Early Childhood Education and Special Education, M.Ed.

About the Program

The Early Childhood Education and Special Education graduate program is designed to prepare students for dual teacher certification in Early Childhood Education and Special Education, grades pre-Kindergarten to 4.

Time Limit for Degree Completion: 4 years

Campus Location: Main

Full-Time/Part-Time Status: The degree program can be completed on a full- or part-time basis. Evening classes on Main campus start at 5:30 p.m. Students also complete fieldwork in a classroom about one day a week throughout each academic term.

Accreditation: The program is approved as a teacher certification program by the Pennsylvania Department of Education and is accredited by the Teacher Education Accreditation Council (TEAC).

Job Prospects: Graduates typically pursue early childhood and special education teaching positions in school settings in grades pre-Kindergarten to 4.

Licensure: Upon successful completion of the degree requirements and passing all required licensure examinations, candidates may apply for a Pennsylvania Instructional I Teaching Certificate.

Non-Matriculated Student Policy: Students may take up to, but not more than, 9 credits of graduate study in the program before being admitted to the program. The credits transfer into the program, if the student is admitted. Students completing non-matriculated courses before being admitted to the program are NOT guaranteed admission.

Financing Opportunities: Financial support opportunities may include scholarships, tuition remission, and other financial aid such as grants, loans, and federal work study.

Admission Requirements and Deadlines

Application Deadline:

Fall: March 1
Spring: November 1

Applicants should submit all required admissions documents by the application deadline to receive priority consideration for admission and financial support.

APPLY ONLINE to this graduate program.

Letters of Reference:
Number Required: 2

From Whom: Letters of recommendation should be obtained to provide insight regarding the applicant's academic competence. References from college/university faculty are recommended.

Coursework Required for Admission Consideration: Prerequisites for admission to the Early Childhood Education and Special Education M.Ed. program include courses taken at the undergraduate or graduate level with a grade of "C" or better earned in the following areas:

At least two courses (or 6 credits) in college-level mathematics, thus excluding remedial or developmental courses.
At least two courses (or 6 credits) in language arts/English, including one course in writing/composition and one literature course.
At least one course (or 3 credits) each in science, history (American and World History recommended), and art or music.

A prerequisite evaluation is conducted upon receipt of the application and all official transcripts. All required prerequisites must be fulfilled before an applicant is eligible for admission.

Bachelor's Degree in Discipline/Related Discipline: A bachelor's degree is required. A minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale is expected.

International applicants should also submit an official document that validates completion and conferral of a degree, diploma, and/or certificate. While not required, international applicants are encouraged to submit transcript(s) to the World Education Services (WES) for evaluation.

Statement of Goals: In 500 to 1,000 words, outline your interest in seeking a master’s degree with a specific focus on the career to which you aspire, your interests, and your academic and job-related experiences that are relevant to the program.

Standardized Test Scores:
Applicants who earned their baccalaureate degree from an institution where the language of instruction was other than English, with the exception of those who subsequently earned a master’s degree at a U.S. institution, must report scores for a standardized test of English that meet these minimums:

TOEFL iBT: 79
IELTS Academic: 6.5
PTE Academic: 53

Resume: Current resume required.

Transfer Credit: Courses may be transferred from an accredited institution provided they were completed less than five years ago and are relevant to the program. The academic advisor makes the decision about the relevancy of the courses that the student desires to transfer. The maximum number of credits a student may transfer is 6.

Clearances: A Pennsylvania criminal background check, a federal criminal history check, a child abuse clearance, and a TB test are required upon enrollment.

Other Requirement: Official undergraduate and graduate transcripts from all accredited institutions attended and/or from which credit was earned must be submitted.

