Experiential Learning, Flexible Options
Earn your master’s degree online, face-to-face or a combination of both in this flexible graduate program designed for working professionals. In UNC’s Special Education: Early Childhood program, you’ll develop a range of specialized skills to work with young children and their families. You’ll work closely with top faculty who are actively involved in teaching and research with local school districts and agencies. You’ll also benefit from extensive field-based learning opportunities that provide valuable classroom experience to advance your career.
UNC’s School of Special Education has been designated as a Center of Excellence by the Colorado Commission on Higher Education three times. We are also the top-ranked university in the state (and one of the top 10 in the nation) for online graduate programs in education.
Degree Details
Credits Required:
36
Location/Delivery:
Greeley
Denver + Online
Online
Time to Completion:
2 Years
Degree Option
M.A. in Special Education: Early Childhood
The Early Childhood Special Education program is available in a fully online format, face-to-face at our main campus in Greeley, Colorado, or a combination of online and face-to-face weekend classes at the Denver Center at Lowry. Full-time students can usually complete the degree in two years. At the end of the program, you can earn either a master’s degree or a non-degree licensure in early childhood special education or both early childhood special education and early childhood education.
Take the next step! Explore courses, contact information and admission requirements.
EXTENDED CAMPUS PROGRAM DETAILS
Related Programs
Your Future in Special Education
Our program promotes an inclusive approach to early education and is distinguished by a strong student-faculty connection and flexible degree completion options designed for working educators. The program also includes extensive field-based experiences with children in three age-groups: birth to 2 years, 3 to 5 years and 5 to 8 years.
Consider UNC’s M.A. in Special Education: Early Childhood if you want to:
- Work with diverse children from birth to age 8 and their families
- Gain real-world experience in community-based settings
- Learn in small classes with a high level of student-faculty interaction
You’ll learn:
- Appropriate ways to work with children and their families across a range of abilities and cultural experiences
- How to effectively collaborate with general educators and related services professionals
- Evidence-based assessment intervention practices
Sample courses:
- Family/Professional Partnerships
- Typical and Atypical Early Child Development: Application to Early Childhood Special Education
- Scientifically Based Literacy Interventions
- Research, Policy and Advocacy in Early Childhood Special Education
- Learning Environments and Cultural Considerations
- Assessment, IEP Development and Instructional Planning
Faculty Spotlights
Hasan Zaghlawan, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor and Coordinator, Early Childhood Special Education
Hasan Zaghlawan’s area of research focuses on implementing the Routines-Based Model, promoting social and communicative skills for young children with disabilities, and children’s engagement in naturalistic environments. He is a national certified interviewer and trainer for Routines-Based Interview and serves as member of editorial boards and guest reviewer for international and national journals in education and early childhood special education. Zaghlawan has also published articles and presented at local, state and national conferences.
Jackie Davis, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Early Childhood Special Education
Jackie Davis’ research interests include working with diverse families, early literacy, and teacher preparation. Prior to joining the UNC early childhood special education team, she spent 17 years in the classroom working with young children and families in both early childhood and elementary inclusive settings. Davis has published articles and presented at local, state, and national conferences as well provided service to the ECSE field across all levels.
Beyond the Classroom
There is strong demand for early childhood special education teachers, with 32 percent growth predicted between 2010 and 2020 for preschool, kindergarten and elementary school teachers in Colorado. Growth is also strong for education administrators of preschool and childcare programs.
A master’s degree can increase your earning potential as well. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, on average, teachers with master’s degrees will earn $8,000 to $10,000 more each year than those with only a bachelor’s degree.
Where can your degree take you?
When you graduate, you’ll be ready to work in a variety of settings including public schools, childcare programs, early intervention programs and family support and home-based programs. Many of our graduates work in preschools, kindergartens or up to third grade.
Ready for what's next? Here's what you need to know.
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Still not completely sold? We understand. Here's more information on costs and funding and how to apply.
