Program Overview

Early Childhood Special Education (Certificate) (Online)

The Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) graduate certificate is a 12 credit hour program designed to provide educators and others with specialty coursework focused on young children birth to age 5 years who have developmental disabilities.

Description

This graduate certificate does not result in a teaching endorsement in ECSE. The graduate certificate program is well-suited for educators who desire additional training for their current jobs as well as graduate students in related fields whose professions serve young children with disabilities. Non-teachers in fields such as physical, occupational or speech therapy, and psychology can enhance their work with young children and their families, further developing their professional skills and improving their marketability.

Courses

No specific course list is provided.

Admission Requirements

• Application for Admission with $50 non-refundable application fee.
• Transcripts (unofficial): Uploaded as part of application form.
  • If International: Uploads must include all college- or university-level transcripts or mark sheets (records of courses and marks earned), with certificates, diplomas, and degrees plus certified English translations.
• Verification of English proficiency if the applicant's native language is not English.
• Financial information if the applicant is not a US citizen and expects an F or J visa.
• Applicants must also fulfill any additional requirements the department specifies at the time of application.

Additional Requirements Specific to This Program

• Resume/CV: Preferred qualification: previous experience working in schools or community settings with young children or students with disabilities of any age.
• Personal Statement: This statement should include the rationale for pursuing this Graduate Certificate, interest and specific experiences with individuals in the associated population, and the reasons why the applicant is interested in working with this population.
• Faculty: Identify the faculty member(s) with whom the applicant has discussed or will discuss this program.
• Academic Eligibility: Overall GPA of 3.0 or higher (undergraduate and/or graduate). Completion of at least one course in special education with a grade of B or better.

Department

Special Education and Communication Disorders

Graduate Chair

Angela Dietsch

Program Faculty

• Susan Loveall: Intellectual and Development Disabilities, Early Childhood Special Education, Downs Syndrome
• Ciara Ousley: Social Communication, Autism, Parent/Family Implemented Interventions, Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Interventions

Important Notes

Students enrolled in academic programs based entirely online are not eligible to apply for F-1 or J1 visas, per Department of Homeland Security regulations.