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Masters in Integrated Early Childhood Education

The Integrated Early Childhood Education program is designed for students who wish to serve infants, toddlers, and young children (birth through kindergarten) with a wide range of needs, in home, community, and school settings.

Program Overview

The program provides students with opportunities to become expert service providers and effective leaders for young children with and without disabilities. It combines content in the areas of early childhood education and development and early childhood special education/early intervention, offering individualized preparation for highly qualified students who have completed undergraduate programs in related areas.

Program Highlights

• 3639 credit hour program (4851 with ABA add-on)
• Licensure and endorsement pathways for early childhood education
• Hands-on field experiences in inclusive settings
• Faculty-led research in early childhood and early childhood special education
• Training centers focused on data-based instruction, decision-making, and evidence-based practices
• Opportunities to improve academic, social, and communication outcomes for children with disabilities
• Tuition and stipend support available

Applying to the M.Ed. in Integrated Early Childhood Education

• Faculty Admission Representative: Jennifer Ledford
• Admissions Coordinator: Katherine Prioletti
• Admission Term: Fall
• Credit Hours: 36-39 credit hours (48-51 credit hours with ABA add-on)

Key Application Dates

• Priority Decision 1: December 1
• Priority Decision 2: January 3
• Rolling Decision: After January 3

M.Ed. in Integrated Early Childhood Education Coursework

Required Courses

• Core Courses
  • SPED 7000 Education and Psychology of Exceptional Learners
  • SPED 7400 Management Procedures for Academic and Social Behaviors
  • SPED 8810 Introduction to Single Case Research
• IEC Courses
  • EDUC 6090 Integrated Early Childhood Curriculum
  • EDUC 6110 Learning Ecologies I: Equity, Access, and Inclusion in Context
  • SPEDE 7100 Collaborating with Families of Young Children
  • SPEDE 7400 Instruction for Young Learners
  • SPEDE 7450 Screening and Assessment of Young Learners
  • SPEDE 7610 Advanced Procedures in Classroom Management and Social Skills Instruction for Young Learners
  • SPEDE 7800 Speech and Language for Exceptional Learners
• Field Experiences
  • SPEDE 7951 Fieldwork in Integrated Early Childhood Education
  • SPEDE 7953 Advanced Fieldwork in Early Childhood Special Education
  • SPEDE 7991 Extended Student Teaching for Graduate Candidates
• Elective Courses
  • SLP 5323 Communication in Autism Spectrum Disorders
  • SPEDE 7960 Reading and Research in Special Education (Independent studies)
  • SPED 7990 Master's Thesis in Special Education
  • SPED 7989 Specialty Project in Special Education

Career Opportunities in Integrated Early Childhood Education

Graduates of this program go into teaching, early intervention, consultant, and leadership positions in home, school, and community settings. Most students receive tuition and stipend support for a significant portion of their program of study.

Early Childhood Education Career Outcomes

• Pre-kindergarten teacher
• Kindergarten teacher
• Head Start teacher
• Early childhood special education teacher
• Early interventionist
• Early childhood behavioral consultant
• Behavior analyst (with ABA add-on)

Integrated Early Childhood Education Program FAQs

• Is a masters in early childhood education worth it?
  • Yes, the M.Ed. in Integrated Early Childhood Education equips students with research-based strategies, hands-on experience, and licensure pathways, helping them make a meaningful impact on childrens learning and development while advancing their career potential.
• What ages and settings does the M.Ed. in Early Childhood Education prepare students to work with?
  • The program trains students to serve infants, toddlers, and young children (birth through kindergarten) in home, community, and school settings, including inclusive classrooms.
• Is there an option to earn an applied behavior analysis certification?
  • Students may apply to complete the ABA training program to receive a specialization, enhancing career opportunities as a behavior analyst or consultant.
• Can students earn licensure through this program?
  • Yes, the program includes licensure and endorsement pathways for early childhood education, preparing graduates to teach in various educational settings.
• How long is the M.Ed. in Early Childhood Education?
  • The program requires 3639 credit hours. Students completing the Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) specialization take 4851 credit hours.
• Do students need a background in early childhood education to apply?
  • Applicants should have an undergraduate degree in early childhood education, special education, or a related field. Prior teaching experience is helpful but not required.
• What special education career opportunities are available after graduation?
  • Graduates pursue roles such as pre-kindergarten teacher, kindergarten teacher, Head Start teacher, early childhood special education teacher, early interventionist, early childhood behavioral consultant, or behavior analyst (with ABA specialization).

Funding and Scholarships

Through college scholarships, research grants, and a fellowship program with the Susan Gray School, students may receive partial tuition remission, as well as stipend support. Some funding may be available for training via the Office of Special Education Programs. No additional application is needed. All scholars will be considered for these funds during the admissions application review.

Teacher Pathway Scholarship

The Teacher Pathway scholarship guarantees a minimum 30 percent scholarship to all admitted students in initial licensure programs and advanced programs, and a minimum 20 percent scholarship for teacher leadership programs.

Research Labs

• Hemmeter Lab
• Kid Talk
• Preschool and Early Elementary Learning Lab

Faculty

• Mary Louise Hemmeter, Professor, Department of Special Education, Nicholas Hobbs Chair, Department of Special Education
• Ann Kaiser, Susan W. Gray Professor of Education and Human Development, Department of Special Education
• Kiersten Kinder, Assistant Professor of the Practice, Early Childhood Special Education, Department of Special Education
• Jennifer Ledford, Associate Professor, Department of Special Education