Early Childhood Special Education and Elementary: PreK to 3rd Grade Fifth Year Program
The Early Childhood Special Education (Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Program - IDEC) pre-professional option leads to a B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies and licensure in Early Childhood Special Education (Birth to 5, Children with Disabilities). Graduates can continue in the program for an additional, leading to an M.S. in Education and licensure in Early Education (PreK-3).
Progress sheets for the Early Childhood Special Education Teacher Preparation Program can be found on the College of Education and Human Development Advising Resources page. Select the academic year and then choose Early Childhood Special Education 5 year plan. More information may be obtained by visiting Radford University's catalog. Scroll down to Five Year M.S. in Education Program with Licensure in PreK-3 and Early Childhood Education.
Competencies
Candidates in this major develop competencies in:
- Teaching in Virginia Preschool Initiative, kindergarten, first, second, and third grade classrooms to maximize learning for all students
- Inclusive Education
- Collaboration
- Universally designing instruction for learning
- Managing classroom behaviors
Undergraduate Program Requirements
Prior to applying to the Teacher Education Program, typically in the spring of their third year at Radford University, students should:
- Take and pass Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment (VCLA)
- Complete 50 hours of teaching children (paid or volunteer)
- Maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA
Graduate Admission Requirements
- Minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0
- Completion of the application and submission of application fee
- An up-to-date professional resume
- Official undergraduate transcripts from all schools attended
- Two professional recommendations
Master's Degree Class and Internship Requirements
The following courses are required for the master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction: Early Childhood:
- EDEF 605: Introduction to Educational Research
- EDEF 607: Foundations of Education
- EDET 620: Educational Technology: Applications, Applied Research and Integration
- EDRD 689: Development
and Assessment of Early Childhood Comprehension and Writing
- EDUC 510: Methods for Elementary Math Instruction
- EDUC 530: Field Applications of Professional Studies in the Elementary Classroom
- EDUC 603: Evaluation of Student Learning
- EDUC 651: Student Teaching: Grades PreK – 3
- EDUC 670: Basic Principles and Practices of Multicultural Education
Accreditation
Our program has undergone rigorous review to assure that our candidates and program meet standards as set forth by the teaching profession and the Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and the Southern Association of Colleges (SACS).