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Online M.Ed. in Special Education: Early Intervention – Early Childhood Concentration

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100% Online

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33 Credits

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$567/cr.

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Rolling Amissions

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No GRE/GMAT Required*

*Check your state’s Department of Education requirements to determine if testing is required.

About the Program

The online M.Ed. in Special Education with a concentration in Early Intervention – Early Childhood gives you the skills to prepare children five and younger with a range of special needs and their families for success. You’ll learn to use the latest evidence-based strategies and advanced teaching methods, support and nourish family relationships, collaborate with other professionals, and gain hands-on teaching experience. By understanding how to apply best practices, you can effectively provide young children with disabilities with the critical developmental and educational experiences essential to thrive.

Contact Us

Have questions about earning your M.Ed. in Special Education online with UMaine? Contact a UMaineOnline advisor.

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Amanda Cupps, M.Ed.

UMaineOnline Senior Advisor

207.370.4199 amanda.cupps@maine.edu

Schedule a Meeting

Student Experiences

…it was all online which allows the flexibility of working and maintaining my daily responsibilities while completing course work at my convenience.
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Jill H.
As a full-time working mother of a young child, this program afforded me the time and flexibility I needed to be successful.
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Melinda C.
Due to the flexibility of the online program, I was able to go to school and continue to be a great, mom, wife, and career woman.
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Shawna G.

Curriculum

Our curriculum explores every element of the early intervention environment. Courses provide the foundations of early intervention professional practice in various areas. Throughout the program, you’ll work closely with a faculty advisor to ensure the program meets your needs

The following courses are required (33 credits):

  • SED 505: Infant and Toddler Development (3 credits) Fall
  • SED 506: Assessment and Program Planning in Early Childhood Intervention (3 credits) Spring
  • SED 511: Specially Designed Instruction Within Inclusive Early Childhood Classrooms (3 credits) Fall
  • SED 513: Early Childhood Intervention/Special Education Individualized Practicum (1-6 credits)
  • SED 514: Administration and Public Policy for Early Childhood Programs (3 credits) Fall and Spring
  • SED 516: Seminar and Practicum in Collaborative Consultation (3 credits) Every other Spring
  • SED 517: Servings Infants and Toddlers in Natural Environments (3 credits) Spring
  • SED 524: Literacy and Language Development (3 credits)
  • SED 529: Developmentally Appropriate Reading Instruction for Diverse Young Learners (3 credits) Spring and every other Summer
  • SED 532: Behavior Management and Intervention (3 credits) Spring and Summer
  • SED 598: Special Topics in Special Education: Partnerships with Diverse Families: Culturally Responsive Teaching and Interactions (3 credits) Fall, Spring, and Summer
  • Note: Students seeking certification in Maine must take SED 500: Adapting Instruction for Students with Disabilities (3 credits) and a multicultural course in addition to the program of study.
  • Note: To complete the course requirements, you must work or volunteer with young children from birth to five years old.
Printable Program of Study Course Schedule View All Special Education Courses

Admissions

We have rolling admissions, so you can apply and be accepted into the program anytime. However, the following priority deadlines are recommended:

  • Fall Semester: May 10
  • Spring Semester: November 1
  • Summer Semester: April 1

Applications will still be reviewed after these dates, but acceptance may be deferred for the next semester.

A maximum of 6 credits of graduate coursework from another institution or 12 credits from the University of Maine can be transferred into the student’s program. Factors determining if credits can be transferred can include how recently the course was taken and its equivalency to courses in the program. However, graduate courses taken as an undergraduate cannot be transferred into the M.Ed. program. To be transferred, courses must be approved by the Special Education faculty during the application process.

  • A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college/university with a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
  • Three credits of Teaching Early Childhood Special Education
  • Three credits in one of the following topics: human development, educational psychology, developmental psychology, adolescent psychology, or child development
  • Current experience working or volunteering with young children with disabilities
  • Applicants without prior experience may be admitted but may be required to complete additional credit hours of field experience concurrent with coursework.

We have rolling admissions, meaning you can apply and be accepted anytime. The admission evaluation process begins once we’ve received all of your application materials. Before you apply, please review the application instructions. When you’re ready to apply, please submit the following:

  • An online application
  • Current résumé or CV
  • Official academic transcripts from all institutions attended
  • A 400-500 word essay describing your motivation for obtaining an M.Ed. in Special Education with a concentration in Early Intervention – Early Childhood that also demonstrates your writing skills and capacity for reflection
  • Evidence of fingerprinting and a completed background check
  • Proof of teaching certification if you currently hold a teaching license

Applicants may be invited for a personal interview with the Special Education faculty.

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Careers

The need for well-trained and knowledgeable special education teachers has never been greater. The demand for special education teachers is rising as children with disabilities are increasingly identified earlier and more are enrolled in special education programs.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there are expected to be 33,500 job openings for special education teachers annually from 2022 to 2032. The median annual wage for special education teachers was $65,910 in May 2023, higher than the median yearly wage for all occupations of $48,060.

The concentration can lead to Maine certification in a Teacher of Students with Disabilities (0 to age 5) (282B). Specific information regarding Maine certification is available through the Maine Department of Education.

Graduates can also find opportunities outside the classroom as supervisors and administrators or in social work, health care, or therapy.

  • Note: As an advanced teacher preparation program, faculty do not recommend students for certification. Students graduating from our M.Ed. concentrations are eligible to apply for Maine teaching certification via Pathway 2 – Transcript Analysis. Although faculty can advise, students are responsible for knowing certification requirements in the state where they seek certification.

NC-SARA Statement

This program will prepare students to be eligible for licensure within the State of Maine. Visit the UMS State Authorization & Licensure page to learn more about the licensure requirements in other states and territories and the contact information needed to inquire further into the licensure requirements associated with this program.