The Early Childhood Special Education Masters Program at the University of Alaska Anchorage, was established in 1990. The major goal of the Early Childhood Special Education Masters Program is to provide specialized preservice training for current and future early interventionists and early childhood special educators. Underlying this goal is the assumption that all infants, toddlers and preschoolers who experience disabilities and their families have the right to receive supports and services from qualified interventionists and educators which will improve their lives.
The Early Childhood Special Education program is designed for professionals who are particularly interested in children in the age range birth through 5 years of age. The master’s degree is 36 credits of which 6 credits are an advanced internship.
By completing this program, 2 additional courses required by the State, and meeting the criteria stated below, candidates can now receive an institutional recommendation for an Alaskan teaching certificate with endorsement in Special Education birth to 5. Candidates with a teaching certificate who meet the following criteria will receive an institutional recommendation for an endorsement.
Candidates must meet one of the following criteria for an institutional recommendation:
- EDSE A620Y Advanced Internship - placement in public school for at least 3 credits
- Experience teaching preschool special education in a public school
- Extensive field experience in a preschool special education public school setting
The course emphasis will be on the needs, characteristics, and assessment of special children from birth through five, on interventions and family collaboration.
As an educator in the field of special education and early childhood special education, I am sure you are aware of the shortage of qualified personnel to work with candidates with significant disabilities. University of Alaska Anchorage, College of Education, Early Childhood Special Education Program has a graduate program for qualified candidates interested in earning a Master’s of Education in Early Childhood Special Education. A $10,000 stipend is available for candidates who are accepted in this program and qualify for the federal grant funds. Would you please forward this information to anyone you think may have an interest in our program? Inquiries for additional information and for details on course length, entry requirements, previous experience required, and an endorsement as a special educator in Alaska please contact Jeanne Thompson at ecse@uaa.alaska.edu or Sheila Sellers at afsrs1@uaa.alaska.edu.
