This Early Childhood Education/Special Education (ECSP) program is designed to assist students in becoming highly qualified, competent, and effective teachers of all learners. The program has an emphasis on best practices in both early childhood education (preK to grade 4) and special education (preK to grade 12). Students in this program will meet the academic requirements for Pennsylvania certification in preK to grade 4, as well as special education preK to grade 12.
This program, combining course work in both early childhood education and special education with extensive field experiences, prepares students to be professional educators who are well qualified to utilize appropriate techniques and strategies to expand all children’s cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development. Field experiences will take place in a variety of settings encompassing diverse learning needs as well as learners in birth to grade 3 classrooms, preschool classrooms, K-1 classrooms, and classrooms in grades 2-4 and special education experiences preK to grade 12.
Admission to this program requires entering students to meet the guidelines for admission to the College of Education and Communications . Additionally, students must achieve a 3.0 GPA to apply for Step 1 of the Teacher Education process to enroll in major courses, to student teach, and to be recommended for certification. Students must meet the requirements leading to teacher certification as outlined in this catalog.