MEd Early Childhood Special Education (Teacher Certification) at Arizona State University

Programme overview

If you hold a bachelor's degree in a non-education field, the Master of Education program in early childhood special education with a concentration in teacher certification is designed for you. The program prepares you to work with young children with disabilities and those at risk for developmental or learning challenges. You earn an institutional recommendation from ASU for Arizona teacher certification.

Faculty: Mary Lou Fulton College for Teaching and Learning Innovation | Department: Division for Advancing Educator Preparation | Duration: 38 credit hours | Study mode: online | Location: Tempe, AZ, United States

What you will study

38 credit hours including the required applied project course (ECS 593) - Alternative Certification Pathway, or 38 credit hours including the required applied project course (ECS 593) - Traditional Certification Pathway Required Core (9 credit hours) EED 532 Literacy Methods of Instruction and Assessment for Diverse Learners (3) TEL 517 Creating Equitable Learning Environment: Decision Making and Action (3) TEL 531 Foundations of Literacy: The Science of Reading (3) Concentration (6 credit hours) Alternative Certification Pathway ECS 571 Birth to Preschool Apprentice Teaching (2) ECS 574 Pre-Kindergarten to Grade Three Apprentice Teaching (2) ECS 579 Early Childhood Special Education Apprentice Teaching Capstone (2) Traditional Certification Pathway ECS 556 Birth to Preschool Internship (2) ECS 567 Pre-Kindergarten to Grade Three Internship (2) ECS 596 Early Childhood Special Education Student Teaching (2) Other Requirements (17 credit hours) ECD 527 Mathematics in Early Childhood Education (3) ECD 565 Inclusive Instructional Methodologies for Young Children (3) ECS 520 Evaluation and Intervention Strategies for Infants, Toddlers and Preschoolers with Disabilities (3) ECS 549 Foundations of Typical and Atypical Child Growth and Development (3) SPE 502 Language and Communications Methods and Assessment (2) SPE 558 Special Education Foundations: Law, IEPs, Assessment and Ethical Practice (3) SEI Endorsement (3 credit hours) ELL 515 Structured English Immersion (SEI) Methods (3) Culminating Experience (3 credit hours) ECS 593 Applied Project (3) Additional Curriculum Information All certification students must complete at least three professional experience courses and an experience in each special education setting (birth through preschool, and preschool through grade 3).

Career pathways

Graduates are prepared to work in schools, nonprofit organizations, early intervention programs, government agencies, health care organizations and private practices. Career opportunities include: kindergarten through grade 3 teacher preschool teacher program coordinator

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the Mary Lou Fulton College for Teaching and Learning Innovation. Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in any field from a regionally accredited institution. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program, or applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program. Applicants are required to submit: graduate admission application and application fee official transcripts personal statement professional resume three letters of recommendation proof of English proficiency Additional Application Information An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.

Domestic applicants: USD 13,327 a year (2026-27). Arizona resident tuition. Tuition only for the graduate on-campus (Tempe/Downtown Phoenix/Polytechnic/West Valley) rate band in the ASU tuition estimator, 2026-27: Fall 2026 plus Spring 2027 term tuition summed (full-time flat rate; part-time credit loads Source

International applicants: USD 24,780 a year (2026-27). International tuition. Tuition only for the graduate on-campus (Tempe/Downtown Phoenix/Polytechnic/West Valley) rate band in the ASU tuition estimator, 2026-27: Fall 2026 plus Spring 2027 term tuition summed (full-time flat rate; part-time credit loads ar Source

Entry terms: Fall, Spring and Summer; the terms available for each programme are listed in Degree Search.

Graduate application deadlines are set by each programme office and listed in Degree Search; the application opens almost a year before the start term. The nonrefundable application fee is $75 for U.S. citizens, permanent residents, DACA and international online students outside the U.S., and $120 for international students on a nonimmigrant visa studying in the U.S. Apply with ASU's graduate application (Law applicants use the law college's site); GRE/GMAT requirements vary by programme.

Apply through the official page: https://admission.asu.edu/apply/graduate/admission

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