Early Childhood Special Education, MEd
Program Overview
Early Childhood Special Education, MEd
The Master of Education program in early childhood special education is designed for students who hold a bachelor's degree in a noneducation field. The program prepares students to work with young children who have a disability or who are at risk of developing one.
Program Description
This transformative program equips students to support children with disabilities. Students learn about child development theories, refine family engagement skills, and craft inclusive learning environments. The program enables students to become compassionate leaders, shaping the future of education.
At a Glance
- College/school: Mary Lou Fulton College for Teaching and Learning Innovation
- Location: Online
- STEM-OPT extension eligible: No
Accelerated Program Options
This program allows students to obtain both a bachelor's and a master's degree in as little as five years. Accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree programs are designed for high-achieving students who want the opportunity to share undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework to accelerate completion of their master's degree.
Degree Requirements
- 32 credit hours, including the required applied project course (ECS 593)
- Required Core (9 credit hours)
- EED 532 Literacy Methods of Instruction and Assessment for Diverse Learners (3)
- TEL 517 Creating Equitable Learning Environment: Decision Making and Action (3)
- TEL 531 Foundations of Literacy: The Science of Reading (3)
- Other Requirements (17 credit hours)
- ECD 527 Mathematics in Early Childhood Education (3)
- ECD 565 Appropriate Instructional Methodologies for Young Children (3)
- ECS 520 Evaluation and Intervention Strategies for Infants, Toddlers and Preschoolers with Disabilities (3)
- ECS 549 Foundations of Typical and Atypical Growth and Development (3)
- SPE 502 Language and Communication Methods and Assessment (2)
- SPE 558 Special Education Foundations: Law, IEPs, Assessment and Ethical Practice (3)
- Electives (3 credit hours)
- Culminating Experience (3 credit hours)
- ECS 593 Applied Project (3 credit hours)
Admission Requirements
- General university admission requirements: All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
- Applicants must have earned a bachelor's or master's degree from a regionally accredited institution.
- Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.
- Applicants are required to submit:
- graduate admission application and application fee
- official transcripts
- personal statement
- professional resume
- three letters of recommendation
- proof of English proficiency
Tuition Information
When it comes to paying for higher education, everyone’s situation is different. Students can learn about ASU tuition and financial aid options to find out which will work best for them.
Attend Online
ASU offers this program in an online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year.
Career Opportunities
Program graduates are prepared to work in early childhood education centers and nonprofit organizations. Careers in these settings include:
- childcare workers
- child, family and school social workers
- educational guidance counselors and advisors
- education and childcare administrators
- noncertified teachers for children birth through grade 3
- social and human service assistants
- social and community service managers
Additional Information
- The master's degree program does not lead to teacher certification. Students interested in certification should enroll in the MEd in early childhood special education with a concentration in teacher certification or in the teacher certification graduate certificate program.
- An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of current residency.
- The three letters of recommendation can be from either professional or academic sources.