Special Education, Master of Education (M.Ed.) with a concentration in early childhood < Virginia Commonwealth University Academ

Special Education, Master of Education (M.Ed.) with a concentration in early childhood < Virginia Commonwealth University Academic Catalog
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Special Education, Master of Education (M.Ed.) with a concentration in early childhood
Graduate Bulletin
School of Education
Department of Counseling and Special Education
Special Education, Master of Education (M.Ed.) with a concentration in early childhood
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This is the preliminary (or launch) version of the 2026-2027 VCU Bulletin. Courses that expose students to cutting-edge content and transformative learning may be added and notification of additional program approvals may be received prior to finalization. General education program content is also subject to change. The final edition and full PDF version will include these updates and will be available in August prior to the beginning of the fall semester.
Program goal
The Master of Education in Special Education program prepares graduates for work in one of three areas: early childhood, adapted curriculum or general education. Applicants who do not already hold a teaching license must meet both licensure and degree requirements prior to the awarding of the Master of Education degree unless exempted as a professional from another discipline. Teacher candidates should plan carefully with their adviser to ensure that the appropriate courses and experiences are completed. Successful completion of the degree program leads to endorsement in early childhood special education, adapted curriculum or special education-general education. This program is available in an online format.
The Master of Education in Special Education program with an early childhood concentration is a sequentially planned series of courses and clinical experiences designed to prepare individuals to work with young children, from birth through age 5, with developmental disabilities and their families. The program is learner-centered, innovative, interactive and collaborative. Through online discussions and face-to-face meetings with faculty members, community partners, student peers and program graduates, the ECSE teacher candidates have multiple opportunities to engage in interactive, proactive and dynamic dialogues.
Successful completion of the degree program qualifies candidates for teacher licensure with endorsement in early childhood special education by the Virginia Department of Education and initial early intervention certification. Candidates are prepared to intervene with infants and young children representing a wide range of abilities, including those at risk for developmental delays. As a result of training, candidates will be prepared to serve children and families in diverse and high-need communities in a variety of early intervention roles.
In addition to course work, candidates demonstrate their mastery of content knowledge and professional growth through completion of a comprehensive exam and comprehensive reflection in their final semester.
Student learning outcomes
Special education core outcomes
Learner and learning:
Understand human development and learning theories appropriate to the age group they will teach and acquire an awareness of the diversity of the school-age populations’ cultural backgrounds, learning strengths and needs
Instructional practice:
Demonstrate an ability to plan and implement effective teaching and measure student learning in ways that lead to sustained development and learning
Professional responsibility:
Develop an understanding of purposes for education and a defensible philosophical approach toward teaching and demonstrate professional dispositions
Early childhood concentration-specific outcome
Content
: Demonstrate knowledge of the subjects they will teach as an early childhood special education teacher or an early interventionist
VCU Graduate Bulletin, VCU Graduate School and general academic policies and regulations for all graduate students in all graduate programs
The VCU Graduate Bulletin website documents the official admission and academic rules and regulations that govern graduate education for all graduate programs at the university. These policies are established by the graduate faculty of the university through their elected representatives to the University Graduate Council.
It is the responsibility of all graduate students, both on- and off-campus, to be familiar with the VCU Graduate Bulletin as well as the
Graduate School website
and academic regulations in individual school and department publications and on program websites. However, in all cases, the official policies and procedures of the University Graduate Council, as published on the VCU Graduate Bulletin and Graduate School websites, take precedence over individual program policies and guidelines.
Visit the academic regulations section for
additional information on academic regulations for graduate students.
Degree candidacy requirements
A graduate student admitted to a program or concentration requiring a final research project, work of art, thesis or dissertation, must qualify for continuing master’s or doctoral status according to the degree candidacy requirements of the student’s graduate program. Admission to degree candidacy, if applicable, is a formal statement by the graduate student’s faculty regarding the student’s academic achievements and the student’s readiness to proceed to the final research phase of the degree program.
Graduate students and program directors should refer to the following degree candidacy policy as published in the VCU Graduate Bulletin for complete information and instructions.
Visit the academic regulations section for
additional information on degree candidacy requirements.
Graduation requirements
As graduate students approach the end of their academic programs and the final semester of matriculation, they must make formal application to graduate. No degrees will be conferred until the application to graduate has been finalized.
Graduate students and program directors should refer to the following graduation requirements as published in the Graduate Bulletin for a complete list of instructions and a graduation checklist.
Visit the academic regulations section for
additional information on graduation requirements.
Apply online today.
Admission requirements
Admission requirements
Degree:
Semester(s) of entry:
Deadline dates:
Test requirements:
M.Ed.
