MEd in Special Education (Birth Through Kindergarten/Preschool Special Education)
The M.Ed. in Special Education is for students entering the master’s program who have completed undergraduate training in a teacher education field and who have a teaching certificate. This advanced program includes the study of research methods and findings that allow students to become skilled consumers. What makes your M.Ed. experience unique is the formal research done as part of your final applied project.
Prepare to work with children birth through age 5 both with and without disabilities. The birth through kindergarten/preschool special education emphasis promotes developmentally appropriate inclusive and collaborative teaching practices. Our graduates specialize in providing engaging instruction and support to young children and their families. The special education program recommends to the Georgia Professional Standards Commission that a graduate be awarded a clear renewable teaching certificate in birth through kindergarten and preschool special education.
This program has a limited number of federally funded fellowships available through the PIPs project.
Training in this program prepares pre-service teachers to teach in inclusive early learning, preschool, prekindergarten, and kindergarten programs, along with early intervention (0-3) and preschool intervention (3-5) programs.
Highlights
- Earn certificate upgrade in special education and an elementary education field
- Diverse career opportunities available in home, center, and public school settings
- Opportunities to have an effect on the development of young learners and their families
Curriculum
The minimum 36 hours of coursework includes required courses and applied research individualized to the student’s career objectives. This allows students to gain advanced knowledge and skills in various special education topic areas and across the lifespan.
During the course of the program, all candidates will have an opportunity to work with children in each of the grade bands as required by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission. The grade bands are Infant–Toddler, Ages 3–4, and Kindergarten.
Master’s students are required to complete an “applied project” rather than a typical thesis. These projects consist of extensive research and writing a proposal while enrolled in an independent study course the semester prior to the project’s anticipated start.
Once the proposal is approved by the student’s advisor, it is implemented the following semester. The project is completed “in the field” with real students and actual strategies gleaned from the research. Completed works are presented to a graduate committee, and must be approved by a clear majority before the student is allowed to graduate.
For birth through kindergarten students, coursework includes:
- Infant/toddler development and teaching methods
- Preschool curriculum development
- Observation and assessment techniques
- Communication and language development
- Teaching methods for children with developmental delays
- Applied behavior analysis
Our Faculty
Our nationally recognized faculty will work with you to customize your degree program. Learn more about our faculty and their expertise.
Additional information and disclosures regarding state licensure for professional practice in this field can be found at the UGA Licensure Disclosure Portal .
How to Apply
Part 1: Apply to the University of Georgia
The Graduate School handles admission for all graduate programs at the University of Georgia, including those in the College of Education. The Graduate School website contains important details about the application process, orientation, and many other useful links to guide you through the process of attending UGA at the graduate level.
Start A Graduate School Application
Part 2: Apply to the MEd in Special Education (Birth Through Kindergarten/Preschool Special Education)
Students who meet all of the following requirements are eligible to apply:
- Professional preparation: Earned, or will have earned, a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution before the date of enrollment at the University of Georgia.
- GPA: Minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.7 for all courses taken.
- TOEFL: Foreign applicants will also need to score a minimum of 20 points each on the Speaking and Writing sections of the TOEFL with an overall minimum score of 80. Test scores must be within 5 years from the date of application.
This program takes a holistic approach to admissions and does not require standardized testing scores to be submitted, e.g. no GRE or MAT scores are required.
In the Graduate School application, students should upload the following items:
- Statement of purpose: Please submit a two page, single-spaced statement of purpose, outlining your teaching philosophy, experience, and career goals, as well as answering the following questions:
- What types of disabilities do you have experience with and envision yourself working with?
- In what setting would you like to work (e.g., school, clinic, home-based)?
- What is your primary age/grade of interest?
- Resume/CV
Applicants will be admitted based on the faculty’s evaluation of undergraduate GPA, quality of the essay, letters of recommendation, resume, and TOEFL scores (where relevant).
Deadline to Apply
- April 1 (Summer and Fall)
- November 1 (Spring)
- Assistantship-seeking applicants: January 1
Additional Resources
Please use our online form if you have any questions for the department. Please be as specific as possible so that we may quickly assist you.
The College’s programs are taught by dedicated faculty who are experts in a range of areas and are passionate about helping students succeed both in their programs and professionally.
A close working relationship with your advisor is key as you progress through your program of study. Please note that most graduate students at UGA are not assigned to a faculty advisor until after admittance.
Almost all in-state students begin their studies at UGA paying limited tuition or fees. Please note that these amounts are subject to change and are meant to give prospective students an idea of the costs associated with a degree at the University of Georgia College of Education.
Students may qualify for a variety of assistantships, scholarships, and other financial awards to help offset the cost of tuition, housing, and other expenses.
Our students have a range of opportunities available outside the classroom as well, from professional organizations, experiential learning, clubs and other non-academic experiences.
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