Early Childhood Special Education

Overview

Step into the high demand field of early childhood special education as a graduate of this master’s degree program, equipped with best-practice pedagogy and methodologies as well as expertise in the psychosocial and familial needs of exceptional children.In addition to coursework, students complete 104 hours of field experience within birth through grade 3 classrooms, in both special and general education environments. All courses are directly aligned with national teaching standards as prescribed by the Interstate Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium (InTASC), International Society for Technology in Education Standards for Teachers (ISTE-T), Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) and the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).This version of the Master of Education in Early Childhood Education and Early Childhood Special Education degree does not lead to initial teacher licensure. This program is recommended for educators seeking to enhance their career specialization or preparing for roles that do not require certification, such as within private or parochial organizations. Grand Canyon University also offers an initial licensure version of the Master of Education in Early Childhood Education and Early Childhood Special Education.Graduates of this early childhood special education graduate program are prepared as not only educators, but stewards of children. Learn to make ethical decisions in the classroom, as well as advocate at the school, district and policy level. Focus is placed on your ability to recognize and assess special needs, initiate family and community collaboration, and promote the education of young children with and without exceptionalities.

Careers

Graduates of the non-licensure Master of Education in Early Childhood Education and Early Childhood Special Education program are qualified to pursue many vocations including teaching, administration, program coordination and policy making. The non-licensure track is advantageous for those seeking roles that do not require teacher certification, including those within charter, private and early learning school environments. Other potential career paths include child development center leadership, family services and program consulting.