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CURRICULUM

Program Requirements (33 credits)

This program of graduate study can be completed in 24 months by taking two courses per semester.
(Click here for grid of course offerings)

Major: (21 credits)		Semester Offered
SPED 510	Early Intervention for Children with Special Needs	SS	2 credits
T&L 526	Play in Development and Early Childhood Education	S	2 credits
T&L 527	Curricular Foundations in Early Childhood Education	F	3 credits
T&L 529	Language Development in Children	SS	3 credits
T&L 530	Foundations of Reading and Instruction	F	3 credits
T&L 553	Collaborative Relationships: Home, School, and Community	F,S	3 credits
T&L 580	Practicum: Early Childhood Education	F,S,SS	3 credits
T&L 995	Scholarly Project OR	SS	2 credits
T&L 997	Independent Study	SS	2 credits
Scholarly Tools: (6 credits)
EFR 509	Introduction to Educational Research	S,SS	3 credits
T&L 569	Action Research	F	3 credits
Possible Electives (Advisor Approved): (6 credits)
SPED 509	Development of an IEP	S	1 credit
SPED 511	Identification: Assessment of Young Children with Special Needs	F	3 credits
SPED 512	Methods and Materials for Preschool Children with Special Needs	S	3 credits
SPED 560	Intro to ASD	F, S, SS	2 credits
SPED 566	ASD-Intensive Early Intervention	SS	3 credits
T&L 590	Legal, Ethical Aspects in Special Education	S	3 credits
EFR 500	Foundations of Educational Thought		3 credits
EFR 505	Social Foundations of Education		3 credits

Electives can be taken in other departments with approval (Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, and others).

In addition to course work, supervised practicum experiences are available for graduate students at the University Children's Center and at other preschool centers in the community. Graduate students who have concentrated in Early Childhood Education typically have found employment in preschool and public school programs and at colleges and universities.

Below is the suggested Master's degree plan for full-time students in the Early Childhood Education program.

Full Time Online (24 months):

First Semester (Fall) (6 credits)
T&L 527	Curricular Foundations in Early Childhood Education	3 cr
T&L 553	Collaborative Relationships: Home, School & Community	3 cr
Second Semester (Spring) (5 credits)
T&L 526	Play in Development and Early Childhood Education	2 cr
T&L	Elective	3 cr
Third Semester (Summer) (6 credits)
T&L 529	Language Development in Children	3 cr
SPED 510	Early Intervention for Children with Special Needs	3 cr
Fourth Semester (Fall) (6 credits)
T&L 530	Foundations of Reading Instruction	3 cr
EFR 509	Introduction to Educational Research	3 cr
Fifth Semester (Spring) (5 credits)
T&L 569	Action Research	2 cr
T&L	Elective	3 cr
Sixth Semester (Summer) (5 credits)
T&L 997	Independent Study	2 cr
T&L 580	Practicum in Schools	3 cr
	Full Time Total:	33 credits

COURSE DESCRIPTONS

SPED510 Early Intervention for Children with Special Needs. 2 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.

SPED511 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.

SPED512 Methods and Materials for Preschool Children with Special Needs. 3 credits. A comprehensive study of curricula, program development and intervention strategies for disabled children ages birth to 6.

TL526 Play in Development and Early Childhood Education. 2 credits. The play of children has long been viewed as essential to developmental processes. In addition, education has recognized the need to incorporate play into programs. This course explores the relationship of play to development (cognitive, physical and emotional), and the way in which play has been incorporated in programmatic settings.

TL527 Curricular Foundations in Early Childhood Education. 3 credits. This course examines the historical, philosophical, cultural, race, class, and gender influences on curriculum in early childhood, including the philosophy and mission of the Department of Teaching and Learning.

TL529 Language Development in Children. 3 credits. This course provides foundational information and a sense of appreciation for language, and information necessary for the development of language rich interactions with young children.

TL530 Foundations of Reading Instruction. 3 credits. A study of developmental reading instruction. Emphasis is placed on the psycholinguistic process of teaching and learning, critiquing historical and current research, and the instructional approaches each supports.

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TL553 Collaborative Relationships: Home, School and Community. 3 credits. A course appropriate for anyone working with families, early childhood educators, general educators, special educators, related service personnel, administrators and outside agency personnel. Topics covered include: (1) the various models of collaboration and consultation and the stages of each; (2) communication skills; (3) problem-solving; (4) conflict management; (5) diverse perspectives; (6) information collection procedures; (7) supervisory skills; (8) family characteristics and structure across the lifespan; (9) family focused intervention; (10) school choices; and (11) school issues such as poverty, domestic violence, teasing, bullying, and school violence.

SPED560 Introduction to Autistic Spectrum Disorder. 2 credits.Prerequisite: Completed degree from a related field of study, e.g., education, special education, speech and language pathology, occupational therapy, physical therapy, social work, nursing, medicine, or seniors who have completed T&L 315, Education of the Exceptional Student, and are completing an undergraduate degree from a related field of study. This is the introductory course in a sequence of interdisciplinary courses focusing on autistic spectrum disorder. Its central purpose is to encourage parents and care givers of individuals with autistic spectrum disorder to engage in reflective thinking about and critical analysis of the many and varied issues, e.g., identification, educational placement, effective treatments, vocational training, related to the provision of quality lifelong supports for these individuals.

SPED566  ASD Intensive Early Intervention. 2 credits.  This is an elective course in the sequence of interdisciplinary courses focusing on children with autistic spectrum disorder ( ASD) birth to age six. Topics addressed will include basic characteristics of children with ASD Birth to age six, the developmental implications for these children and their families, and research supported early interventions utilizing a family centered approach with an emphasis on natural learning opportunities.

TL569 Action Research. 3 credits. Prerequisite: graduate status. The study of the philosophy and methods of action research. Emphasis is focused on analysis of and reflection on one’s teaching for the purpose of improvements in student learning.

TL580 Practicum in Schools. 3 credits. Prerequisites: Appropriate foundational and major area courses, and consent of the instructor and advisor. Practicum in study of desirable school practices, observations in nearby schools, and application of research findings in solving practical problems. May be repeated.

TL590 Legal Ethical Aspects in Special Education. 3 credits. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor or advisor. Exploration of special topics in the study of education not regularly included in available course offerings. May be repeated for different topics.

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Last Updated: 11/19/09