BS in Early Childhood Education to Master of Science in Special Education
Accelerated Early Childhood Education to Early Childhood Special Education Teacher Pathway
The Accelerated Early Childhood Education to Early Childhood Special Education Teacher Pathway allows you to complete your bachelor and masters’ degree in a timely and efficient manner. This five-year plus one semester plan can also lead to teacher licenses in both Early Childhood Education (ECE) and Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE). The accelerated pathway provides you with an opportunity to earn your BS in Early Childhood Education degree and teaching license first so you can begin working in the field as you complete your MS in Special Education with an emphasis in Early Childhood Special Education.
Your First Graduate Course Could Be Free!
Scholarship funds may cover the cost of your first graduate-level class! Complete the Single Scholarship Application and indicate that you plan to enroll in an accelerated master’s program at MSUM. This funding is available for Spring 2024 and Summer 2024 courses only. Scholarships will be awarded on a first-come basis, so complete your scholarship application by the priority deadline of Dec. 15 and talk to your advisor about pursuing the accelerated graduate program. Full details of the Accelerated Graduate Program scholarship funds.
If you are interested in the Accelerated BS in Early Childhood & MS in Special Education pathway complete the online form.
Advantages of MSUM’s Accelerated Early Childhood to Early Childhood Special Education Teacher Online Degree Pathway
- The pathway leverages the Master of Special Education course credits to provide you with a head start on a special education teaching licensure.
- Students can take up to nine (9) MS in SPED credits while enrolled as an undergraduate student in the Early Childhood Education program.
- MS in SPED credits are completely online.
- Flexibility
- Nationally Accredited
- Expert Faculty
- Student-Centered Work with your MS in SPED advisor to develop the correct progression through the program for your schedule.
BS in Early Childhood Education & MS in Special Education Accelerated Program Example of Course Sequencing
- Program: Bachelor of Science Early Childhood Education & Master of Science Special Education
- Total Credits: 156 (120 undergraduate credits and 36 graduate credits)
- Catalog: 2023-2024
First Year
| Curriculum | Course | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall (1st Fall) | |||
| First-Year Experience Course | FYE 101 | First Year Experience | 1 |
| LASC Goal 1A | COMM 100 | Speech Communication | 3 |
| LASC Goal 1B | ENGL 101 | English Composition | 3 |
| Related Requirement: LASC Goal 4 | MATH 110 | Intro to Mathematics | 3 |
| Core Requirement: | STL 230 | Child Development | 3 |
| Core Requirement: | ED 205 | Intro to Education | 3 |
| Total Credits: 16 | |||
| Spring (1st Spring) | |||
| LASC Goal 2 | LASC 2 | 3 | |
| Related Requirement: LASC Goal 3 | GEOS 170 or PSCI 170 | Earth Science Today or Physical Science I | 3 |
| Core Requirement: | SPED 225 | Individuals with Exceptionalities | 3 |
| Core Requirement: | ED 294 | Educational Psychology | 3 |
| Core Requirement: | EECE 220 | Foundations of EC/EECE (Spring only) | 3 |
| Total Credits: 15 | |||
| Summer (1st Summer) | |||
| LASC Goal 6 | LASC 6 | 3 | |
| Total Credits: 3 | |||
Second Year
| Curriculum | Course | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall (2nd Fall) | |||
| LASC Goal 5 | LASC 5 | 3 | |
| LASC Goal 6 | LASC 6 | 3 | |
| LASC Goal 10 | BIOL 370 | Exploring Biology | 3 |
| Core Requirement: | EECE 275 | Effective Methods/Materials | 3 |
| Core Requirement: | STL 295 | Foundations of Language & Literacy | 3 |
| Total Credits: 15 | |||
| Spring (2nd Spring) | |||
