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Early Childhood Education - B.S.E.

Special Education Early Childhood (PK-5) Initial Licensure Preparation - Non-Degree

The Special Education Early Childhood (PK-5) Initial Licensure Preparation program prepares students to become licensed special education teachers for young children, providing the knowledge and skills necessary to create effective learning environments for all students. With a combination of coursework and field experiences, students will develop a deep understanding of how to address the unique needs of children with disabilities and promote their academic and social success.

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Initial Licensure Preparation in Special Education Early Childhood (PK-5)

Kent State University’s Initial Licensure Preparation in Special Education Early Childhood (PK-5) program is designed to equip aspiring educators with the skills and knowledge needed to teach young children with disabilities effectively. This comprehensive program combines rigorous coursework with hands-on field experiences, focusing on the development and implementation of individualized education plans (IEPs) and inclusive teaching strategies. Students learn to address the unique needs of diverse learners and foster a supportive classroom environment that promotes both academic and social-emotional growth. Upon completion, graduates are prepared to seek initial licensure and make a meaningful impact in the lives of young children with disabilities.

Program Information for Special Education Early Childhood (PK-5) Initial Licensure Preparation - Non-Degree

Program Description
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Full Description

The Special Education Early Childhood (PK-5) Initial Licensure Preparation non-degree program is designed for individuals who hold a bachelor's degree and want to work with young children with diverse learning abilities in a variety of special education settings, from pre-kindergarten through grade 5.

Completion of the coursework is a prerequisite to being recommended by Kent State University for an initial teaching license in Ohio Early Childhood Intervention Specialist (PK-5), which is granted by the Ohio Department of Education.

This program does not culminate in a master's degree. Students interested in a master's degree at Kent State must be fully admitted into and complete the requirements for the master's program, in addition to courses that are prescribed here for licensure.

Professional Licensure Disclosure

This program is designed to prepare students to sit for applicable licensure or certification in Ohio. If you plan to pursue licensure or certification in a state other than Ohio, please review state educational requirements for licensure or certification and contact information for state licensing boards at Kent State's website for professional licensure disclosure.

Admissions for Special Education Early Childhood (PK-5) Initial Licensure Preparation - Non-Degree

For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.

Admission Requirements

  • Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
  • Minimum 2.750 GPA on a 4.000-point scale
  • Official transcript(s)
  • Goal statement
  • Two letters of recommendation
  • Questions in Anticipation of Licensure form

Applicants are assessed holistically, considering academic credentials, academic or professional references, non-academic criteria and other specific program criteria.

Application Deadlines

  • Fall Semester
    • Priority deadline: July 1
  • Spring Semester
    • Priority deadline: December 1
  • Summer Term
    • Priority deadline: April 1

Applications submitted by these deadlines will receive the strongest consideration for admission.

Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

Completers of this program will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate knowledge of
    1. learner development and individual learning differences;
    2. the learning environment;
    3. curricular content knowledge;
    4. assessment; instructional planning and strategies; and
    5. professional practice and collaboration.
  2. Demonstrate the dispositions necessary to be a successful special education teacher/professional.
  3. Demonstrate preparation for the profession by successfully completing the Ohio Assessment for Educators (OAE) Special Education Assessment.
Coursework
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Program Requirements

Licensure Requirements

Licensure Requirements (min C/S grade required in all courses)
ASL 19201ELEMENTARY AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE I 4
CI 57501TEACHING MATHEMATICS IN EARLY AND MIDDLE GRADES 3
ECED 50302TEACHING PHONICS AND WORD STUDY 3
MCED 30002INTEGRATED SOCIAL STUDIES AND SCIENCE IN MIDDLE CHILDHOOD 3
SPED 24000INCLUSIVE PRACTICES 3
SPED 53040LANGUAGE AND READING IN SPECIAL EDUCATION 3
SPED 53062CURRICULUM METHODS MILD/MODERATE INTERVENTION 3
SPED 63950CURRICULUM AND INTERVENTION IN EARLY CHILDHOOD SERVICES 3
SPED 63952FAMILY AND PROFESSIONAL COLLABORATION IN EARLY CHILDHOOD 3
SPED 63954PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: TEAMING 3
SPED 63955TYPICAL AND ATYPICAL DEVELOPMENT IN YOUNG CHILDREN 3
SPED 63956FOUNDATIONS IN EARLY CHILDHOOD SERVICES 3
SPED 63957ASSESSMENT AND EVALUATION OF EARLY CHILDHOOD SERVICES 3
SPED 63992STUDENT TEACHING IN SPECIAL EDUCATION 18
SPED 64892ADVANCED PRACTICUM 3
SPED 64951DEVELOPING AN INDIVIDUALIZED FAMILY SERVICE PLAN AND INDIVIDUALIZED EDUCATION PROGRAM 3
SPED 69525INQUIRY PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE 3
Program Electives, choose from the following:6
CI 57504
TEACHING READING AND WRITING IN MIDDLE GRADES
ECED 50105
APPROPRIATE PHONICS INSTRUCTION FOR KINDERGARTEN AND PRIMARY CHILDREN
or ECED 50302
 TEACHING PHONICS AND WORD STUDY
ECED 50126
DEVELOPMENTAL READING AND WRITING: THE EARLY YEARS
or ECED 50402
 TEACHING READERS IN THE ELEMENTARY YEARS
MCED 50007
TEACHING READING WITH LITERATURE IN MIDDLE CHILDHOOD
Minimum Total Credit Hours:63
1

Student teaching is taken after completion of all licensure coursework and in conjunction with SPED 69525.Teacher candidates are only permitted to repeat a field experience course once. Please see Repeating Field Experience Courses in Teacher Education Programs policy for details.

Graduation Requirements

Minimum Major GPA Minimum Overall GPA
3.000 3.000

Licensure Information

Candidates seeking Ohio teaching licensure are required to pass specific requirements in order to apply for licensure from the Ohio Department of Education. Students should consult the Special Education Department for specific program requirements and refer to the Ohio Department of Education - Educator Preparation website for more information on assessments specific to licensure type.

Program Delivery
  • Delivery:
    • In person
  • Location:
    • Kent Campus

Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries for Special Education Early Childhood (PK-5) Initial Licensure Preparation - Non-Degree

Graduates with a Special Education Early Childhood (PK-5) Licensure can pursue a variety of rewarding careers dedicated to supporting young children with disabilities. They may work as special education teachers in preschool or elementary settings, implementing tailored instructional strategies to meet individual learning needs. Other career options include roles as early intervention specialists, providing support to families and children in community settings, and behavior analysts, focusing on positive behavioral interventions. Graduates can also explore positions in educational advocacy, program development, and administration within early childhood education organizations, promoting inclusive practices and equitable access to education for all children.

Special education teachers, preschool

8.3%

much faster than the average

23,000

number of jobs

$61,400

potential earnings

Notice: Career Information Source
* Source of occupation titles and labor data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook. Data comprises projected percent change in employment over the next 10 years; nation-wide employment numbers; and the yearly median wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.
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