Early Childhood Special Education

Graduate students, Ashley Miller and Erika Paz, engage in some interactive play.
Graduate student Casey Weston explains why she chose Radford University.
Choose one of three tracks in pursuit of your goals
Teaching young children and working with their families is a rewarding career. Each of these tracks will prepare you well for this field.
B.S. degree without a teaching license
Some career options for this track include:
- Working with Head Start
- Being employed in a child care program, either as a teacher or administrator
- Working as an early intervention assistant
B.S. degree with a teaching license (Birth to 5, Children with Disabilities)
The following careers are available with this license:
- Providing developmental services or service coordination for children birth to three with disabilities
- Teaching children in an early childhood special education class
B.S. degree with a teaching license (Birth to 5, Children with Disabilities) to move on for an additional year in the 4+1 Program to be eligible for an additional license (PreK-3rd grade)
This track will qualify you for these careers:
- Virginia Preschool Initiative Teacher
- Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd or 3rd grade teacher
Get your BS if you have your AAS
For students who have completed an AAS degree in Early Childhood from a Virginia Community College, they can pursue a B.S. degree with or without a teaching license (Birth to 5, Children with Disabilities). Learn more about that option here.
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 program. More information may be obtained by visiting Radford University's catalog. Select the Early Childhood Special Education link.
MEET THE PROFESSORS

Dr. Sharon Gilbert
Professor
Contact for Early Childhood Special Education
Early Intervention Specialist
Office: Peters Hall C160
Phone: 540-831-7117
Email: sgilbert13@radford.edu
I love feeling like I make a difference in my students' lives and helping them to make a difference in their students' lives.

Dr. Whitney Idol
Assistant Professor
Early Childhood Special Education/Special Education
Office: Peters Hall C170
Phone: 540-831-7650
Email: widol@radford.edu
Passion is contagious and has the power to start great things for the greater good.

Dr. Boyoung Park
Professor
Early Childhood
Head Start and Child Care Specialist
Office: Peters Hall C161
Phone: 540-831-7118
Email: bpark3@radford.edu
I believe young children can learn anything when the teacher has created good lesson plans. I also believe children must learn everything in early childhood such as math, science, history, economics, as well as literacy.