- Special and Early Education
- Graduate Programs
- Special Education Approval in Early Childhood
Special Education Approval in Early Childhood
This approval enables the holder to teach special education in pre-kindergarten. You must hold or obtain a Professional Educator License (PEL) endorsed in early childhood self-contained general education or special education LBS I.
Coursework
Content Area | Courses |
---|---|
Early childhood special education assessment | SESE 423/523 Observation and Assessment in Early Childhood Special Education |
Methods of instruction in early childhood special education | SESE 424/524 Methods and Strategies for Promoting Development and Teach Infants, Toddlers, and Young Children with Disabilities and Special Needs |
Child, family, and community relationships | SESE 426/526 Working with and Supporting Families of Young Children with Disabilities and Special Needs |
Development of language in the young child | COMD 220* Introduction to Communicative Disorders or LTLA 537 Acquisition of Spoken and Written Language |
*Only students who complete COMD 220 as undergraduates will receive credit for this course. Graduate students or students-at-large without COMD 220 as undergraduates must complete LTLA 537 Acquisition of Spoken and Written Language.
Note: All professional education and content-area coursework that forms part of an application for licensure, endorsement, or approval that is received on or after February 1, 2012, must have been passed with a grade no lower than C or equivalent in order to be counted toward fulfillment of the applicable requirements.
Early Intervention Credential
This coursework may be applied toward an early intervention credential to provide supports and services for families to help their children under age three meet developmental milestones. The early intervention credential can be added to a number of baccalaureate and masters degrees including a PEL endorsed in special education (LBS I), an Early Childhood Education, or a degree in Child Development.
Coursework
Content Area | Courses |
---|---|
Early childhood special education assessment | SESE 423/523 Observation and Assessment in Early Childhood Special Education |
Methods of instruction in early childhood special education | SESE 424/524 Methods and Strategies for Promoting Development and Teach Infants, Toddlers, and Young Children with Disabilities and Special Needs |
Child, family, and community relationships | SESE 426/526 Working with and Supporting Families of Young Children with Disabilities and Special Needs |
In addition to these courses, candidates for the early intervention credential will need:
- A course on child development (typical and atypical development).
- An overview of the Illinois Early Intervention System offered through the Illinois Early Intervention (EI) Training Program.
- Supervised field experience in working with infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families.
Registration Information
This coursework may be part of a master's degree program or independent of a degree program if you register as a student-at-large (SAL).
- Graduate Programs
- Early Childhood Education (M.S.Ed.)
- Special Education (M.S.Ed.)
- Special Education: Behavior Analysis (M.S.Ed.)
- Special Education: Visual Disabilities (M.S.Ed.)
- Assistive Technology Instructional Specialist for People with Visual Impairments (Certificate)
- Behavior Analyst (Certificate)
- Director of Special Education (Certificate)
- Early Childhood Special Education (Approval)
- Short-term Emergency Approval in Special Education (Approval)
- Special Education (Endorsement)
Contact Us
Graduate Advisor
Kate Donohue
Gabel Hall 161E
815-753-0381
cdonohue@niu.edu