Early Childhood Special Education Endorsement

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The Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) Endorsement is designed to prepare students to become highly effective and culturally responsive teachers of young children, birth through age eight, with exceptionalities. ECSE students must either be accepted to MSU Denver's teacher licensure program OR already hold an initial Colorado teaching license. Upon successful completion of this endorsement program, candidates will be recommended for added endorsement in Early Childhood Special Education through the Colorado Department of Education.

ECSE endorsement students take classes and participate in field experiences that support the knowledge, understandings, and competencies established by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), the Colorado Department of Education (CDE), and the Council of Exceptional Children (CEC) to ensure successful work with children in inclusive classrooms and diverse settings.

Early Childhood Special Education Endorsement Program

The Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE birth -age 8) endorsement represents a block of courses that MSU Denver undergraduate students can add to their initial teacher - licensure program. The teacher -licensure majors that are most likely to add the endorsement in ECSE are Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, and Special Education. Students who already have an initial teaching license may complete the endorsement as a post bac.

Students who do not have specific foundational courses in Early Childhood Education will be required to take additional ECE courses. These are: ECE 2400, ECE 2970, ECE 3120, ECE 3140, and ECE 3860,

Required Pre-requisite Courses

Students who do not have the foundational courses in Early Childhood Education and Child Development listed below will be required to take additional ECE courses.

ECE 2400 - Development and Characteristics of Early Learners Credits: 3
ECE 2970 - Supporting Social Emotional Competence Credits: 3
ECE 3120 - Early Literacy Development: Birth to Age 5 Credits: 3
ECE 3140 - Math and Science: Birth to Age 5 Credits: 3
ECE 3860 - Cultural Socialization of Children Credits: 3

Required Courses

ECE 2600 - The Exceptional Child Credits: 3
ECE 3460 - Assessment and Planning for the Exceptional Child (Birth - age 5) Credits: 3
ECE 3600 - Curriculum in Inclusive Settings 0 to 5 Credits: 3
ECE 3620 - Collaborative Partnerships in Early Childhood Special Education Credits: 3
ECE 3650 - Curriculum in Inclusive Settings: K-3rd Credits: 3
ECE 4395 - Student Teaching and Seminar: Early Childhood Special Education (Preschool through Third Grade) Credits: 6 or 12
SED 3650 - Individualized Education and Curriculum Credits: 3
SED 3750 - Assessment, Methods, and Assistive Technology for Severe Disabilities Credits: 3
SED 3820 - Elements of Literacy Instruction for Students with Disabilities Credits: 3
SED 4050 - Assessment and Instructional Planning Credits: 3
39 Total Credit Hours: 27 (coursework) + 12 (student teaching)