Early Childhood Special Education (Certificate)

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Description
Program-Related Information
Program Website
Applying for Admission
- Standard requirements for all graduate programs
- Additional requirements specific to this program
Requirements

The Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) graduate certificate is a 12 credit hour program designed to provide educators and others with specialty coursework focused on young children birth to age 5 years who have developmental disabilities.

Description

This graduate certificate does not result in a teaching endorsement in ECSE.

The graduate certificate program is well-suited for educators who desire additional training for their current jobs as well as graduate students in related fields whose professions serve young children with disabilities. Non-teachers in fields such as physical, occupational or speech therapy, and psychology can enhance their work with young children and their families, further developing their professional skills and improving their marketability.

Teachers interested in adding ECSE specialization to their current teaching certificate should contact the ECSE Certificate Advisor who can provide information on an appropriate program of study leading to an ECSE endorsement.

Program-Related Information

Graduate Chair

Angela Dietsch
402-472-3956
angela.dietsch@unl.edu

Support Staff

Jill England
402-472-2141
jill.england@unl.edu

Program Website

https://cehs.unl.edu/secd/home/

Applying for Admission

Standard requirements for all graduate programs

Application for Admission with $50 non-refundable application fee.
Transcripts (unofficial): Uploaded as part of application form.
_{If International: Uploads must include all college- or university-level transcripts or mark sheets (records of courses and marks earned), with certiﬁcates, diplomas, and degrees plus certiﬁed English translations.}

_{After admission: Official documents are required from all students who are admitted and enroll. Photocopies of certiﬁed records are not acceptable. International students enrolled in other U.S. institutions may have certiﬁed copies of all foreign records sent directly to the Office of Graduate Studies by their current school’s registrar office.}
If applicant’s native language is not English, verification of English proficiency is required.
_{When sending TOEFL scores, our institution code is 6877 and a department code is not needed.}
If applicant is not a US citizen and expects an F or J visa: financial information.
Applicants must also fulfill any additional requirements the department specifies at the time of application.

Additional requirements specific to this program

Resume/CV: Preferred qualification: previous experience working in schools or community settings with young children or students with disabilities of any age.
Personal Statement: This statement should include your rationale for pursuing this Graduate Certificate, your interest and specific experiences with individuals in the associated population, and the reasons why you are interested in working with this population. There are no specific length requirements for the personal statement.
Faculty: Identify the faculty member(s) with whom you have discussed or will discuss this program.
Academic Eligibility: Overall GPA of 3.0 or higher (undergraduate and/or graduate). Completion of at least one course in special education with a grade of B or better.

Requirements

Complete 12 credit hours as listed below, (grade must be a B or better):

Course List
Code	Title	Credit Hours
Required Courses ^{(12 credits)}		12
SPED 860	Issues in Early Childhood Special Education	3
SPED 861	Infants with Disabilities and Home Visiting	3
or SPED 862	Preschool Children with Disabilities
SPED 866	Family and School Collaboration in Special Education	3
SPED 863	Medically Fragile infants	3
or SPED 882	Severe Multiple Disabilities: Methods