Program Requirements

General Program Requirements:
Number of Credits Required Beyond the Baccalaureate: 49

Required Courses:

Course List
Code	Title	Credit Hours
Foundation Course
EDUC 5402	Child and Adol Develop	3
Early Childhood Education Courses
ECED 5107	Mathematics Education for the Early Years: PreK-4	3
ECED 5108	Social Studies Education for the Early Years: PreK-4	3
ECED 5109	Science Education for the Early Years: PreK to 4	3
ECED 5206	Literacy Foundations for the Primary Grades: First through Fourth	3
ECED 5502	Cognitive Development	3
Special Education Courses
SPED 5105	Assessment in Special Education	3
SPED 5106	Literacy Instruction for Students with Disabilities	3
SPED 5109	Classroom Management and Positive Behavior Support	3
SPED 5201	Students with Moderate to Severe Disabilities: Effective Teaching Strategies	3
SPED 5211	Effective Instruction for Students with Disabilities	3
SPED 5402	Effective Transition Practices for Students with Mild Disabilities	3
SPED 5666	Introduction to Special Education	3
TESOL Course
TESL 5631	Foundations of Language Teaching: Meeting the Needs of English Language Learners	3
Culminating Courses
EDUC 5409	Research Methods and Induction Capstone	3
EDUC 5888	Supervised Teaching	4
Total Credit Hours		49

Culminating Events: Supervised teaching and its related research methods and capstone course are the culminating events for this program.

Early Childhood Education Courses

ECED 5106. Early Literacy and Language Development: Birth-Kindergarten. 3 Credit Hours.

The aim of this course is to provide students with foundational knowledge about the development of early language and literacy skills, their role in later reading and academic success, and the instructional practices that best support them. Students will develop essential practices for building early language and literacy competence in diverse classroom settings. This course includes 20 hours of stages 1, 2, and 3 field experience competencies.

Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

ECED 5107. Mathematics Education for the Early Years: PreK-4. 3 Credit Hours.

The aim of this course is to provide preservice teachers (PTs) with essential mathematical knowledge for teaching early mathematics based on an integration of research and practice. In particular, PTs will obtain deep content understanding of the key mathematical topics, relevant knowledge of children’s mathematical thinking, and pedagogical design ability such as task analysis and lesson planning. In addition, PTs will develop critical thinking skills that allow them to critically analyze the existing learning environment (e.g., textbooks and instruction) and essential practices for building early mathematics competence in diverse classroom settings. This course includes 20 hours of stages 1, 2, and 3 field experience competencies.

Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

ECED 5108. Social Studies Education for the Early Years: PreK-4. 3 Credit Hours.

The focus of this course is the development of social skills in young children and how they lay a critical foundation for citizenship in an evolving democracy. The course will include theories of social education and the developmental learning processes of civics, economics, history, and geography in young children in K-4 educational settings. Diversity and culture are central aspects of the course as they relate to ways that children, families, schools, communities and teachers view and interact in shared communities of learning. This course includes 20 hours of stages 1, 2, and 3 field experiences.

Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

ECED 5109. Science Education for the Early Years: PreK to 4. 3 Credit Hours.

This course will draw on science practices, instructional technology (e.g., video vignettes of classroom activities and science websites), and collaborative lab-based activities to explore current issues of teaching and learning science in the pre-K and early elementary school classroom. This course includes 20 hours of stages 1, 2, and 3 field experience competencies.

Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

ECED 5206. Literacy Foundations for the Primary Grades: First through Fourth. 3 Credit Hours.

The main focus of this course is to develop knowledge of the theories, methods, and materials that can be used to teach reading and writing concepts and skills in the elementary classroom (from late kindergarten through fourth grade). There will be an emphasis on conceptual knowledge as well as specific procedural knowledge needed to implement effective, research-based practices. Furthermore, policy issues affecting literacy instruction and practices will also be addressed. This course includes 20 hours of stages 1, 2, and 3 field experience competencies.

Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

ECED 5370. Sem Early Child Lit Edu. 3 Credit Hours.

Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.

Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.

ECED 5502. Cognitive Development. 3 Credit Hours.

Understanding how people learn is a critical part of understanding how best to teach. This course will address theories of cognition and learning and provide practice in weaving key ideas into the design, implementation, and assessment of classroom instruction. This class is not a methods class; rather, it provides the conceptual basis of teaching approaches that explains why some approaches work better than others.

Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

Special Education Courses

SPED 5105. Assessment in Special Education. 3 Credit Hours.

This course is designed to provide students with an understanding of assessment theory, the purposes of assessment and specific assessment techniques as they relate to the education of struggling students and students with disabilities. Emphasis is placed both on how assessment is used to identify students with disabilities and how assessment can be used to plan and monitor the effectiveness of instructional practices related to student learning and development in the classroom. We use a problem-solving approach in this course.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

SPED 5106. Literacy Instruction for Students with Disabilities. 3 Credit Hours.

The focus of this graduate level course is to provide knowledge of language and literacy for pre-service PreK-12 teachers. In turn, this knowledge will serve as grounding for effective literacy instruction for struggling readers in inclusive settings including students with a wide range of abilities and disabilities. Emphasis will be placed on understanding theories and interventions that surround language acquisition and literacy development for children in Pre-Kindergarten to grade 12 settings, with an additional exploration of how language and literacy are impacted by diversity, various disabilities and atypical behaviors. Attention will be given to basic knowledge about literacy and language development with information on such important topics as: reading components and building-blocks, writing and spelling elements, reading fluency, reading comprehension, and the facilitation of language in the classroom. An equally important theme will be how to actually implement this knowledge in inclusive classrooms through: appropriate assessment practices, research validated literacy interventions, developmental reading programs, evidence-based instructional practices, and content area materials. Other integral parts of literacy and language development, such as co-teaching, collaboration with paraprofessionals and other related support staff, spoken language, communication skill development through assistive technology, and universal design in inclusive classrooms will be examined at the instructor's discretion.

Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
College Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Colleges: Education & Human Development.
Student Attribute Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Student Attributes: Clearance for Education.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

SPED 5107. Understanding and Using Special Education Research. 3 Credit Hours.

Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

SPED 5108. Assistive Technology and Universal Design. 3 Credit Hours.

Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

SPED 5109. Classroom Management and Positive Behavior Support. 3 Credit Hours.

Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

SPED 5111. Educating Students with Disabilities in Inclusive Settings. 2 Credit Hours.

This course is an introduction to effective strategies for teaching students with disabilities. This course will identify strategies that will aid in student success throughout the middle grade years in the least restrictive environment. Emphasis is placed on evidence based strategies and activities specific to middle grades students, technology in the classroom, and ways to address diversity in today's classroom.

Co-requisites: MGRE 5102, SPED 5187.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

SPED 5187. Graduate Assessment Practicum in Early Childhood Special Education. 3 Credit Hours.

This course is field-based with classroom/online experiences and designed to provide students with an understanding of assessment theory, the purposes of assessment and specific assessment techniques as they relate to the education of struggling students and students with disabilities. Emphasis is placed both on how assessment is used to identify students with disabilities as well as how assessment can be used to plan and monitor the effectiveness of instructional practices related to student learning and development in the classroom. We use a problem-solving approach in this course.

Co-requisites: MGRE 5102, SPED 5111.

Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.

SPED 5201. Students with Moderate to Severe Disabilities: Effective Teaching Strategies. 3 Credit Hours.

This course is an introduction to best instructional practices and strategies for teaching students with a range of moderate to severe disabilities in varied educational settings. The purpose of this course is to identify and understand specific evidence-based strategies that positively impact student success based on student profiles including abilities, disabilities, interests, assessment data, and needs for supports. Emphasis is placed on strategies and activities specific to learners spanning from Pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade. We emphasize and practice collaboration and communication strategies which will be expected of us as professional special educators. In addition, we discuss/analyze appropriate applications of instructional, adaptive and assistive technology in the classroom. Finally, we focus on ways to incorporate/encourage family participation and embrace diversity in contemporary classrooms comprised of diverse learners having diverse abilities and needs.

Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

SPED 5211. Effective Instruction for Students with Disabilities. 3 Credit Hours.