Fall
Mar 15
Spring
Nov 1
Summer
Mar 15
In addition to the
general admission requirements of the VCU Graduate School
, the following requirements represent the minimum acceptable standards for admission:
Bachelor’s degree
Three letters of recommendation addressing the student’s potential for graduate study in education
Statement of intent
Transcripts of all previous college work
Interview at the discretion of the program
Additionally, there are several tests that students must pass for admission to teacher preparation, admission to student teaching and licensure in Virginia. Students should consult the
Teacher Preparation page
on the School of Education website for current testing requirements.
Applicants who do not have a provisional or professional collegiate teaching license in special education must take
SEDP 630
as a prerequisite course.
Admission to clinical experiences in schools requires a background check and fingerprinting.
Please visit the
School of Education website
for further information.
Degree requirements
In addition to general
VCU Graduate School graduation requirements
, students are required to complete course work in core and elective courses.
Credit hour requirements: Students are required to complete a minimum of 37 credit hours.
Grade requirements: Receipt of a grade of C or below in two courses constitutes automatic dismissal from the program. Courses with a grade below C cannot be used to satisfy degree requirements.
Initial licensure milestone requirements: Students must successfully complete all
initial licensure milestone requirements
. Those not able to complete the requirements may pursue the non-licensure option.
Curriculum requirements
Licensure option
Course
Title
Hours
Core courses
EDUS 607
Advanced Educational Psychology
EDUS 660
Research Methods in Education
SEDP 501
Characteristics of Individuals with Disabilities: ____
SEDP 533
Assessment of Individuals with Disabilities: ____
SEDP 601
Instructional Methods and Programming for Individuals with Disabilities: ____
SEDP 603
Theories, Assessment and Practices in Literacy Development for Individuals with Exceptionalities: ____
SEDP 631
Behavior Support of Individuals with Disabilities: ____
Concentration courses
ECSE 500
Language/Communication Intervention for Young Children with Disabilities
ECSE 542
Family/Professional Partnerships
ECSE 603
Integrated Early Childhood Programs I
ECSE 641
Interdisciplinary Methods in Early Intervention
ECSE 672
Internship in Early Development and Intervention
ECSE 700
Externship
Total Hours
37
The minimum number of graduate credit hours required for this degree is 37.
Non-licensure option
Course
Title
Hours
Core courses
EDUS 607
Advanced Educational Psychology
EDUS 660
Research Methods in Education
SEDP 501
Characteristics of Individuals with Disabilities: ____
SEDP 533
Assessment of Individuals with Disabilities: ____
SEDP 601
Instructional Methods and Programming for Individuals with Disabilities: ____
SEDP 603
Theories, Assessment and Practices in Literacy Development for Individuals with Exceptionalities: ____
SEDP 631
Behavior Support of Individuals with Disabilities: ____
Concentration courses
ECSE 500
Language/Communication Intervention for Young Children with Disabilities
ECSE 542
Family/Professional Partnerships
ECSE 603
Integrated Early Childhood Programs I
ECSE 641
Interdisciplinary Methods in Early Intervention
ECSE 672
Internship in Early Development and Intervention
SEDP 651
Topics in Education
1-3
Restricted electives
Select 1-3 credits from list below, in consultation with an advisor.
1-3
ADMS 622
Understanding Diversity and Leading for Social Justice
ADMS 630
Understanding and Engaging School Communities
ADMS 655
Student-Centered Policy and Collaboration
ADMS 656
Human Dimensions of Leadership: Empathy, Trust and Care in Organizations
ADMS 658
Community-Based Action Research for Education Stakeholders
SEDP 531
Educational Foundations for Collaboration and Universally Designed Learning
SEDP 798
Thesis
TEDU 531
Media Literacy in the K-12 Classroom
TEDU 561
Literacy Foundations and Language Acquisition
TEDU 615
Curriculum Development
TEDU 652
Methods for Teaching Multilingual Learners
SEDP 641
Independent Study
Total Hours
37
Students should consult with an advisor to determine how many credits of SEDP 651 to take.
Students may choose another elective not on this list in consultation with an advisor.
The minimum number of graduate credit hours required for this degree is 37.
Students who complete the above requirements will receive a Master of Education in Special Education.
Contact
Office of Strategic Recruitment
soeinfo@vcu.edu
(804) 827-6847
Additional contact
Christine Spence, Ph.D.
Assistant professor and graduate program director
spencecm@vcu.edu
(804) 828-1332
Program website:
soe.vcu.edu/academics/masters-programs/med-special-education
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, Virginia 23284
Phone: (804) 828-0100
bulletin@vcu.edu
All Bulletins © 2026-2027 Virginia Commonwealth University
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