Early Childhood Special Education: Online Master’s Degree

Degree details

This online program in early childhood special education is a 33-hour degree program, including 21 hours of course work specific to young children.

Early Childhood Special Education focus courses

The focus course work allows teachers and those working with young children to increase their knowledge and skills on how to effectively work with children with disabilities ages birth to 8. Courses cover:

• working with diverse groups of children and families
• implementing appropriate assessment methods
• creating inclusive classrooms
• promoting and enhancing language and early literacy development
• examining curriculum approaches based on current research.
• Implementing research-based intervention strategies
• Functional assessments of problem behavior and positive behavioral supports

Core course work

The core course work in this program includes study in learning theory, instructional technology, instructional leadership, instructional strategies, and research. Some of the core course work is provided by the Early Childhood Special Education courses.

Terminal or comprehensive project

Master of education candidates must complete a terminal project or summative experience at the end of the degree program. The department in which the candidate's major emphasis resides will determine the format of that experience (e.g. comprehensive exam, project, paper, presentation, portfolio or capstone experience). The candidate must be enrolled at the University during the semester in which a master's project is presented or completed.

Students may start the program as either post-baccalaureate (formerly non-degree- seeking) or degree-seeking.