Program Overview

BSEd in Early Childhood Special Education

The BSEd in Early Childhood Special Education program at Loyola University Chicago is designed to provide students with the knowledge, skills, and professional values necessary to support children with special needs from birth to third grade in inclusive school environments.

Program Description

This program uses an apprenticeship approach, where students work directly with infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and school-aged children throughout their four years. Upon graduation, students will be fully licensed in both early childhood education and special education across the span of birth to age 8 and can work in general education, inclusive, or special education programs.

Knowledge

Students will develop a deep understanding of both content and pedagogy to provide developmentally appropriate instruction to all students. They will also be eligible for Illinois licensure in the following areas:

• Early childhood education for birth to age 8
• Early childhood special education for birth to age 8
• English as a Second Language (ESL)
• Early Intervention by the Illinois Department of Human Services and an Initial Credential in Developmental Therapy
• Level 5 Illinois Early Childhood Education and Infant/Toddler credentials

Skills

Students will have accrued the equivalent of one year of full-time teaching experience through hands-on, experiential learning opportunities in Chicago's classrooms and community organizations. They will be ready to be at the head of their own classroom and will utilize theories, data, and research practices when making decisions in their classroom and for their students.

Professional Values

As a Loyola-trained educator, students will emphasize the importance of each of their students as an individual. They will have high expectations for their students and value the experiences of diverse students. They will also have the tools and training to address societal issues like inequitable resources and institutional barriers to success for all.

Program Faculty

The dedicated Teaching and Learning Faculty are experts in their fields and will support students throughout each stage of the program.

Program Benefits

• Get extensive field experience in community organizations and classrooms, as well as with families
  • Graduate with eligibility for an English as a Second Language (ESL) endorsement
  • Graduate from a fully accredited college that prepares students for licensing and advanced board licensure
  • Continually collaborate with faculty and fellow ECSE majors at all levels within their chosen specialty through professional learning communities

Admission Requirements

The admission requirements for the program can be found through the Undergraduate Admission office.

Tuition, Financial Aid, and Scholarships

The School of Education and Loyola's Financial Aid Office are committed to helping students secure the necessary financial resources to make their education at Loyola affordable.

Program Structure

The program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive education in early childhood special education, including coursework, field experiences, and research opportunities. The program is fully accredited and prepares students for licensing and advanced board licensure.

Areas of Focus

The program focuses on the following areas:

• Early childhood education
• Special education
• English as a Second Language (ESL)
• Early Intervention
• Developmental Therapy
• Illinois Early Childhood Education and Infant/Toddler credentials

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the program will be qualified to work in a variety of settings, including:

• General education classrooms
• Inclusive classrooms
• Special education classrooms
• Community organizations
• Early childhood programs

Program Outcomes

The program is designed to prepare students to become highly effective educators who can support the learning and development of all students, including those with special needs. Graduates of the program will be able to:

• Provide developmentally appropriate instruction to all students
• Utilize theories, data, and research practices to inform their teaching
• Address societal issues like inequitable resources and institutional barriers to success for all students
• Collaborate with faculty and fellow ECSE majors to continually improve their practice.