General Information

The early childhood and special education majors were combined into a single dual major in early childhood/special education P-5 in the fall of 2002.  This dual major is the only undergraduate route to either certification available on campus. 

Why is this happening?

All classrooms are becoming more complex.  More children with learning difficulties, both diagnosed and undiagnosed are being served in regular classrooms.  Thus early childhood teachers need more background.  In addition, recent changes have strengthened the academic background of early childhood teachers, but have not yet been implemented in the programs of special education teachers.  Those teachers need additional content as they have been asked to teach in grades P-12, sometimes with only one course in mathematics.

How is this program different from other programs?  

It is the only program like this in the state at the undergraduate level.

• It is 132 hours in length, in contrast to 120 hours.
• It is common for both certificates
• It involves one, morning field placement all year during the junior year
• It involves a second, year long field placement all year during the senior year in a different school system from the first placement.
• All students will be placed in partner schools and one of those placements will be in a diverse setting.
• Certification in Interrelated Special Education P-12 requires two additional courses and a slightly different field experience setting at internship (7 weeks in middle school and 7 weeks in high school)

  How many students do you accept? 

We accept approximately 85 students per year.  They are accepted to begin the fall clinical sequence only.  We accept fully qualified students on a first come, first served basis--i.e. when the cohort is full, no more students are admitted.  Admission to this program is competitive.  See the admissions section for requirements, and apply as soon as you are qualified after you have completed 40 hours.

What are the program requirements?

See the Course Sequence page.

For additional information contact: Dr. Jacqueline Leeper   jeleeper@ngcsu.edu