MSEd Special Education (Birth-Grade 2), MSEd in Inclusive Early Childhood

Special Education (Birth-Grade 2), MSEd in Inclusive Early Childhood For students with no formal course work or teaching experience in early childhood, or early childhood special education; 48 s.h. program. This inclusive early childhood special education program builds upon general education and all students must have the co-requisite preparation in early childhood education so as to gain the necessary knowledge, skills, and values to implement effective inclusive practice guided by developmentally and individually appropriate curriculum. Child development, both typical and atypical, formal and informal assessment, research-based methodologies and instruction and collaboration among stakeholders are the major foci of the program. The program reflects a field-integrated approach that consists of a minimum of 120 clock hours of field work prior to student teaching. Field experiences are linked to each of the courses that comprise the professional core and include participant observation and field-related projects at a variety of early childhood settings including high-needs school districts. Students attend parent and professional meetings, as well as work individually with students with disabilities. Implementation of effective inclusive practice which provides young children and their families full and successful access to educational and other support services will be emphasized. This dual graduate pre-service program leads toward the New York state initial certification to teach early childhood (Birth-Grade 2), and the New York state initial/professional certificate to teach special education at the early childhood developmental level (Birth-Grade 2). Hofstra's MSEd program in inclusive early childhood special education conforms to the standards and guidelines of the National Association for the Education of Young Children and the Division for Early Childhood of the Council for Exceptional Children.