the essential pedagogical skills to create rich, child-centered learning environments that enable children to grow and prosper in all areas. 

This program is open to participants who have a bachelor’s degree but who are not yet certified to teach.

Core Course Sequence

You’ll take foundational coursework in the foundations of literacy development, the intersection of bilingual and exceptional children, and in fundamental areas of research and practice like learning, knowledge and knowing, teachers and teaching, schools and schooling. A specialized pedagogical core provides cutting-edge instruction in learning environments, methods of instruction, and assessment for students with disabilities. The degree program culminates in observation, fieldwork, and student teaching where you’ll gain hands-on experience and feedback.

Program Requirements

Course Title Credits
General Pedagogical Core
LITC-GE 2001Foundations of Literacy Development in Childhood/Early Childhood3
TCHL-GE 2010Inquiries Into Teaching & Learning III3
BILED-GE 2103Bilingual Exceptional Children3
Specialized Pedagogical Courses - Early Childhood
ECED-GE 2017Human Development and Education3
ECED-GE 2314Curriculum Development in Science and Social Studies3
CHDED-GE 2055Integrated Arts in Childhood & Early Education3
MTHED-GE 2115Teaching Elementary School Mathematics: Foundations and Concept Development3
Specialized Pedagogical Courses - Special Education
SPCED-GE 2124Historical and Contemporary Issues in Special Educ Policy, Research and Practice3
SPCED-GE 2127Disability, Diversity, and Equity in Family, School, and Community3
SPCED-GE 2160Methods of Instruction for Children with High Incidence Disabilities3
SPCED-GE 2136Assessment for Students with Disabilities3
SPCED-GE 2052Methods of Instruction for Children with Low Incidence Disabilities3
SPCED-GE 2108Learning Environments, Behavior, and Students with Disabilities3
Observation, Fieldwork, and Student Teaching
ECED-GE 2901Student Teaching in Early Childhood Settings3
SPCED-GE 2902Student Teaching in Early Childhood Special Education Settings3
TCHL-GE 2999Drug, Alcohol Ed/Child Abuse ID/School Violence/DASA:0
Total Credits45

Sample Plan of Study

Plan of Study Grid
1st Semester/TermCredits
SPCED-GE 2124 Historical and Contemporary Issues in Special Educ Policy, Research and Practice 3
ECED-GE 2017 Human Development and Education 3
TCHL-GE 2010 Inquiries Into Teaching & Learning III 3
 Credits9
2nd Semester/Term
ECED-GE 2314 Curriculum Development in Science and Social Studies 3
SPCED-GE 2127 Disability, Diversity, and Equity in Family, School, and Community 3
SPCED-GE 2160 Methods of Instruction for Children with High Incidence Disabilities 3
ECED-GE 2901Student Teaching in Early Childhood I 3
TCHL-GE 2999 Drug, Alcohol Ed/Child Abuse ID/School Violence/DASA: 0
 Credits12
3rd Semester/Term
SPCED-GE 2136 Assessment for Students with Disabilities 1 3
 Credits3
4th Semester/Term
SPCED-GE 2108 Learning Environments, Behavior, and Students with Disabilities 3
LITC-GE 2001 Foundations of Literacy Development in Childhood/Early Childhood 3
MTHED-GE 2115 Teaching Elementary School Mathematics: Foundations and Concept Development 3
SPCED-GE 2902 Student Teaching in Early Childhood Special Education Settings 3
CHDED-GE 2055 Integrated Arts in Childhood & Early Education 3
 Credits15
5th Semester/Term
BILED-GE 2103 Bilingual Exceptional Children 3
SPCED-GE 2052 Methods of Instruction for Children with Low Incidence Disabilities 3
 Credits6
 Total Credits45
1

This course is taken in January.

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