Early Childhood Special Education

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Graduate programs

Master of Science in Education, Early Childhood Special Education

Denise Cunningham, Program Director
Hill Hall, Room 121; Phone 417-836-3262
TLDS@MissouriState.edu
Education.MissouriState.edu/TLDS

Program Description

The Accelerated Master of Science in Education – Early Childhood Special Education is designed for students pursuing either a Special Education or Early Childhood Education undergraduate degree who want certification in Early Childhood Special Education. This degree will prepare candidates to serve eligible young children and their families through a model of collaboration with educators, related service personnel, health care workers and other community-based service providers. Successful candidates will be able to provide special education services in infant/toddler, preschool, or primary settings up to third grade

Admission Requirements for the Accelerated Master

  1. Junior status with a G.P.A. of 3.0 or better;
  2. Admission to Teacher Education;
  3. For early childhood education students, completion of CFD 260 (Observing, Assessing, & Implementing Activities for Young Children);
  4. For special education students, completion of SPE 345 (Educational Evaluation of Exceptional Students) and SPE 346 (Educational Evaluation of Exceptional Students Lab);
  5. Acceptance of the applicant by the graduate faculty of both the Special Education and Early Childhood Education under the accelerated master’s option.

Program Admission Procedure

In addition to the submission of the Graduate Application for Admission and application fee, the candidate must also submit the following materials.

  1. A letter of intent containing professional goals, future plans, background information, and professional experiences.
  2. Submission of two letters of recommendation from professionals familiar with the candidate’s academic abilities and potential.
  3. Completion of any required prerequisite courses or permission from the Graduate Director.
    • Students may transfer in no more than 6 credit hours that must be approved by the Graduate Director.
    • Students must complete a Program of Study with their advisor prior to completing 15 credit hours. Students and their advisor should monitor the online Degree Audit to ensure appropriate progress.

If accepted to the accelerated master’s program, up to 12 hours of course work may apply to both the undergraduate and graduate degrees. Mixed credit coursework varies by the undergraduate program.

Mixed Credit Courses for Early Childhood Education majors

Course Code

Course Title Credit Hours
CFD 660 Family Engagement 3 hrs
CFD 663 Admin. Of Programs for Children & Families 3 hrs
ECE 601 Home/School Community Relationships 3 hrs
SPE 623 Curriculum & Methods in ECSE 3 hrs
Mixed Credit Courses for Special Education majors

Course Code

Course Title Credit Hours
SPE 625 Introduction to Autism Spectrum Disorders 3 hrs
SPE 660 Working with Families of Exceptional Individuals 3 hrs
SPE 618
OR
SPE 787
Application of Applied Behavior Analysis & Intervention in Applied Settings
OR
Advanced Behavioral Analysis & Intervention
3 hrs
SPE 779 Application of Technology in Sp. Education Students with Mild/Moderate Disabilities- Lab 3 hrs

Program Requirements

Requirements for Early Childhood Education majors - 38 hours total

Mixed Credit Courses - 12 hours

Course Code Course Title Credit Hours
CFD 660 Family Engagement 3 hrs
CFD 663 Admin. Of Programs for Children & Families 3 hrs
ECE 601 Home/School/Community Relationships 3 hrs
SPE 623 Curriculum & Methods in ECSE 3 hrs

Additional required courses - 26 hours

Course Code Course Title Credit Hours
ECE 725 Inquiry in Early Childhood & Family Development 3 hrs
SPE 625 Introduction to Teaching & Assessing Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders 3 hrs
SPE 618
or
SPE 787
Application of Applied Behavior Analysis & Intervention in Applied Settings
or
Advanced Behavioral Analysis and Intervention
3 hrs
SPE 671 Clinical Practicum in Special Education 1 hr
SPE 779 Application of Technology in Special Education 3 hrs
SPE 782 Adv. Diagnosis & Remediation of Students with Mild/Moderate Disabilities 4 hrs
SPE 792 Adv. Diagnosis & Remediation of Students with Mild/Moderate Disabilities – Lab 2 hrs
SFR 780 Educational Research Methods 3 hrs
ECE 771 Proposal Development 1 hr
ECE 762 Seminar in Early Childhood & Fam. Development 3 hrs
Requirements for Special Education majors - 38 hours total

Mixed Credit Courses - 12 hours

Course Code Course Title Credit Hours
SPE 625 Introduction to Teaching & Assessing Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders 3 hrs
SPE 660 Working with Families of Exceptional Individuals 3 hrs
SPE 618
OR
SPE 787
Application of Applied Behavior Analysis & Intervention in Applied Settings
OR
Advanced Behavioral Analysis & Intervention
3 hrs
SPE 779 Application of Technology in Sp. Education Students with Mild/Moderate Disabilities- Lab 3 hrs

Additional required courses - 26 hours

Course Code Course Title Credit Hours
CFD 600 Health, Safety and Nutrition for Young Children 3 hrs
CFD 663 Admin. of Programs for Children and Families 3 hrs
CFD 705 Growth and Development: Infancy through Early Childhood 3 hrs
ECE 725 Inquiry in Early Childhood & Family Development 3 hrs
ECE 731 Adv. Curriculum for Early Childhood Education 3 hrs
SPE 623 Curriculum and Methods in ECSE 3 hrs
SPE 671 Clinical Practicum in Special Education 1 hr
SFR 780 Educational Research Methods 3 hrs
ECE 771 Proposal Development 1 hr
ECE 762 Seminar in Early Childhood & Fam. Development 3 hrs

Research Requirement

The Master of Science in Early Childhood Special Education will require a seminar paper or thesis. The seminar paper can be a creative project, (e.g., curriculum development, program evaluation,) and the thesis will be a five chapter paper using original data. The seminar paper/thesis will be proposed in ECE 771 (Proposal Development) and completed in ECE 762 (Seminar in Early Childhood & Family Development).

Field Experience

There are field experiences required in SPE 618 (Application of Applied Behavior Analysis and Intervention in Applied Settings) and/or SPE 787 (Advanced Behavior Analysis and Intervention), SPE 671 (Clinical Practicum in Special Education) and SPE 792 (Adv. Diagnosis & Remediation of Students with Mild/Moderate Disabilities – Lab).

Comprehensive Examination

A comprehensive examination must be passed by the candidate before a degree will be granted. Specific requirements for the comprehensive examination will be determined by the graduate faculty for the program.