Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Special Education – Birth Through Kindergarten/Preschool Special Education
Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Special Education – Birth Through Kindergarten/Preschool Special Education
We’re targeting scholars who want to work with infants, toddlers and preschoolers with complex needs and their families and to be a part of an interdisciplinary team that provides those services.
Professor
Overview
The M.Ed. in Special Education is for students entering the master’s program who have completed undergraduate training in a teacher education field and who have a teaching certificate. This advanced program includes the study of research methods and findings that allow students to become skilled consumers.
Prepare to work with children birth through age 5 both with and without disabilities. The birth through kindergarten/preschool special education emphasis promotes developmentally appropriate inclusive and collaborative teaching practices. Our graduates specialize in providing engaging instruction and support to young children and their families. The special education program recommends to the Georgia Professional Standards Commission that a graduate be awarded a clear renewable teaching certificate in birth through kindergarten and preschool special education.
Training in this program prepares pre-service teachers to teach in inclusive early learning, preschool, prekindergarten, and kindergarten programs, along with early intervention (0-3) and preschool intervention (3-5) programs.
In this emphasis, coursework also includes:
- Infant/toddler development and teaching methods
- Preschool curriculum development
- Observation and assessment techniques
- Communication and language development
- Teaching methods for children with developmental delays
- Positive behavior supports
Accreditations
The University of Georgia is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award baccalaureate, master’s, specialist, and doctoral degrees. The University of Georgia also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of the University of Georgia may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).
Admissions
Admission Requirements
Professional preparation: Earned, or will have earned, a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution before the date of enrollment at the University of Georgia.
GPA: Minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 for all courses taken.
The state requires that all candidates have a minimum 2.5 GPA on undergraduate or previous graduate work. Go to the Georgia Professional Standards Commission website for details.
Online Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Special Education – Area of Emphasis – Birth through Kindergarten/Preschool Special Education (B-K) Application Checklist
- Application – Submit the Graduate School Admissions online. Application fee: $75 Domestic
- Select Campus – Online
- Select Degree Level – Masters
- Select Intended Program – MED, Special Education (Comm Sci and Special Ed) [MED_SPED_ONL]
- Select Area of Emphasis – Birth through Five/Preschool Special Education
- Select Intended Term – Summer, Fall, Spring
- Résumé or curriculum vita – Submit online to the Graduate School.
- Statement of Purpose – Submit a one-two page statement of purpose online to the Graduate School. The statement of intent should clarify the candidate’s relevant background, interests, and goals in relation to the program.
- Transcripts – Submit unofficial transcripts from all institutions attended as part of the online application. Send official transcripts after you are offered admission.
- Letters of Recommendation – Submit three letters of recommendation online to graduate school. Letters should be from individuals who can evaluate the applicant’s scholarly ability and potential for success in a graduate program.
Application Deadlines
Domestic Applications
- Summer: April 1
- Fall: April 1
- Spring: November 1
Cost
Tuition rates and student fees can change each year.
Based on 2024 credit hour cost, a person completing this program at the recommended pace would have paid $15,372 in tuition for a Georgia Resident and $ 42,552 in tuition for an out-of-state student.
Please use the Estimated Cost Calculator on the Bursar’s Office website to calculate one academic (Fall/Spring) year’s current tuition.
Online students pay the following fees: Connect UGA, Green, and Technology. The total for those fees in the fall semester of 2024 was $411 for students enrolled in exclusively online courses.
Additional costs may include:
- Textbooks
- Exam proctoring fees
- Technology upgrades
Financial Aid
Visit the Office of Student Financial Aid for information about financial assistance.
Corporate Assistance
Consult your employer about the availability of tuition reimbursement or tuition assistance programs.
Military Assistance
Active-duty military, veterans, and military families should visit Veterans Educational Benefits to take full advantage of available financial assistance and educational benefits.
Curriculum
The minimum 36 hours of coursework includes required courses and applied research individualized to the student’s career objectives. This allows students to gain advanced knowledge and skills in various special education topic areas and across the lifespan.
During the course of the program, all candidates will have an opportunity to work with children in one of the following grade bands: Infant–Toddler, Ages 3–4, and Kindergarten.
Master’s students are required to complete an “applied project” rather than a typical thesis. These projects consist of extensive research and writing a proposal while enrolled in an independent study course.
Once the proposal is approved by the student’s advisor, it is implemented. The project is completed “in the field” with participants. Completed works are presented to faculty.
For birth through kindergarten students, coursework includes:
- Infant/toddler development and teaching methods
- Preschool curriculum development
- Observation and assessment techniques
- Communication and language development
- Teaching methods for children with developmental delays
- Positive Behavior Supports
36 Credit hours
Core Courses (21 hours)
EDSE 7100E (3) Foundations & Assessment in Early Childhood Special Education
EDSE 7200E (3) Methods and Curriculum in Early Childhood Special Education
EDSE 7160E (3) Early Communication and Language Development in Young Children
EDSE 7170 (3) Programs and Curricula for Infants and Toddlers
EDSE 7180 (3) Programs and Curricula for children 3-5 years
EDSE 7050E (3) Positive Behavior Supports or EDSE 7230 Advanced Applied Behavior Analysis
Elective (3)
Research Courses (6 hours)
ERSH 6200/E (3) Methods of Research in Education
ERSH 6300E (3) Applied statistical Methods in Education OR ERSH (QUAL) 7500E (3) Action Research
Applied Practice and Research Project (6 hours)
EDSE 7650E, Applied Project (3 hours)
EDSE 7460E, Internship in Special Education or EDSE 7000
Comprehensive Exam
All students will take the Comprehensive Exam during their final semester in the program.
Faculty
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Contact Information
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