The early childhood intervention specialist program at Kent State University is designed for individuals interested in working with young children with disabilities or at risk for disabilities and their families.   The program prepares early educators (age 3-8) and early intervention (birth-age 3) professionals to meet the learning and developmental needs of all infant, toddler, preschooler, kindergarten and elementary age children, including those at risk for and with disabilities.

The ECIS program offers courses of study leading to the following options:

1. licensure in early childhood special education (early childhood intervention specialist initial license);
2. pre-k special needs concentration (includes prescribed courses that can apply toward consideration by ODE for the Pre-K Special Needs Endorsement and can be added to any non-degree SPED licensure or the ECE license);
3. early intervention certificate;
4. master’s degree in special education; or
5. doctorate in special education.   

Licensure

If you are interested in Special Education Licensure, you must be fully admitted into the Early Childhood Intervention Specialist Licensure Preparation (Non-degree) Program and complete the prescribed coursework on the prospectus in addition to courses that are prescribed here for the Master's Degree.

Contact Information

We would be happy to answer your questions or provide you with additional information about our programs:

• Dr. Sanna Harjusola-Webb
• Dr. Ching-I Chen

The General Special Education concentration prepares quality teachers of exceptional learners.

The general special education concentration provides an opportunity for already licensed teachers to engage in endorsement or certificate training to enhance their existing skills. Moreover, graduates learn to use evidence-based practices to guide their direct service, support and consultation skills in schools and other agencies as professionals work together with individuals with exceptionalities and their families.

Please contact Dr. Sloane Burgess for more information.

Licensure

If you are interested in Special Education Licensure, you must be fully admitted into the Non-Degree Special Education General Special Education Licensure Preparation Program and complete the prescribed coursework on the prospectus in addition to courses that are prescribed here for the Master's Degree.

The Master’s Degree in Special Education Mild/Moderate Education Needs concentration provides advanced knowledge about special education for K-12 students with mild/moderate disabilities. Students with mild/moderate disabilities most often participate in the general curriculum. These students may require specially designed intervention and support in the areas of academics, non-cognitive skills, social and emotional functioning, behavior, and/or career preparation and postsecondary transition. Disabilities served by teachers with mild to moderate training and licensure include but are not limited to learning disabilities, emotional and behavioral disorders, ADHD/other health impairments, mild intellectual disabilities, and (when appropriate) autism spectrum disorder.

The Master’s Degree – Mild/Moderate concentration is designed to provide advanced knowledge and skills in the following areas:

1. Identifying, designing, implementing, and evaluating effective, research-based practices that address the special education needs of K-12 students with mild/moderate disabilities
2. Understanding and analyzing contemporary issues, trends, and controversies related to special education and mild/moderate disabilities
3. Explaining the various roles of scientific research in theory development, policy making, and improving educational and other outcomes for K-12 students with mild/moderate disabilities

Licensure

Please note that the Master’s degree and Non-degree Graduate Licensure Preparation Program are distinct and separate. If you are interested in Mild/Moderate Special Education Licensure in addition to a Master’s degree, you must be fully admitted into the Mild/Moderate Educational Needs Licensure Preparation (Non-Degree) and complete the prescribed coursework for that program in addition to that prescribed for the Master’s Degree.

Please contact Dr. Nathan Stevenson for more information about Mild/Moderate Graduate Programs.

The Master’s Degree in Special Education Moderate/Intensive Educational Needs concentration provides students with advanced knowledge about special education for students with moderate/intensive educational needs including intellectual disabilities, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), multiple disabilities, and complex health impairments.

Students with moderate/intensive educational needs generally do not fully participate in the general education curriculum and require access to a modified curriculum and/or other extensive special education (SPED) supports. Although they may participate in general education classrooms for parts of their day, they are more likely to receive their special education supports within small groups or individually in settings such as resource rooms, or classrooms or programs developed specifically for students with disabilities. Moderate/intensive special educators teach a broad range of skills including academics, adaptive and life skills, self-regulation, and leisure and social skills, and (in older grades) career training and post-school transition skills.

The Master’s Degree - Moderate/Intensive concentration is designed to provide advanced knowledge and skills in the following areas:

• Identifying, designing, implementing, and evaluating effective, research-based practices that address the special educational needs of K-12 students with moderate/intensive educational needs;
• Understanding and analyzing contemporary issues, trends, and controversies related to special education and moderate/intensive educational needs; and
• Explaining the various roles of scientific research in theory development, policy-making, and improving educational and other outcomes for K-12 students with moderate/intensive disabilities.

Licensure

Please note that the Master’s degree and Non-degree Graduate Licensure Preparation Program are distinct and separate. If you are interested in Moderate/Intensive Special Education Licensure in addition to a Master’s degree, you must be fully admitted into the Moderate/Intensive Educational Needs Licensure Preparation (Non-Degree) and complete the prescribed coursework for that program in addition to that prescribed for the Master’s Degree.

Please contact Dr. Sloane Burgess for more information about Moderate/Intensive Graduate Programs.