The Bachelor of Science Degree in Early Childhood (Pre-K-3rd) & Early Childhood Special Education (birth through age 8) (EC/ECSE) is an intensive, cross-departmental (Departments of Counseling, Higher Education and Special Education and Human Development and Quantitative Methodology) teacher education program for individuals who are interested in teaching young children with and without disabilities.
The UMD EC/ECSE program is evidence-based, building on the research emanating from its two sponsoring departments, on development, learning, pedagogy, and disabilities. In addition to the growing numbers of young children with recognized disabilities, a unique focus of the program is an emphasis on preparing teachers to work with young children who are culturally and linguistically diverse and at environmental risk due to poverty, immigrant status, and other contextual factors. Such factors add an additional set of challenges to narrowing the achievement gap among young children.
Mission Statement. The mission of the Early Childhood/Early Childhood Special Education program is to prepare knowledgeable and skilled teachers who utilize theory, research and pedagogy, to respectfully and responsively teach and positively affect the lives of children, with and without disabilities, who are diverse in culture and socioeconomic status.
Rationale for the Program. Based upon strong departmental research agendas, as well as national and state standards for Early Childhood and Early Childhood Special Education teacher education programs, the EC/ECSE curriculum has been developed around 6 core themes:
- Child Development, (typically developing and atypically developing), Learning and Intervention
- Children in the context of families and communities
- Assessment (developmental and classroom-based)
- Integrated content courses focused on Common Core State Standards
- Culturally responsive and differentiated pedagogy
- Inquiry and reflection
Program Curriculum. The Early Childhood/Early Childhood Special Education (EC/ECSEE) program is divided into two phases: Pre-Professional and Professional course-work. During the first two years, freshman and sophomore students complete a series of courses to build a foundation of EC/ECSE. Upon completion of these courses, students apply for formal admission to the EC/ECSE Professional program. During the Professional program, students continue to take courses while moving into the internship phases. Throughout the program students have the opportunity to be placed in several field experiences culminating in a year-long internship in both an inclusive Early Childhood classroom and an Early Childhood Special Education setting.
In addition to content based methods and child development courses, as well as an action research course, students will complete a number of courses focused on special education and learning of young children who face challenges such as poverty, immigrant status and other contextual factors. It should be noted that although some courses focus solely on issues related to young children with disabilities (e.g., assessment for special education eligibility), most courses include strategies for enhancing the participation and learning of young children with disabilities (e.g., Universal Design for Learning).
Practicum Experiences
Application of knowledge and skill development will occur during three semesters of early field experiences followed by internships in culturally diverse, Title I Professional Development School (PDS) in an urban community or Early Childhood Center (for infants, toddlers and preschoolers with special needs).
Professional Program. The Professional Program in Teacher Education is the phase in which all Education students take advanced courses in teaching strategies, methods of teaching and educational support. Also this is the part of the program where students complete their field experience through their teaching internship. Students will go through an application process in order to start taking the professional courses.
For information on undergraduate admission to the University, please click here.
Once admitted to the University, students in the College of Education must meet the Selective Admissions requirements in order to proceed into the Professional portion of the Early Childhood/Early Childhood Special Education program. The Selective Admissions requirements for the Early Childhood/Early Childhood Education program are as follows:
Academic Requirements
- Completion of a minimum of 45 credits
- Cumulative UMD GPA of 2.75 or higher; 3.0 GPA is recommended for best consideration
- Completion of lower-level Fundamental English requirement with a “C-” (2.0) or better
- Completion of lower-level Fundamental Math requirement with a “C-” (2.0) or better
- Minimum passing scores on a Basic Skills Tests (see advisor for details)
Gateway Courses
- Satisfactory completion of EDHD 220 with a “B-” (3.0) or better
- Satisfactory completion of the following courses with a 2.7 GPA:
- MATH 212 – Elements of Mathematics
- MATH 213 – Elements of Geometry
- 4-Credit CORE Physical Science with Lab course (PL)
- 4-Credit CORE Biological Science with Lab course (LL)
Experiential Requirements
- Prior experience in the education field with youth in the age range you intend to teach
- A written goal statement
- Two letters of recommendation (one must be from a faculty member or instructor in your content area)
- Satisfactory rating on the College of Education Foundational Competencies/Model Code of Ethics for Educators
STEP ONE: Apply for undergraduate admission to the University.
Once admitted to the University, proceed to Step Two after working with a COE Academic Advisor.
STEP TWO: Please submit your application to the Professional Teacher Education Program online.
Please contact the Office of Student Services, ed-advising@umd.edu or 301-405-2364.
For a list of the College of Education Scholarship opportunities please click here.
Who to contact:
Dr. Christy Tirrell-Corbin
Director
College of Education
3304 Benjamin Building
College Park, MD 20742
ecepds@umd.edu