| LASC Goal 8 | LASC 8 | 3 | |
| Related Requirement: | MATH 302 | Math for Early Childhood (Spring only) | 3 |
| Core Requirement: | STL 325 | Principles of Inclusive Responsive Teaching | 2 |
| LASC Goal 3 | LASC 3 | 3 | |
| LASC Goal 7 | LASC 7 | 3 | |
| Total Credits: 14 | |||
| Summer (2nd Summer) | |||
| LASC Goal 5 | 3 | ||
| Total Credits: 3 | |||
Third Year
| Curriculum | Course | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall (3rd Fall) | |||
| LASC Goal 9 | LASC 9 | 3 | |
| Core Requirement: | ED 310 | Social Foundations of Education | 3 |
| Core Requirement: | STL 365 | Responsive Teaching I | 3 |
| Core Requirement: | STL 380 | Models of Teaching & Assessment | 3 |
| Core Requirement: | STL 395 | Literacy Methods | 3 |
| Total Credits: 15 | |||
| Spring (3rd Spring) | |||
| Core Requirement: | STL 441 | Children's Literature | 3 |
| Core Requirement: | EECE 426 | Primary Methods | 3 |
| Core Requirement: | EECE 430 | Infant/Toddler Programs & Practices | 3 |
| Core Requirement: | EECE 420 | Kindergarten Methods | 3 |
| Core Requirement: | EECE 438 | Guidance and Play | 3 |
| Total Credits: 15 | |||
| Summer (3rd Summer) | |||
| MS in Special Education Core Requirement: | SPED 606 | Classroom & Schoolwide Positive Behavior Supports | 3 |
| MS in Special Education Core Requirement: | SPED 620 | Perspectives & Policies in Special Education | 3 |
| Total Credits: 6 | |||
Fourth Year
| Curriculum | Course | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall (4th Fall) | |||
| Core Requirement: | EECE 428 | Building Partnerships | 2 |
| Core Requirement: | EECE 433 | Preschool Curriculum & Methods | 3 |
| Core Requirement: | EECE 437 | Leadership/Admin in EC | 3 |
| Core Requirement: | STL 482 | Behavior, Trauma and Mental Health in the Classroom | 3 |
| Core Requirement: | EECE 481C | Student Teaching | 2 |
| Total Credits: 13 | |||
| Spring (4th Spring) | |||
| Core Requirement: | EECE 481E | Student Teaching | 12 |
| MS in Special Education Core Requirement: | SPED 601 | Advanced Assessment in Special Education: Birth-Age 21 | 3 |
| Total Credits: 15 | |||
| *Confer BS in Early Childhood Education degree | |||
| Apply to the MS in Special Education graduate program | |||
| Summer (4th Summer) | |||
| MS in Special Education Developmental Disabilities Requirement: | SPED 641 | Methods of Developmental Disabilities: Birth-Age 21 | 4 |
| MS in Special Education Core Requirement: | SPED 613 | Inclusive Teaching Practices | 3 |
| Total Credits: 7 | |||
Fifth Year
| Curriculum | Course | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall (5th Fall) | |||
| MS in Special Education Core Requirement: | SPED 664 | Theory & Process of Consultation & Collaboration | 3 |
| MS in Special Education Early Childhood Special Education Requirement: | SPED 523 | Foundation of Early Intervention/ECSE | 3 |
| Total Credits: 6 | |||
| Spring (5th Spring) | |||
| MS in Special Education Early Childhood Special Education Requirement: | SPED 526 | Fundamental Strategies for Early Intervention & ECSE | 3 |
| MS in Special Education Early Childhood Special Education Restricted Elective: | SPED 668E | Practicum: 3-5 | 3 |
| Total Credits: 6 | |||
| Summer (5th Summer) | |||
| MS in Special Education Core Requirement: | SPED 604 | Understanding Research, Research Methods & Data | 3 |
| MS in Special Education Early Childhood Special Education Restricted Elective: | SPED 668I | Practicum: Infant/Toddler | 3 |
| Total Credits: 6 | |||
Sixth Year
| Curriculum | Course | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall (6th Fall) | |||
| MS in Special Education Core Requirement: | SPED 696 | Capstone Project in Special Education | 2 |
| Total Credits: 2 | |||
| Graduate with MS in Special Education - Early Childhood Special Education | |||