For degrees: You must apply to both the Department of Special Education and Communication Disorders and the Graduate College . This entails a letter of intent, an application form, Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores and three letters of recommendation. Contact Jill England for application materials and answers to questions. It would be wise to get a program of study outlined and questions answered before applying. Contact: Dr. Chris Marvin
For endorsements: You need to "apply"only to the department by completing the application form.
For 12 credit ECSE Graduate Certificate Program: You must apply to both the Department of Special Education and Communication Disorders and the UNL Graduate College. Submit the a) ECSE Certificate Application Form, b) a letter of intent and c) three letters of recommendation for graduate study to the department. Submit college transcripts of your undergraduate degree and the online application to the Graduate College.
You must however apply to the Graduate College as a "non-degree" student by sending them your undergraduate transcripts. Contact: Graduate Studies. In addition, you will need a program of study on file with the certification office at UNL. You can mail your letter of intent and a copy of your undergraduate transcripts (If UNL grad, send ID# in lieu of transcripts) to Dr. Marvin for review and filing.
For initial teaching certificates: You will need to apply for the degree program as well as have a program of study for the certificate outlined. See above.
I am an out-of-state student. Can I complete the program via distance education?
Out-of-state students are welcome. However, not all the required courses will be available from UNL via distance technologies. Depending upon your goals, and program of study, you may find necessary courses at a distance from other institutions or from a local campus. For the masters degree, 51% of the program MUST be completed with UNL courses. The rest can be transferred in. For the endorsement, all the methods courses MUST be completed through UNL (SPED 861, 862, 882). The following Special Education courses, often included in the ECSE degree and endorsement program, are available to distance students: SPED 860, 861, 862, 863, 882, 960, 804
Other required courses may be available at a distance through UNL's other departments.
Are all the courses online?
Yes and no. This term "online" is used to mean many things to students. Here at UNL the term refers to web-based courses. All our courses are organized on the web through Blackboard at: my.unl.edu and may utilize email, video-streaming, chat rooms and web-casting broadcasts. However, some courses require additional technologies or contacts with instructors/classmates. For example, phone-based conferences, interactive TV, and periodic, weekend-on-campus class sessions may be required. See description of technologies utilized for each course and discuss options with the instructor. Visit their website for more information on Distance Education.
How can I get information about what courses I should register for first?
It helps to have a program of study outlined before you take any courses. Some courses may have prerequisites or infrequent schedules. Contact Dr. Marvin for an appointment (by phone or in person) to discuss your career goals. Forward a copy of your transcript to Dr. Marvin at 202 Barkley Memorial Center, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68583-0732. She can outline both a program of study and a sequence of courses for you. Tell her if you want to attend classes part-time or full-time and she can show you what your academic life will look like for the next couple of years! Most full-time students (9 cr. per term, 6 cr. during summer) complete the program/degree in 2 years. Part-time students (3 cr. per term, 6 cr. during summer) complete the program in 4 years. Students must submit a department application and have an advising sheet on file before they can register for Sped 802, 804, 861, 862, 882, 815, 897Q.
I need a Provisional Endorsement in ECSE. Can I get one from UNL? How many credits will I need?
A Provisional Endorsement is a one-year special certificate awarded by the Nebraska State Department of Education at the request of a school administrator and prospective teacher. UNL helps process these requests through our Teacher Certification Office (105 Henzlik Hall) by reviewing the necessary application materials and the teacher's credentials/transcripts. Contact Diane Sealock for instructions. Generally, the Provisional Endorsement in ECSE (birth to grade 3) requires a valid teaching certificate, completion of 3 credits in Special Education and an outlined program of study for the ECSE endorsement. Dr. Marvin or Ms. Diane Sealock can review your credentials and advise you as to the needed courses before a Provisional Endorsement can be applied for.
Are there any scholarships or assistantships available to help me financially?
Scholarships and graduate assistantships and fellowships are sometimes available (See financial assistance, ECSE). However, most are restricted for full-time, degree-oriented students. (See scholarship information on left webpage sidebar) For part-time and non-degree students , you might want to explore opportunities through UNL's Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid. If you are pursuing an initial teaching certificate but not a degree, ask your adviser to sign this form to permit your application for financial aid.
Which Early Childhood Program should I / can I pursue?
The Nebraska Department of Education has four teaching credentials that specify preparation for work with young children with disabilities. The University of Nebraska-Lincoln has five programs and one undergraduate program that once completed, will permit students to apply for a degree (Masters, Educational Specialist, Doctorate), a 12 credit ECSE Graduate Certificate, a 12 credit ECSE degree specialization, and/or one or more of these teaching credentials. Some of these programs are available at the undergraduate level only and some at the graduate level only and some at either level.
Graduate Degrees/Certificates
Masters Degree: 36 graduate credits. Can be completed with or without pursuit of teaching endorsements in ECSE
Educational Specialist Degree: at least 66 graduate credits beyond the Bachelor’s degree and at least 24 graduate credits competed after admission to Ed.S. program
Doctoral Degree: Doctor of Philosophy or Doctor of Education. 60-70 hours past the masters degree.
