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Preschool & Early Intervention Master's Program


Graduates learn to work with infants, toddlers, and preschool children who need extra help in their development. They get to partner with families and other experts to create personalized plans for each child. Family-centered early intervention specialists get to work with families in their homes.

Preschool special education teachers have a variety of jobs. An inclusive or specialized preschool teacher, a co-teacher, or an itinerant support specialist. They also have the opportunity to work with general education preschool teachers and families to make sure each child gets an education suited to them.

*Currently we have funding available for your master’s degree with licensure in ECSE! Check out our grants page here for more information on funding opportunities and deadlines: https://special-ed.utah.edu/grants/index.php


M.Ed. with a License Course Requirements

64 total credit hours 

Teacher Education Core (21 credit hours)

Students who hold a valid Utah teaching license in Special Education may not need to complete the following courses. Check with your faculty advisor.

Number Course Name Credits Term

SP ED 5011

Inclusive Early Childhood and Elementary Classrooms 3 Spring

SP ED 6021

Principles of Assessment and Data-Based Decision Making 3 Fall, Spring, Summer

SP ED 6022

Principles of Instruction & Behavior Support 3 Fall, Spring, Summer

SP ED 6030

Functional Communication and Language Development

3 Spring, Summer
SP ED 6040 Legal & Policy Foundations of Special Education 3 Spring, Summer

Specialization in Preschool & Early Intervention (32 credit hours)

Number

Course Name

Credits

Term

SP ED 5260

Transdisciplinary Approaches for Students with Severe Disabilities

3

Spring

SP ED 6310

Curriculum and Programming for Preschool Children with Developmental Delays

3

Fall

SP ED 6320

Communication, Social and Play Development and Intervention in Early Childhood

3

Fall

SP ED 6330

Field Studies I: Early Childhood

4

Fall, Spring

SP ED 6340

Individualizing for Diverse Learning Needs

3

Fall

SP ED 6350

Collaborative Early Intervention for Infants and Toddlers with Developmental Delays

3

Spring

SP ED 6360

Supporting Young Children with Developmental Delays in Natural Environments

3

Spring

SP ED 6370

Early Childhood Seminar

2

Spring

SP ED 6390

Student Teaching: Early Intervention

4

Summer

SP ED 6400

Student Teaching: Preschool

4

Fall, Spring

Advanced Graduate Core (5 credit hours)

Number Course Name Credits Term
SP ED 6054 Professional Writing in Education 2 Fall, Spring, Summer
SP ED 6610 Introduction to Research Design 3 Spring, Summer

M.S. with a License Course Requirements

72.5 total credit hours

Teacher Education Core (22 credit hours)

Number Course Name Credits Term

SP ED 5011

Inclusive Early Childhood and Elementary Classrooms 3 Spring

SP ED 6011

Teaching Early Childhood and Elementary Students in Inclusive Classrooms 3 Spring

SP ED 6021

Principles of Assessment and Data-Based Decision Making 3 Fall, Spring, Summer

SP ED 6022

Principles of Instruction & Behavior Support 3 Fall, Spring, Summer

SP ED 6030

Functional Communication and Language Development

3 Spring, Summer
SP ED 6054

Professional Writing in Education

1 Fall, Spring, Summer

Specialization in Early Childhood (32.5 credit hours)

Number Course Name Credits Term

SP ED 5260

Transdisciplinary Approaches for Students with Severe Disabilities 

3

Spring

SP ED 6310

Curriculum and Programming for Preschool Children with Developmental Delays

3

Fall

SP ED 6320

Communication, Social, and Play Development and Intervention in Early Childhood

3

Fall

SP ED 6330

Field Studies: Early Childhood

4

Fall, Spring

SP ED 6340

Individualizing for Diverse Learning Needs

3

Fall

SP ED 6350

Collaborative Early Intervention for Infants and Toddlers with Developmental Delays

3

Spring

SP ED 6360

Supporting Young Children with Developmental Delays in Natural Environments

3

Spring

SP ED 6370

Early Childhood Seminar

2

Spring

SP ED 6390

Student Teaching: Early Intervention

4

Summer

SP ED 6400

Student Teaching: Preschool

4

Fall, Spring

Advanced Graduate Core (12 credit hours)

Number Course Name Credits Term

SP ED 6610

Introduction to Research Methods

3

Fall, Spring, Summer

SP ED 7010

Group Design and Research Analysis Single Subject Research Design

3 Contact Department

SP ED 7020

Assessment and Instructional Interventions in Reading Difficulties

3 Contact Department

Questions? Ask our Program Contacts

Kaitlin Lindsey

Academic Advisor

k.lindsey@utah.edu
801-581-4764

Susan Johnston

Professor
Program Coordinator

susan.johnston@utah.edu
801-581-5187

Last Updated: 9/16/24