ECS 103 - Introduction to Inclusive Early Education

In this course students explore early intervention and early childhood special education services.  Students learn guidelines for best practice in inclusive early education and roles of the various professionals working within the discipline.  In addition, students gain introductory knowledge of the special needs of young children with or at-risk for disability and their families (including families from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds) through class discussions, guest lectures, and observations of various programs serving young children with special needs. Every semester. CCP Credit: 4

ECS 203 - Supporting Children in Inclusive Settings

This course provides an introduction to working with young children with exceptional strengths and needs and their families, including families from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds.  Focusing on young children, birth through age eight, the course emphasizes environmental and teacher-supported strategies, accommodations, and the use of assistive technology to support children's full participation in inclusive early care and education settings. Prerequisite(s): ECS 103 or permission from instructor and concurrent enrollment in ECH 192 or other practicum. Every semester. CCP Credit: 4

ECS 207 - Supporting Social/Emotional Development in Inclusive Settings

This course examines typical and atypical social-emotional development of young children, as well as risk factors impacting social-emotional development. Students learn techniques for supporting positive behavior [to prevent inappropriate behavior] and strategies for building children's social competence. Students are introduced to interventions for addressing challenging behaviors. Prerequisite(s): ECS 203. Once a year. Credit: 4

ECS 307 - Addressing Developmental Differences of Young Children

This course addresses developmental differences of young children with disabilities, including children with significant health care needs. Students learn about the interaction of delays in development (cognitive, communication, social/emotional, and physical development) and the effect on play and learning.  Using a child study approach, students identify accommodations and supports, plan and implement individually appropriate activities across content/subject areas, embed IFSP/IEP objectives, and incorporate assistive technology device(s) or alternative and augmentative communication (ACC).  Students will work to develop cultural competence while learning about perspectives of families of diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds. Prerequisite(s): ECS 203. Once a year. CCP Credit: 4

ECS 374 - Advanced Curriculum Planning and Intervention Strategies

This course focuses on linking curriculum, instruction/intervention, and assessment.  Students review and evaluate commercial curricula and assessments while learning more about individualizing planning, embedding learning opportunities, and using child-focused instructional strategies for children with disabilities. Students learn how to: 1) assess a child's current level of development, 2) write an individualized plan that addresses the child's strengths and needs and the family's concerns, priorities, and resources, and 3) plan and monitor developmentally and individually appropriate instructional activities.  Students continue to develop advanced cultural competences as they study historic court case regarding assessment practices and children of color and/or children who are English language learners. This course includes a five hour a week field experience with children of diverse abilities and backgrounds. Prerequisite(s): ECS majors, professional standing, ECS 103, and ECS 203. Every year. CCP  Credit: 4

ECS 375 - Advanced Practicum in Early Childhood Special Education

This practicum provides an in-depth experience in working with children with disabilities.  Students may select from settings that provide home-based, center-based, school, or community-based services.  This practicum may be taken for 2-4 credits (2 1/2 hours of classroom work per week for each credit hour). Prerequisite(s): ECS major, ECS 374 or permission of instructor. Every semester. Credit: 2-4

ECS 476 - Advanced Assessment in Early Childhood Special Education

This course focuses on the assessment process including screening, determining eligibility, and evaluating the education program. Students learn about family-centered assessment and use various assessment approaches to gather information about the child. Class discussions and readings address considerations for assessing children from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds. Assessment bias and historic court cases are included.  The course requires students to administer norm-reference and criterion-referenced assessments, interpret assessment information, and learn how to write an assessment report. This course includes a 5 hour a week field experience. Prerequisite(s): ECS 203, statistics, and junior level standing or permission of instructor. Every year. CCP  Credit: 4

ECS 479 - Internship/Student Teaching in Early Childhood Special Education

Student teaching/internship consists of 12.5 hours per week, for two semesters or 25 hours per week for one semester in a program which delivers early childhood special education or early intervention services. Students work under the guidance of a mentor while being supervised by a university faculty member. This unpaid experience is an opportunity for students to experience teaching, case management, assessment activities, working with families, and other responsibilities of early childhood special education professionals. In addition to the field experiences, students enroll concurrently in ECS 374 or ECS 476. The combination of coursework and field experience provides an opportunity for students to apply new knowledge, share information, and discuss new experiences. This course may be taken over 2 semesters at 4 credits per semester or over 1 semester for 8 credits. Students may elect an additional 4 credits to complete a semester total of 12 credits. A one hour seminar accompanies this course. Prerequisite(s): ECS majors and completion of at least 80% of professional courses. Every semester. Credit: 8-12