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Early Childhood Special Education concentration

 

 

 

Required courses

  • EDEF 605: Educational Research
  • EDSP 622: Collaboration to Teach and Support Diverse Learners
  • EDSP 651: Students with Diverse Learning Needs and the Special Education Process
  • EDSP 670: Proactive Classroom Management and Advanced Positive Behavior Support

Required concentration courses (18 credit hours)

  • EDSP 602: Speech-Language Disorders & Development: Birth to Five Years 
  • EDSP 637: Early Childhood Assessment and Intervention
  • EDSP 639: Medical Aspects of Teaching Young Children with Disabilities 
  • EDSP 648: Family-centered Intervention and Program Management in Early Childhood Special Education
  • EDSP 686: Instructional Programming to Teach Infants, Toddlers, and Preschoolers with Disabilities
  • EDSP, EDRD, or EDET elective 

To obtain Virginia Department of Education licensure in early childhood special education, birth to five, an additional 6-12 semester hours of internship experiences are required unless currently teaching in ECSE:

  • EDSP 740 - Teaching Internship in Early Childhood Special Education: Home- and community-based Services. (3-6 hours; repeatable up to 6 hours)
  • EDSP 741 - Teaching Internship in Early Childhood Special Education: School-based Services (3-6 hours; repeatable up to 6 hours) *Six semester hour minimum in at least two settings, one of which may be a current place of employment.

The Virginia Consortium for Teacher Training in Early Childhood Special Education is a partnership among Radford University, University of Lynchburg, and the Virginia Department of Education. This consortium provides courses and funding to ECSE teachers with provisional license and others seeking ECSE endorsement.

3- and 4-year-old Add-on Endorsement

Radford University is pleased to announce that we are now offering all classes needed for the 3- and 4-year-old Add-On Endorsement to an elementary, PreK-3, PreK-6, or early childhood special education license. It consists of a 3-course (12 credits) sequence, plus a 45 hour practicum, which can be completed in your workplace. The courses are offered during the spring, summer, and fall semesters. Learn more about the 3- and 4-year old add-on endorsement.

Participation requirements

  • Admittance to Radford University.
  • Meet criteria for admission to consortium.
  • Access to internet/computer capacity for online coursework

Courses

We offer all courses required for Virginia endorsement in ECSE. All courses are offered online.

Classes typically offered fall semester

  • Medical Aspects - EDSP 639: Medical Aspects of Teaching Young Children with Disabilities
  • Family-Centered Intervention - EDSP 648: Program Management in Early Childhood Special Education
  • Behavior Management - EDSP 670: Proactive Classroom Management and Advanced Positive Behavior Support

Classes typically offered spring semester

  • Assessment Techniques for Young Children With Disabling and At-Risk Conditions - EDSP 637: Early Childhood Assessment and Intervention
  • Curriculum and Instructional Programming in ECSE - EDSP 686: Instructional Programming to Teach Preschoolers with Disabilities

Classes typically offered summer semester

  • Speech/Language Development and Intervention - EDSP 602: Speech-Language Disorders & Development: Birth to Five Years 

Classes typically offered each semester

  • Child Growth and Development - EDEF 600: Human Growth and Development: Birth through Adolescence 
  • Foundations of Education - EDEF 607: Foundations of Education
  • Consultation - EDSP 622: Collaboration to Teach and Support Diverse Learners
  • Foundations and Legal Aspects of Special Education - EDSP 651: Students with Diverse Learning Needs and the Special Education Process

This consortium is for early childhood special education(ECSE) teachers with a  provisional licensure and others seeking ECSE endorsement and is funded by the Virginia Department of Education. Consortium partnership includes Radford University and the University of Lynchburg.

Apply

Apply as a non-degree seeking student, certificate-seeking student or degree-seeking student (M.S. in Special Education with a concentration in ECSE) no later than one month before the start of the semester. See the academic calendar for start dates.

Consortium Partner: University of Lynchburg

Contact Andrew Bruce for information about the University of Lynchburg and Sharon Gilbert for information about Radford University. 

Courses the ECSE Consortium Grant Supports as Funding Allows

  • Foundations and Legal Aspects of Special Education - EDSP 651: Students with Diverse Learning Needs and the Special Education Process
  • Assessment - EDSP 637: Early Childhood Assessment and Intervention
  • Curriculum and Instructional Programming - EDSP 686: Instructional Programming to Teach Infants, Toddlers, and Preschoolers with Disabilities
  • Speech-language - EDSP 602: Language Disorders: Birth to Five Years
  • Medical aspects - EDSP 639: Medical Aspects of Teaching Young Children with Disabilities
  • Behavioral Management - EDSP 670: Proactive Classroom Management and Advanced Positive Behavior Support
  • Consultation - EDSP 622: Collaboration to Teach and Support Diverse Learners
  • Family-centered Consultation - EDSP 648: Program Management in Early Childhood Special Education

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I switch from non-degree-seeking to degree-seeking?

Yes, but only 9 credit hours will transfer (or the equivalent of three classes) to the degree program. You will also be required to submit a new application to Radford, including the application fee.

How will I know if I’m registered for a course?
Follow these steps.

Click on the Academic tab after signing into OneCampus
Click on Course Registration
Click on Registration Resources
Click on Student Detailed Schedule

How do I find my bill?

Sign into OneCampus and click on View Student Account Charges Detail. Scroll to the bottom and view charges for the current semester. You should also receive an email letting you know that you have a bill to be paid. You can also see on the bill if you've received funding for a course through the ECSE consortium grant.

Do I need to reapply for funding after the first time?

No. Once you have completed the online form, you will receive funding for the courses supported by the grant until funding runs out for the fiscal year.

How do I know which courses to take?

Your advisor will work with you to create your program of study. 

Who do I contact in Financial Aid if I have questions?

Karen Hedge at 540-831-5408.

What are some sources of funding to pay for graduate courses at RU?

  • The ECSE Consortium Grant
  • The Virginia Educator Reduced Tuition rate, if you are employed by a Virginia school system
  • The TEACH Grant
  • Financial Aid - contact them early to set up a payment plan. As a non-degree seeking student, you may also be eligible for a loan if you are a full-time graduate student.

How do I drop a course?

If you are dropping one or more courses, you must contact the Registrar’s Office and request to be dropped from the course. Use your Radford University email to make this request. Confirm that you've been dropped. Otherwise, you will be responsible for paying for the course(s).