Online Master of Education in Early Childhood Special Education

Throughout this early childhood special education degree, you’ll master the skills necessary to support and educate young children, including those with exceptionalities. You’ll also gain a deep understanding of child development theories and best practices, learn about both typical and atypical child development and the use of research-based interventions and develop skills in assessing and planning instruction for young learners. Your training will enable you to design inclusive, developmentally appropriate curricula and foster positive relationships with families and community organizations. These skills will prepare you for a variety of roles in educational settings that don’t require public school certification, enhancing your ability to support child growth and community collaboration effectively.

Who’s an ideal candidate for this master’s in early childhood special education?

You may be an ideal candidate for this program if you possess a bachelor's degree and are eager to deepen your expertise in working with children from birth to age eight or grade three. This program suits individuals currently engaged in educational settings, such as schools or nonprofits, where you interact with young children who are at risk or experiencing developmental delays. Additionally, you should have access to children within this age range in a professional or community setting to fulfill the practical requirements of the coursework.

This program isn’t suited for those who’ve already completed a teacher preparation program in early childhood or special education, as it covers similar ground. If you're looking to broaden your knowledge and skills in early childhood special education without pursuing teacher certification, this program is designed for you. Alternatively, if you’re interested in becoming certified, check out our Master of Education in early childhood special education – teacher certification program.