This course is an introduction to effective instruction and strategies for teaching students with disabilities across Pre-K to 12th grade. The purpose of this course is to identify specific strategies that will aid in student success in the inclusive setting. Emphasis will be placed on strategies and activities specific to pre-kindergarten and elementary students, collaboration and communication strategies among professionals, technology in the classroom, and ways in which to address family participation and diversity in today's classroom.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

SPED 5287. Integrated Literacy and Special Education Practicum. 2 Credit Hours.

This integrated practicum experience will provide opportunities for students to apply theoretical models and research-based instructional strategies in the area of literacy to middle grades students in inclusive classrooms. Focus will be placed on developmental, cognitive, physical, social, behavioral, processing and learning needs of students and how these needs relate to comprehending written text, specifically for students having disabilities. Particular emphasis will be focused on ways to connect information from the co-requisite literacy methods course and apply this knowledge to students with disabilities in the middle grades classroom. Differentiated instruction, response to intervention, appropriate curricular modification, and authentic assessment related to appropriate instructional decision-making are themes that run throughout this learning experience.

Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.

Co-requisites: MGRE 5102, SPED 5111.

Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.

Pre-requisites:
(EDUC 5402|Minimum Grade of B-|May not be taken concurrently
AND MGRE 5101|Minimum Grade of B-|May not be taken concurrently)

SPED 5301. Building Communication in Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Severe Disabilities. 3 Credit Hours.

Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

SPED 5302. Effective Teaching Strategies and Academic Interventions. 3 Credit Hours.

This course overviews assessment and intervention strategies for learners with skill deficits. Learners with a diverse set of needs will be discussed in the course (e.g., neurotypical, autism, intellectual disability, emotional and behavioral disturbance, among others). The link between assessment and intervention will be emphasized throughout the course, with attention to effective practices for learners with diverse needs. Students enrolled in the course will learn how to select, administer, score, interpret, and report results for a variety of behavioral assessment methods that will be related to selecting interventions, monitoring student progress, and making decisions based upon data.

Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Student Attribute Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Student Attributes: Clearance for Education.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

SPED 5303. Ethics and Applied Behavior Analysis. 3 Credit Hours.

This course provides the student with an overview of ethical practices and considerations for behavior analysts working across a variety of applied settings, including schools and agencies that support people with disabilities.

Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

SPED 5304. Concepts and Principles of Behavior Analysis. 3 Credit Hours.

This course provides the student with an introduction to the concepts and principles of behavior analysis. Core concepts including motivation, reinforcement, punishment, extinction, and rule governed and verbal behavior will be covered, along with examples of behavior change techniques that employ these concepts.

Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

SPED 5305. Single Subject Research Design. 3 Credit Hours.

This course provides an overview of strategies for designing and conducting single-subject research in special education. Competencies include selection of independent and dependent variables for research, measurement tactics, research design, establishing generality of results, and ensuring the integrity of research procedures. The methods discussed are not specific to any disability or age level; rather, they are a general set of methods for conducting and interpreting single-subject research.

Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

SPED 5401. Students with Mild Disabilities: Effective Teaching Strategies. 3 Credit Hours.

Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

SPED 5402. Effective Transition Practices for Students with Mild Disabilities. 3 Credit Hours.

Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

SPED 5501. Learning Environments. 3 Credit Hours.

Examination of the context in which exceptional persons learn. Consideration of the influence of multiculturalism, the family, school, social agencies, the media, courts, laws and forces such as inclusion as they affect the learning environment.

Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

SPED 5511. Managing Learning Environments. 3 Credit Hours.

Provides students with the knowledge of a range of alternative management techniques appropriate for facilitating learning in classrooms, within families and in other environments. Multicultural aspects of learning environments are considered.

Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

SPED 5512. Methods and Curriculum. 3 Credit Hours.

An introduction to the appropriate assessment and teaching of persons with disabilities at a variety of age levels. Particular emphasis placed upon the modification of the basic school curriculum.

Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

SPED 5521. Issues in Social, Emotional, and Physical Development. 3 Credit Hours.

The nature, developmental problems, assessment, and educational intervention of physical, perceptual, motor, and socio-emotional problems are studied. Field application including observations, interviews, and trial interventions are required.

Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

SPED 5522. Cognition, Language, and Literacy. 3 Credit Hours.

Deals with the following aspects of language and cognitive development: nature and theory, multicultural aspects, normal acquisition and development, problems in development, assessment and intervention strategies. An attempt is made to link theory and practice.

Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

SPED 5587. Special Education Practicum. 6 Credit Hours.

The special education practicum experience is taken during the final semester of study before completion of the special education teacher preparation program requirements. Eligibility for graduation and recommendation for K-8 Special Education certification is contingent on the successful completion of this practicum. Students are provided with an opportunity to be in a classroom for an extended period of time and to put into practice what they have learned in their special education courses. Over the course of the semester, students will experience, in depth, the full role and meaning of teaching in special education and/or an inclusive classroom. Experiences include planning and organizing for instruction, developing classroom teaching competencies and skills, evaluating pupil progress, participating in extra-class activities, participating in the development of IEPs, working collaboratively with other school personnel, and utilizing school and community resources in the instructional program.

Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.

Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.

SPED 5611. Total Inclusion Seminar. 3 Credit Hours.

Course content focuses on inclusive practices in school, community, and employment settings for students with various degrees of disability.

Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

SPED 5666. Introduction to Special Education. 3 Credit Hours.

This class is a preliminary overview of inclusion and its pervasive, on-going impact on both special and general education. Special emphasis will be placed on: the legal ramifications of inclusion, related terminology, and IEPs; various disability categories; adapting the classroom environment, especially in terms of various behavioral concerns and positive behavioral supports; teaching strategies and assessment practices appropriate to inclusion; and collaborative relationships with parents in inclusive settings. Other topics and miscellaneous resources/best practices will be highlighted at the instructor's discretion.

Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

SPED 8101. Trends and Issues in Special Education. 3 Credit Hours.

Discussion and examination of current topics in special education. We will examine controversial and/or critical issues in special education, which may include: current IDEA definitions (e.g., LD, OHI, ED, and CI), controversial treatments and evidence-based practices, issues with evaluation of students (e.g., RTI, over-representation, testing), special education laws and policies, the role that research plays in education, as well as other topics relating to special education or inclusion.

Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

SPED 8701. Proseminar in Individual Differences. 3 Credit Hours.

Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

SPED 8711. Seminar in Special Education Research. 3 Credit Hours.

A seminar on problems of research as applied to special education.

Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

SPED 8741. Seminar in Exceptionalities. 3 Credit Hours.

Current trends, problems, and issues in special education, teacher education, research, and administration.

Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

SPED 8742. Seminar in Exceptionalities. 3 Credit Hours.

Current trends, problems, and issues in special education, teacher education, research, and administration.

Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.

Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

SPED 9187. Practicum in Special Education. 3 to 9 Credit Hours.

Temple will place students at a site. One-half day of practice teaching, five days each week for the full semester.

Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.

Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.

SPED 9287. Practicum in Special Education. 3 to 6 Credit Hours.

Temple will place students at a site. One-half day of practice teaching, five days each week for the full semester.

Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.

Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.

SPED 9387. Practicum in Special Education. 3 to 6 Credit Hours.

Full-time summer practicum. Temple provides the practicum site. Five full days (mornings and afternoons) of practice teaching each week for the full summer semester.

Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.

Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.

SPED 9485. Augmen Comm Empow Intern. 1 to 3 Credit Hour.

Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.

Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.

SPED 9489. Fld Exp Spec Ed Supervis. 3 Credit Hours.

Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.

Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.

Contacts

Program Web Address:

https://www.temple.edu/academics/degree-programs/early-childhood-and-special-education-med-ed-edse-med

Department Information:

Dept. of Teaching and Learning

College of Education and Human Development

1301 Cecil B. Moore Avenue

Philadelphia, PA 19122-6091

educate@temple.edu

215-204-0999

Submission Address for Application Materials:

https://apply.temple.edu/COE/

Department Contacts:

Admissions:

Office of Enrollment Management

educate@temple.edu

215-204-0999