12 credit ECSE specialization on a M.A./M.S. or Ed.S. degree: Students may declare a ‘specialization” in ECSE on any Special Education degree (MA./M.S., Ed.S.) if they complete the 12 credit ECSE courses of SpEd 860 (3), 861 (3) or 862 (3), 863 (3) or 882 (3) and SpEd 960 (3) in addition to other major and degree requirements.
12 credit Graduate ECSE Certificate Program (non-degree). Students interested in pursing study of early childhood special education populations and services can apply for and complete the required courses for this non-degree certificate awarded by the UNL Graduate College. This is not a teaching endorsement/certification program. See below.
Graduate / Post Baccalaureate Teaching Endorsements
Add-on Endorsements
1. Preschool Disabilities (Birth thru Kindergarten) (NDE Rule 24 sec 006.46): (Contact Dr. Marvin)
Additional Endorsement for the candidate with a valid teaching certificate and endorsement in Special Education, Speech-Language Pathology or Middle / Secondary Education.
Required: 30 credits including practicum with infants, preschoolers and kindergarten-age transitions
2. Early Childhood Special Education (Birth-3rd grade (NDE Rule 24 Sec 006.55);(Advisor: Dr. Marvin)
Additional Endorsement for the candidate with a valid teaching certificate and endorsement in either Elementary (K-6) or Early Childhood Education (Pre-3), or Inclusive (Unified) Early Childhood Education (Birth to grade 3). 27 credits including practicum with infants and preschoolers with disabilities.
3. Early Childhood Education (P-3rd grade) (NDE Rule 24 sec 006.13) (Advisor: Dr. Susan Churchill)
For the candidate with a valid teaching certificate in Elementary Education; if teaching certificate is 7-12 the student must be able to attend classes during the day to pick up the needed undergraduate El. Ed. courses. 30 semester hours including student teaching with birth to age 5 populations (and K-3 if not El. Ed. already.)
1. Preschool Disabilities (Birth thru Kindergarten) (NDE Rule 24 sec 006.46)
Initial Teaching Certificate + M.A. for the candidate with a Bachelors Degree but no teaching credential. Candidates who had undergraduate majors in Speech-Language Pathology, Child Development, Psychology, etc. may find this initial teaching credential program attractive. The candidate must be accepted into the UNL Graduate College and the Masters Degree program in Special Education in order to pursue this credential. 36 credits minimum, includes 27 credits ECSE courses and practicum with infants, preschoolers and kindergarten transitions, plus other special education and general education courses. Interested students must pass the Pre-Professional Skills Test (PPST) before their application to the department will be reviewed. For more information go here.
2. Unified Early Childhood (Birth thru grade 3) (Rule 24 sec. 006.14) The Inclusive Early Childhood Education Programat UNL aims to prepare teachers for the Nebraska Unified Early Childhood Endorsement (Birth to grade 3). Initial Teaching Credential
prepares students for employment in the public schools to work with children birth thru Grade 3 and without disabilities. The IECE graduates can be employed in the schools as early childhood education or early childhood special education staff or Elementary school staff for K-3 programs (not elementary special education). Post-Baccalaureate students take classes along with undergraduates enrolled in the program; some graduate credits are possible.
Undergraduate Initial Teaching Certificates (Advisor: Susan Goodrich)
For more information about UNL undergraduate progrqams in Early Childhood Education. Post-bac programs can be designed for the student who already holds a bachelor's degree but no teaching certificate.
1. Early Childhood Education (P-3) and Elementary Education (K-6) Dual Major (Rule 24 sec 006.13 and 006.17 (K-6)
This Initial Teaching credential prepares students for employment in the public schools in Kindergarten thru Grade 6 programs and any public school-based preschool education programs such as Head Start, Title I, 4-yr Kindergarten, etc.
2. Unified Early Childhood (Birth thru grade 3) (Rule 24 sec. 006.14) The Undergraduate Inclusive Early Childhood Education Program at UNL aims to prepare teachers for the Nebraska Unified Early Childhood Endorsement (Birth to grade 3). ThisInitial Teaching Credential
program prepares students for employment in the public schools to work with children birth thru Grade 3 and without disabilities. These students can be employed in the schools as early childhood education or early childhood special education staff or Elementary school staff for K-3 programs (not elementary special education).
3. Early Care and Education (Birth to K) (Rule 24 sec oo6.XXX) prepares students to work as educators with infants, toddlers, preschool and kindergarten age children. Students are trained to work effectively with families and children from diverse backgrounds in schools, as well as childcare and community preschool programs.
Non-Certification Program
Child Development: through the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences. (Advisor: Dr. Goodrich) No teaching credential awarded. Prepares students for work in social services, child care, Head Start, child life programs.
What are the academic standards for the ECSE program?
