The Masters of Early Childhood Special Education Program was designed to provide specialized pre-service training for current and future early interventionists and early childhood special educators. The program assumes that all infants, toddlers and preschoolers who experience disabilities and their families have the right to receive support and services from qualified interventionists and educators which will improve their lives.

The Early Childhood Special Education program is designed for professionals who are particularly interested in children in the age range birth through 5 years of age. The master’s degree is 36 credits of which 6 credits are an advanced internship.

By completing this program, taking 2 additional courses required by the State, and meeting the criteria stated below, candidates can now receive an Institutional Recommendation for an Alaskan teaching certificate with endorsement in Special Education birth to 5. Candidates with a teaching certificate who meet the following criteria will receive an institutional recommendation for an endorsement.

• EDSE A620Y Advanced Internship - placement in public school for at least 3 credits
• Experience teaching preschool special education in a public school
• Extensive field experience in a preschool special education public school setting

The course emphasis will be on the needs, characteristics, and assessment of special children from birth through five, on interventions and family collaboration.

Important Notice about Planning a Practicum or Internship:
The CASE application deadline for the Fall semester is March 1st and October 1st for the Spring semester. Students applying for an Institutional Recommendation (IR) must have their degree posted on their UAA transcripts before applying for graduation. 

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
There are two different admission requirements; one for UAA and one for the COE program.