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  • Early Childhood Education (Accelerated B.S.Ed./M.Ed. in Special Education)
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Accelerated Early Childhood & Special Ed Degree

B.S.Ed. and M.Ed.

Graduate with a B.S. in early childhood education and M.Ed. in special education in 3 years.

Special education teachers are in very high demand. UND graduates from the early childhood education program enjoy a 100% employment rate. Get ready to address the educational needs of children under the age of eight, in a variety of settings.

Program type:
Accelerated (Bachelor’s and Master’s)
Format:
Online
Est. time to complete:
3 years
Credit hours:
84
  • Requirements
  • Tuition & Aid
  • Why UND Online?
  • How to Apply

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Why combine degrees in early childhood and special education?

Application Deadlines
Fall:
Aug. 15
Spring:
Dec. 15
Summer:
May 1

 

Students seeking the accelerated degree may apply to the School of Graduate Studies after completing 60 credits.

Graduate Application Deadlines
Fall:
July 1st
Spring:
Nov. 1st
Summer:
April 1st

If you're an international student, refer to the international application process for deadlines.

With the accelerated online program, you'll gain a bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education, Special Education minor, and master’s in Special Education with specialization in Early Childhood Special Education. Upon degree completion, you will be eligible for licensure in Early Childhood Education and Early Childhood Special Education. 

As you earn your early childhood education/Early childhood special education degree online, you'll:

  • Focus on children in the context of family, culture and community.
  • Explore developmentally appropriate practices, emergent curriculum, descriptive assessment, and problem-solving approaches to resolving conflict and choices for children.
  • Learn how to screen and assess young children with disabilities and program plan using research supported interventions.
  • Develop interdisciplinary collaborative skills when working with families and colleagues in early intervention and early childhood special education programs.
  • Learn online from an interdisciplinary group of faculty members with extensive experience as practitioners, professors and researchers.

How does an accelerated online education program work?

Early Childhood Education B.S. + Special Education Minor + Special Education M.Ed. with a specialization in Early Childhood Education

The online degree programs M.Ed. in Special Education or M.S. in Early Childhood Education allows those with an associate’s degree in education or currently enrolled undergraduate students at UND an opportunity to complete the requirements for both the bachelor’s and master’s degrees at an accelerated pace. Undergraduates with 60 credits or those currently in an Education degree program are eligible for consideration for the accelerated degree program.

All requirements for the undergraduate and graduate degrees must be met. You may double count up to 12 graduate-level credits towards the requirements for your undergraduate degree and your M.Ed. degree. You must obtain your M.Ed. degree within 12 months of completing your undergraduate degree, provided that the degree requirements can be completed in that time frame.

Accredited Online Special Education Degree

Teacher education programs at UND are accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). The online program follows the guidelines of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).

Online Early Childhood Education Program

  • Enjoy the affordability of in-state tuition, regardless of where you live.

  • Be part of the NDMTSS Social Emotional Learning Network. You’ll share experiences, celebrate successes, and problem-solve perceived barriers related to social emotional learning.

  • Join the Early Childhood Education Student Organization (ECESO).

  • Students have direct involvement with children in more than 60% of the courses.

  • The degree emphasizes scholarly application for practitioners, and students may continue their education and pursue a Doctor of Education.

  • Be more competitive and get a higher paying job with the accelerated program. Learn more about the program benefits.

Careers in Special Education

100%

Graduates employed in positions related to their UND early childhood education degree

UND

61K

Median annual wage for special education teachers

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Teacher's License

You'll be eligible for licensure to teach in North Dakota after successfully completing a Bachelor of Science in Education (B.S.Ed.) with an overall grade point average of at least 2.75, passing state licensure exams and meeting the state's legal requirements with a satisfactory background check.

If seeking a license, you should apply to the North Dakota Education Standards and Practices Board prior to graduation. If you're interested in a teacher license from states other than North Dakota, contact the Advising Office for the College of Education & Human Development.

When You Earn a Degree in Early Childhood Education - Special Education

An Early Childhood Education degree gives you the strategic skills you need, including:

  • Curriculum Development
  • Lesson Planning
  • Strategic Planning
  • Child Development

You'll graduate with limitless career opportunities and a solid foundation for working with children ranging in age from 0-8 years old. Students with a special education degree can teach and be a leader in:

  • Public schools (PreK and kindergarten through third grade)
  • Early Head Start
  • Child care and education centers
  • Administration/Director

Online Special Education Courses

T&L 313. Language Development and Emerging Literacy. 3 Credits.

This course examines both typical and atypical development of language and thought in children ages birth-8. Children's emergent literacy is studied within the context of language development.There will be a minimum of eight hours of field experience. Prerequisite: Admission to the Teacher Education program. F.

SPED 512. Methods and Materials for Preschool Children with Special Needs. 3 Credits.

A comprehensive study of curricula, program development and evidence-based intervention strategies for including young children (ages three to six) with special needs in early childhood settings. Prerequisite: Admission to one of the master's programs in special education. S.

SPED 510. Introduction to Early Childhood Special Education. 3 Credits.

An introduction to the field of Early Childhood Special Education, primarily for students interested in entering the field. Issues such as program design, parent involvement, identification, infant education, and effects of disabilities will be covered. F,S,SS.

SPED 514. Intervention Strategies with Infants and Toddlers. 3 Credits.

This course provides for study into the unique needs of infants and toddlers with disabilities as well as the delivery of intervention services to the very young child with disabilities and his/her family. SS.

SPED 511. Identification and Assessment of Young Children with Special Needs. 3 Credits.

A study of the principles and procedures for screening, identifying and evaluating young children with special needs. Emphasis will be placed on exposing students to available assessment instruments and providing opportunities for actual testing of preschoolers. Prerequisite: Admission to one of the master's programs in special education.

SPED 578. Behavior Management. 3 Credits.

The study of a variety of effective behavior management and assessment techniques appropriate to the needs of children and youth with special needs. Topics include procedures to increase self-awareness, self-management, self-control, self-reliance, self-esteem, and assessment procedures and techniques for determining behavioral needs. Prerequisite: Admission to one of the master's programs in special education. F,S,SS.

Teacher helping young student write

Best Online Education Program

UND has one of the best online education programs in the Upper Midwest.

15 best affordable schools in north dakota for bachelor’s degree 2020

Learning to Lead

After earning his master's degree in Special Education, Dennis Bolda is now a Special Education Strategist. 

 

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Explore More Options

Connect with the education faculty you'll work with at UND or explore other education opportunities.

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