Arizona State University’s online Master of Education in early childhood special education offers a comprehensive curriculum focusing on family and community collaboration, early childhood development and special education practices. You'll learn to assess, plan and monitor the progress of young children, incorporating effective practices for engaging with families. With a strong foundation in child development theories and best practices, you'll graduate prepared to make a meaningful impact on the lives of young children with exceptionalities and their families in roles such as non-certified teaching, educational administration, social services, curriculum development and more.
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Quick facts
Next start date: 08/22/2024
Total classes: 11
Weeks per class: 7.5–15
Total credit hours: 32
Degree questions, answered.
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Gain expertise in early childhood development and special education
Throughout this early childhood special education degree, you’ll master the skills necessary to support and educate young children, including those with exceptionalities. You’ll also gain a deep understanding of child development theories and best practices, learn about both typical and atypical child development and the use of research-based interventions and develop skills in assessing and planning instruction for young learners. Your training will enable you to design inclusive, developmentally appropriate curricula and foster positive relationships with families and community organizations. These skills will prepare you for a variety of roles in educational settings that don’t require public school certification, enhancing your ability to support child growth and community collaboration effectively.
Who’s an ideal candidate for this master’s in early childhood special education?
You may be an ideal candidate for this program if you possess a bachelor's degree and are eager to deepen your expertise in working with children from birth to age eight or grade three. This program suits individuals currently engaged in educational settings, such as schools or nonprofits, where you interact with young children who are at risk or experiencing developmental delays. Additionally, you should have access to children within this age range in a professional or community setting to fulfill the practical requirements of the coursework.
This program isn’t suited for those who’ve already completed a teacher preparation program in early childhood or special education, as it covers similar ground. If you're looking to broaden your knowledge and skills in early childhood special education without pursuing teacher certification, this program is designed for you. Alternatively, if you’re interested in becoming certified, check out our Master of Education in early childhood special education education – teacher certification program.
Will my diploma say ‘online’?
No, Arizona State University’s diplomas don’t specify whether you earn your degree online or in person. All diplomas and transcripts simply say “Arizona State University.”
Early childhood special education degree courses
Throughout this program, you'll complete a 32-credit curriculum that directly applies to your work in diverse settings, such as private schools, charter schools, child care centers and nonprofits. This flexible program doesn’t require relocation or field experience hours, allowing you to integrate your learning seamlessly into your current or future professional environment.
This program culminates with an applied project, where you’ll conduct research, implement interventions and synthesize findings. This capstone experience sharpens your research and problem-solving skills, empowering you to apply theoretical frameworks effectively and communicate the significance of your findings within a broader social and global context.
Core
Creating Equitable Learning Environment: Decision-Making and Action
Core
Evaluation and Intervention Strategies for Infants, Toddlers and Preschoolers with Disabilities
Core
Foundations of Literacy: The Science of Reading
Core
Foundations of Typical and Atypical Child Growth and Development
Core
Inclusive Instructional Methodologies for Young Children
Core
Language and Communication Methods and Assessment
Core
Literacy Methods of Instruction and Assessment for Diverse Learners
Core
Mathematics in Early Childhood Education
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The careers in education you’ll be prepared for
Upon graduation, you'll be well-equipped for a variety of roles in educational and community settings that don’t require teacher certification. You could pursue non-certified teaching positions or become a teaching assistant, specifically in special education environments, working with children from birth through grade three. Your expertise will also be valuable in leadership roles, such as education and childcare administration, or as social and community service managers. Potential career paths include, but aren’t limited to:
Childcare worker
Curriculum development manager
Early childhood family support advocate
Early intervention specialist
Education and childcare administrator
Instructional coach
Non-certified teacher with children from birth through grade 3
Quality assurance evaluator
Social and community service manager
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Earn your early childhood special education degree alongside teaching experts
The faculty of Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College draws from a range of academic disciplines – including cognitive science, psychology and economics – to gain insight into important questions about the process of learning, the practice of teaching and the effects of education policy. The faculty is committed to connecting research to schools and other learning environments. Our teacher and leadership preparation programs combine scholarly rigor with practical application.
Earn your early childhood special education degree alongside teaching experts
The faculty of Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College draws from a range of academic disciplines – including cognitive science, psychology and economics – to gain insight into important questions about the process of learning, the practice of teaching and the effects of education policy. The faculty is committed to connecting research to schools and other learning environments. Our teacher and leadership preparation programs combine scholarly rigor with practical application.
How to apply
Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College.
Join one of the best colleges of education in the nation
Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College brings people and ideas together to increase the capabilities of individual educators and the performance of education systems. According to U.S. News & World Report, Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College is the only U.S. college of education to rank in the top 15 in both on-campus and online graduate education degrees.
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Tuition calculator
Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students receive financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs. Learn more.
Estimate tuition and fees
Tuition calculator
Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students receive financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs. Learn more.
Estimate tuition and fees
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