Program Overview

Special Education Early Childhood (PK-5) Initial Licensure Preparation - Non-Degree

Overview

The Special Education Early Childhood (PK-5) Initial Licensure Preparation program prepares students to become licensed special education teachers for young children, providing the knowledge and skills necessary to create effective learning environments for all students. With a combination of coursework and field experiences, students will develop a deep understanding of how to address the unique needs of children with disabilities and promote their academic and social success.

Contact Information

• Sanna Harjusola-Webb |
• Ching I Chen |

Program Delivery

• Delivery: In person
• Location: Kent Campus

Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries

• Special education teachers, preschool
  • 8.3% much faster than the average
  • 23,000 number of jobs
  • $61,400 potential earnings

Admission Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
• Minimum 2.750 GPA on a 4.000-point scale
• Official transcript(s)
• Goal statement
• Two letters of recommendation
• Questions in Anticipation of Licensure form

Application Deadlines

• Fall Semester
  • Priority deadline: July 1
• Spring Semester
  • Priority deadline: December 1
• Summer Term
  • Priority deadline: April 1

Program Requirements

Licensure Requirements

• Course List Code | Title | Credit Hours
  • Licensure Requirements (min C/S grade required in all courses)
  • ASL 19201 | ELEMENTARY AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE I | 4
  • ECED 30201 | TEACHING EARLY READERS | 3
  • ECED 40401 | TEACHING SCIENCE AND SOCIAL STUDIES IN THE ELEMENTARY YEARS | 3
  • ECED 50303 | TEACHING MATHEMATICS IN THE ELEMENTARY YEARS I | 3
  • ECED 50403 | TEACHING WRITERS IN THE ELEMENTARY YEARS | 3
  • SPED 24000 | INCLUSIVE PRACTICES | 3
  • SPED 53040 | LANGUAGE AND READING IN SPECIAL EDUCATION | 3
  • SPED 53042 | INTENSIVE READING INTERVENTIONS AND PHONICS | 3
  • SPED 53062 | CURRICULUM METHODS MILD/MODERATE INTERVENTION | 3
  • SPED 53950 | CURRICULUM AND INTERVENTION IN EARLY CHILDHOOD SERVICES | 3
  • SPED 63952 | FAMILY AND PROFESSIONAL COLLABORATION IN EARLY CHILDHOOD | 3
  • SPED 63954 | PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: TEAMING | 3
  • SPED 63955 | TYPICAL AND ATYPICAL DEVELOPMENT IN YOUNG CHILDREN | 3
  • SPED 63956 | FOUNDATIONS IN EARLY CHILDHOOD SERVICES | 3
  • SPED 63957 | ASSESSMENT AND EVALUATION OF EARLY CHILDHOOD SERVICES | 3
  • SPED 63992 | STUDENT TEACHING IN SPECIAL EDUCATION 1 | 8
  • SPED 64892 | ADVANCED PRACTICUM | 3
  • SPED 64951 | DEVELOPING AN INDIVIDUALIZED FAMILY SERVICE PLAN AND INDIVIDUALIZED EDUCATION PROGRAM | 3
  • SPED 69525 | INQUIRY PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE | 3
  • Minimum Total Credit Hours: 63

Graduation Requirements

• Graduation Requirements Summary
  • Minimum Major GPA | Minimum Overall GPA
  • 3.000 | 3.000

Licensure Information

• Candidates seeking Ohio teaching licensure are required to pass specific requirements in order to apply for licensure from the Ohio Department of Education. Students should consult the Special Education Department for specific program requirements and refer to the Ohio Department of Education - Educator Preparation website for more information on assessments specific to licensure type.

Program Learning Outcomes

• Completers of this program will be able to:
  1. Demonstrate knowledge of
  2. learner development and individual learning differences;
  3. the learning environment;
  4. curricular content knowledge;
  5. assessment; instructional planning and strategies; and
  6. professional practice and collaboration.
  7. Demonstrate the dispositions necessary to be a successful special education teacher/professional.
  8. Demonstrate preparation for the profession by successfully completing the Ohio Assessment for Educators (OAE) Special Education Assessment.

Residence Requirement Policy for Non-Degree Teacher Education Licensure/Endorsement Preparation Programs

• Non-degree licensure (initial and additional) and endorsement programs that are a total of 15 credits or above: Students must complete 60% of the coursework at Kent State University, including the course that addresses the CAEP A.1.1 Standard as designated by the program area.
• Non-degree licensure (initial and additional) and endorsement programs that are less than 15 total credits: Students must complete 100% of the coursework at Kent State University.
• Students are permitted 6 years to complete licensure programs and 4 years to complete endorsement programs at Kent State University.
• Coursework transferred from another university cannot be more than 6 years old at the time the licensure/endorsement program is completed.
• Students who do not meet the residence requirements will not be recommended for licensure by Kent State University.

Full Description

• The Special Education Early Childhood (PK-5) Initial Licensure Preparation non-degree program is designed for individuals who hold a bachelor's degree and want to work with young children with diverse learning abilities in a variety of special education settings, from pre-kindergarten through grade 5.
• Completion of the coursework is a prerequisite to being recommended by Kent State University for an initial teaching license in Ohio Early Childhood Intervention Specialist (PK-5), which is granted by the Ohio Department of Education.
• This program does not culminate in a master's degree. Students interested in a master's degree at Kent State must be fully admitted into and complete the requirements for the master's program, in addition to courses that are prescribed here for licensure.

Professional Licensure Disclosure

• This program is designed to prepare students to sit for applicable licensure or certification in Ohio. If you plan to pursue licensure or certification in a state other than Ohio, please review state educational requirements for licensure or certification and contact information for state licensing boards at Kent State's website for professional licensure disclosure.