Early Childhood Special Education, Minor

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The purpose of the Early Childhood Special Education (ECS) minor is to respond to the national need for all teachers, home visitors, and other professionals to provide appropriate educational support to young children with disabilities and their families. ECS minors will gain knowledge and skills for working with children with disabilities ages birth through 5 years and their families across a range of educational, therapeutic, and community settings.

The ECS minor comprises 15 credits as described below and is open to students in any major. A grade of B- or higher must be achieved in all ECS courses to complete the minor successfully. Interested students must complete an application and submit it to the Department of Early Childhood Special Education. Applicants meeting the following requirements will be considered for admission (based on enrollment capacity of the program):

Current GPA of at least 2.75
12 earned credits
Interview with a faculty member in Early Childhood Special Education

NOTE: Courses from other institutions are not automatically equivalent for the minor.

Total Credits for the Minor: 15

A minimum of one-third of the required credits must be earned at UMF for the minor to be awarded.

Required Courses (15 credits from the following):

ECS 103 - Introduction to Teaching Early Childhood Special Education Credits: 3
ECS 207 - Guidance and Behavioral Interventions for Social Emotional Challenges in Early Childhood Special Education Credits: 3
ECS 277 - Topics in Early Childhood Special Education Credits: 3
ECS 280 - Specially Designed Instruction for the Young Child with Disabilities Credits: 3
ECS 281 - Strategies for the Inclusive Early Childhood Classroom Credits: 3
ECS 296 - Introductory Practicum & Seminar in Early Childhood Special Education Credits: 3
ECS 297 - Independent Study in Early Childhood Special Education Credits: 1-3
* ECS 303 - ACES and Trauma Informed Early Childhood Practice Credits: 3
ECS 306 - The Opioid Crisis, Young Children, and Families Credits: 3
ECS 377 - Topics in Early Childhood Special Education Credits: 3
ECS 396 - Advanced Practicum & Seminar in Early Childhood Special Education Credits: 3
ECS 397 - Independent Study in Early Childhood Special Education Credits: 1-3
ECS 401 - Culturally Responsive Intervention Practices Credits: 3
ECS 404 - Early Intervention Credits: 3
ECS 476 - Assessment for Young Children At-Risk for Disability Credits: 3
ECS 477 - Topics in Early Childhood Special Education Credits: 3
ECS 497 - Independent Study in Early Childhood Special Education Credits: 1-3
*This course is cross-listed with ECH 303 .