Graduate Certificate Program in Early Childhood Special Education
Who can apply for this program?
Practitioners in early childhood education, special education (K-6), speech-language pathology, physical, or occupation therapy, deaf education, vision disorders, psychology, educational psychology, school administration or other related fields may apply for this non-degree certificate in early childhood special education (ECSE)/early intervention. This certificate program is designed to offer an efficient program of study (could be completed in 12-18 months) that will inform and upgrade interested practitioners in the issues and recommended practices associated with services to infants, toddlers and preschool-age children with developmental delays and disabilities and their families.
Why a non-degree Certificate Program?
Early childhood/Early Intervention programs are increasing in number nationally for children at risk for developmental delay and those identified with delays and disabilities. Over the past ten years, rapidly emerging research evidence about children's early development and learning has shown the effectiveness for achieving positive and functional outcomes for children when they are actively engaged and participating in everyday routines and activities as part of family and community life with parents, care-providers and typically developing peers and siblings. To the greatest extent possible, the early intervention/education experiences for young children with disabilities should be provided as early as possible, and in collaboration with family and staff who interact with the children in family homes, community preschools, child care centers and homes, Head Start programs and other inclusive learning environments for young children.
State and federal law (IDEA), as well as nationally recognized Recommended Practices (CEC/Division for Early Childhood), call for more programs to embrace this philosophy of early, inclusive, family-centered intervention. State and local administrators, supervisors, and practitioners previously trained in typical child development, early education and care programs, medical or multidisciplinary approaches to allied health and special education will want to upgrade their knowledge and skills with an efficient program of study that addresses the age range (birth to age 5), service locations (home-visiting, inclusive preschools/child care) and team models (transdisciplinary/primary service provider, family-partnerships) reflective of these practices for young children with delays/disabilities. In addition, this certificate program can enhance the practitioner's professional marketability for new positions and address the shortage for highly-qualified personnel working with young children with disabilities an their families. A 12-credit program of study, offered via distance education in 12-24 months on a part-time basis, is an attractive approach to this desired professional development.
How do I apply?
Application or admission to the Certificate program will be based upon the following application materials and criteria:
a) Graduate Certificate Application.
b) Application to UNL Graduate Studies as a non-degree student
c) Three (3) letters of recommendation for graduate study
d) Letter of intent

e) GPA of 3.00 or higher (undergraduate and/or graduate)
f) Completion of at least one undergraduate or graduate course in special education with a grade of B or better.
g) Previous experience working with children with disabilities, preferred.
What are required ECSE Certificate Program courses?
Students can choose to focus on infants and/or preschool age children in the Certificate Program, or both in their choice of a minimum of 12 credits from the following list of courses.
Required Certificate Courses |
Infant-Preschool Focus |
Infant Focus |
Preschool Focus |
SpEd 860 Issues in Early Childhood Special Education (Fall term) |
3 |
3 |
3 |
SpEd 861 Infants with Disabilities |
3 |
3 |
|
SpEd 862 Preschool Children with Disabilities (Fall term) |
3 |
|
3 |
SpEd 960 Family-Centered Services |
3 |
3 |
3 |
SpEd 863 Medically Fragile Infants |
|
3 |
|
SpEd 882 Students with Severe Disabilities (Fall Term) |
|
|
3 |
Total Credits |
12 |
12 |
12 |
All courses are available from UNL via distance education technologies.
How does one complete this Certificate Program?
Students will declare their Certificate age-focus preference upon admission to the program and following discussion with the Certificate Advisor, Dr Chris Marvin. Students who successfully complete the required 12 credits of coursework with grades of B- or higher are granted the Certificate. Students must submit to their advisor a copy of their transcripts for review by the Certificate Advisory Committee following their final term of study. The Certificate Advisor will forward Advisory Committee verification information to the UNL Office of Graduate Studies so that the Certificate is awarded and posted to the student's UNL transcript. There are no university or departmental ceremonies associated with this program completion.
Is financial assistance available for this Certificate Program?
Not currently. Scholarships and financial aid and grant-sponsored fellowships are generally dependent upon full time enrollment (9 cr/term minimum) and acceptance in degree-oriented programs.
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