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What you will study

UCM’s Early Childhood Special Education degree program provides a well-rounded college education along with training on working with young children with special needs. Many classes offer hands-on experience in local schools. Your coursework for the major in Special Education for early childhood may include:

• Acquisition of Language and Literacy: By understanding the theory and typical progression of language learning, you’ll be equipped to fully evaluate children’s progress.
• Behavioral Management Techniques: If you’re interested in earning a bachelor’s degree in Special Education, you may have some idea of the range of physical and emotional behaviors exhibited by children with developmental disabilities. This course will teach you practical approaches to safely and compassionately manage their behavior. 
• Curriculum and Methods for Teaching Early Childhood Special Education: This core course of our Special Education Teaching degree teaches research-based pedagogy for young children with special needs. Learn to design curricula and use educational methods that will help your students achieve successful learning and developmental outcomes.

 

 

Unique learning opportunities in early childhood special education

The University of Central Missouri has been training educators since our founding more than 150 years ago. We’ve learned that experience is indeed often the best teacher, and as a major in Special Education for Early Childhood here, you’ll benefit from our focus on hands-on learning. With our small class sizes, our close-knit campus community and caring mentorship from our expert faculty, you’ll thrive as a student and as an individual:

• Get involved in the community: Join UCM’s Student Council of Exceptional Children to meet more students in our Special Education programs, network with local professionals and support individuals in the school and local communities who have special education needs.
• Introductory field experience: Ground your studies — and your expectations for your career — in invaluable practical experience. Early on in the Early Childhood Special Education degree program you’ll have opportunities to observe and learn from public school classrooms and educators.
• Gain real-world teaching experience: Throughout the program for your bachelor’s degree in Special Education, you’ll have ample opportunities to apply your new knowledge in a real classroom environment. Your studies for your Early Childhood Special Education degree culminate in a student teaching semester.

 

What can you do with an Early Childhood Special Education Teaching degree from UCM?

A UCM Early Childhood Special Education degree leads to Missouri state licensure. This teaching certification qualifies you to work with and educate children who have developmental delays or disabilities, from birth through third grade. You’ll be able to work in self-contained early childhood special education classrooms (pre-kindergarten through third grade) as well as in other school and learning environments, including the home.

One of the most effective ways to work with very young children with special needs is through Missouri’s First Steps program. Providing early intervention for infants and toddlers with developmental delays or disabilities is the best way to set them up for future success.

Your bachelor’s degree in Special Education with a concentration in Early Childhood Special Education is an ideal qualification for working with First Steps. Transform families by helping their children learn essential skills, including crawling, eating, talking and playing.

Early childhood special education careers

Use our interactive tool below to learn more about job trends and salary potential for UCM graduates with a bachelor’s degree in Special Education.

 

 

Financial assistance options for your Early Childhood Special Education Teaching degree

The University of Central Missouri is committed to offering high-quality education at accessible rates. Our Early Childhood Special Education degree program, fully accredited and respected across the state, is one of the best value programs in the country.

To assist you with financing your college education, UCM offers dedicated financial aid advisors and a variety of programs, including work-study, loans, scholarships and grants.

We distribute financial aid to more than 90% of our undergraduate students. These robust, university-wide resources are augmented by program-specific awards. As a major in Special Education in the Early Childhood concentration, you may be eligible for these additional funds:

• Coonley-Guth Scholarship in Special Education
• Dr. Don Rice Scholarship in Special Education
• Cleary Scholarship in Special Education

Learn more about scholarships specific to UCM’s Special Education programs by using the .