What you will study
Early childhood educators play a significant role in ensuring children of varying
abilities can grow, learn and thrive in their classroom environments.
The graduate coursework you鈥檒l complete in this pathway will help you better understand
approaches to teaching special education for students who need additional support,
as well as the laws that protect students with disabilities in the classroom. Choose
from a variety of electives that align with your career goals, such as:
- Advanced Evaluation of the Exceptional Child
- Fundamentals of Autism Spectrum Disorders
Professional certification for early childhood educators
If you鈥檙e looking to obtain your early childhood education teacher certification,
an advisor will work with you to help you develop a plan, recommending classes and
experiential learning opportunities that will fulfill both your certification and
master鈥檚 degree in Early Childhood Education requirements.
Excellence in Early Childhood Education
- UCM has the longest continuous CAEP accreditation in the state
- A Best Value College for Elementary Education (College Factual, 2022)
- Top 15%: Most Focused Colleges for Education (College Factual, 2022)
- A Most Popular College for Teacher Education (College Factual, 2022)
- Top 10%: Most Popular Master鈥檚 Degree Colleges for Teacher Education Grade Specific (College
Factual, 2022)
- Top 6%: Most Popular Colleges for Education (College Factual, 2022)
- A Most Popular Master鈥檚 Degree College for Education (College Factual, 2022)
- Top 10%: Best Colleges for Education for Non-Traditional Students (College Factual, 2021)
- A Best Online Masters in Online Teaching Degree Programs (Intelligent, 2021)
- Top 50: Masters in Elementary Education Degree Programs (Most Flexible Admissions) (Intelligent,
2021)
- Among the Best Online Masters in Elementary Education Degree Programs by (Intelligent, 2021)
Unique learning opportunities in early childhood special education
At UCM, we believe that you learn best by doing. We strive to provide meaningful graduate
school experiences in the field that provide you with in-depth insights into teaching
special education and policy. While pursuing your Early Childhood Education degree
online, you鈥檒l have plenty of opportunities to put your learning into practice.
- Leadership opportunities: Our MSE in ECE - Special Education option helps early childhood educators teaching
in the classroom get better equipped to support and enhance learning for all classroom
learners.
- Diverse learning environments: Our experienced program faculty will show you how to apply your knowledge and skills
in early childhood centers, preschool settings and early elementary school classrooms.
- Educational strategies: Develop teaching tools and techniques to engage children with special needs in play-based
learning.
What can you do with an ECE master鈥檚 in Special Education from UCM?
Gain the knowledge and skills necessary to adapt curricula for diverse student populations,
manage individual education plans and adhere to special education law. UCM鈥檚 master鈥檚
in Early Childhood Education, with an emphasis in Special Education, prepares early
childhood educators to work in settings such as:
- Childcare centers
- Preschools
- Private schools
Careers in early childhood special education
At UCM, 95% of our Early Childhood Education students are hired before graduation.
Your master鈥檚 degree in Early Childhood Education from UCM increases your potential
to advance your career and earnings. Use the interactive tool below to learn more
about employment trends, projected growth and career pathways in early childhood education.
Financial assistance options for your MSE in Early Childhood Special Education
A UCM graduate degree in Early Childhood Education is a valuable investment in your
future. As a top-ranked university for low student debt, according to LendEDU, the
欧美视频 offers a variety of resources to help you finance your
graduate education.
Several scholarships are available to graduate students, including those enrolled
in UCM鈥檚 master鈥檚 in Early Childhood Education - Special Education degree program.
You may qualify for scholarship opportunities such as these:
- Graduate Student Achievement Award
- Dorothy Stockton Sims Scholarship for non-traditional graduate students
You may also qualify for scholarships within the College of Education. Use the to learn more about how to apply for these opportunities and more.
Meet Stephanie H.
MSE Early Childhood Education - Special Education 鈥20
鈥淲ith a learning disability in reading comprehension, I have a passion for early intervention
along with the understanding of what the parents and students might be experiencing
with learning difficulties. I can鈥檛 thank all of my UCM professors enough, especially
Dr. Tye, for helping me achieve what I thought was just a dream.鈥
Faculty Highlights
Student-centered approach
Our program faculty are all experienced former elementary school teachers who have
the knowledge and skills to help guide your program of studies and your career. They
will be your mentors and career advisors, helping you connect your professional experiences
to your graduate education.
Aligned to NAEYC Professional Standards
The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), a professional
membership organization, promotes high-quality early learning for young children.
Graduating from a program aligned to NAEYC standards shows potential employers and
parents that you have the knowledge and skills necessary to provide developmentally
appropriate educational experiences for children up to age 8.
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Student Learning Outcomes
With a Master of Science in Education degree in Early Childhood Education (ECE), you
will use the knowledge and skills obtained in the program to achieve the following
professional skills:
- Demonstrate and apply understandings of early childhood development, including theoretical
perspectives on how children learn through play collaborating with a diverse population
of peers to create meaning in today鈥檚 society.
- Acquire fundamental knowledge of a play-based curriculum for support and advocacy
in implementation in the early childhood setting.
- Develop a strong sense of ethical conduct within early childhood teaching, learning,
and business.
- Identify significant issues specific to early childhood education in research and
address through practice.
- Better understand the impact of pedagogy and exposure to diversity for teaching in
an increasingly complex and diverse society.
Admission Requirements
To be accepted into the Master of Science in Education in Early Childhood Education
(ECE) degree program, in the School of Teaching & Learning, you must: (a) have a minimum
cumulative undergraduate grade point average of 2.75; (b) submit proof of teacher
certification or professional endorsement from any of the 50 states or territories
and have graduated from a CAEP or regionally accredited university; (c) submit a copy
of your last summative teaching evaluation, or a letter from a school superintendent,
principal, director, or professor attesting to teaching skills and/or graduate studies
potential.
Required Core Courses
The following courses are required by all three options within the Master of Science
in Education degree in Early Childhood Education (ECE):
- ECEL 5710 Early Childhood Education: A Constructivist Approach (3 credit hours)
- ECEL 5740 Play in Early Childhood Education (3 credit hours)
- ECEL 5920 Childhood Research and Development (3 credit hours)
- CFD 5500 Research Methods (3 credit hours)
- CFD 4580 Resilience (3 credit hours)
- ECEL 5750 Curriculum and Pedagogy in Multicultural Education (3 credit hours)
- ECEL 5790 Collaborative Practice in Early Childhood Education (capstone) (3 credit
hours).
Leadership Option Courses
The Early Childhood Education Special Education option is concentrated on preparing
early childhood educators for teaching in inclusive childcare settings, or in early
childhood special education specifically. In addition to the core courses, you will
select three of these courses for this option:
- EDSP 5350 Evaluation of Students with Disabilities (3 credit hours)
- EDSP 5510 Fundamentals of ASD (3 credit hours)
- EDSP 5100 Intro to Research in Special Education (3 credit hours)
- EDAD 5120 School Law (3 credit hours)
- EDSP 5700 Advanced Organization and Administration of Special Education (3 credit
hours)
- EDSP 5200 Advanced Education of the Exceptional Child (3 credit hours)
- EDFL 5320 Curriculum Development and Assessment (3 credit hours)