Master of Arts degree in Early Childhood Special Education

Educators specializing in early childhood special education learn to assess and provide high quality instruction for infants, toddlers and preschoolers with motor, sensory, health, communication, social-emotional or cognitive disabilities. An emphasis is placed on working as collaborative team members with families and professionals so that children with disabilities, ages birth to size years old, can thrive in their natural environments.

St. Thomas prepares professional, effective educators in special education with traditional coursework and a practicum in a real-world educational setting.

The St. Thomas Difference

Courses in the program are conveniently scheduled late afternoons or evenings, summer days and summer evenings. If you are interested in pursing more than one licensure, the areas have some courses in common leading to ease in attaining multiple licensure.

Other licensures available at St. Thomas include: developmental disabilities, emotional behavioral disorders and learning disabilities.

The state of Minnesota approves license programs for special education personnel, and St. Thomas recommends qualified candidates for those licenses. Specific licensure programs have been submitted to and approved by the state. Any variance from that approved program also must be approved by the state. This places upon the department a responsibility for specific, high-quality special education programs.

Special education professionals are prepared to:

• Address current literature and issues in special education andgifted education.
• Implement appropriate evaluation and due process standards.
• Design, field test and evaluate research-based instructional strategies and methodologies leading to specially designed instruction. 
• Provide direct service and consultation. 
• Work as partners with families. 
• Collaborate with professionals across disciplines 
• Collaborate with family agencies, community services and professional organization