Help young children with developmental delays and disabilities succeed

In the early childhood special education (ECSE) program, you'll prepare to teach young children, birth through age six, with a variety of developmental delays and disabilities. You'll leave the program with the skills to: identify the need for early intervention, provide research-based services to children and their families in their home, school, and community settings, and, ultimately, help children and families successfully transition to kindergarten.

Rated #9 in the nation among special education graduate programs by U.S. News & World Report in 2019

Coursework

All classes are offered in the evening to allow students to maintain full time employment while completing course requirements. Most courses are taught in person on the Minneapolis campus. Some online classes are available.

The ECSE licensure program with a MEd in Special Education requires the completion of about 45 credits. For completion of a MEd only without licensure, 30 credits are required, with opportunities to select courses suited to your interests. Your total number of required credits may vary based on previous educational experience or areas of licensure.

Download a sample plan of an ESCE course schedule.
Note: This plan is an example only. You'll work with your advisor to develop a couse schedule specific to your needs.

Required courses for MEd (2 credits)

• EPSY 5690 – Experimental Teaching Seminar: MEd Culminating Project (2cr)

Core courses (19 credits)

• EPSY 5613 – Foundations of Special Education (3cr)
• EPSY 5609 – Family-Centered Services (3cr)
• EPSY 5614W – Assessment and Due Process in Special Education (3cr)
• EPSY 5616W – Classroom Management and Behavior Analytic Problem Solving (3cr)
• EPsy 5631 – Module 1: Introduction to Augmentative and Alternative Communication (1cr)
• EPSY 5618 – Specialized Interventions for Students with Mild/Moderate Disabilities in Reading and Written Expression (3cr)
• EPSY 5705 – Practicum in ECSE / Elementary Settings (1cr)

Required ECSE licensure courses (12 credits)

• EPsy 5625 – Education of Infants, Toddlers, and Preschool Children with Disabilities: Introduction (2cr)
• EPsy 5681 – Education of Preschool Children With Disabilities: Methods and Materials (3cr)
• EPsy 5682 – Education of Infants and Toddlers With Disabilities: Methods and Materials (1cr)
• EPsy 5761 – Student Teaching in Early Childhood Special Education Settings for Children Aged Three to Five Years (3cr)
• EPsy 5762 – Student Teaching in Early Childhood Special Education for Children Aged Birth to Three Years (3cr)