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Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education, Birth to Primary, Master of Arts in Education


Modality: The Advanced Behavior Management concentration is fully online. The Moderate to Severe Disabilities and TESOL concentrations are fully online with internship.

 

Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education, Birth to Primary (0461)


  • Graduate
  • Master of Arts in Education
  • Education & Behavioral Science
  • Teacher Education, School of

Overview

Candidates pursuing the MAE in Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education will choose one of the following concentrations: Advanced Behavior Management, Teaching English to Speakers of other Languages (TESOL), Moderate to Severe Disabilities (MSD), or Individualized IECEThe degree can be used for a Rank change (for KY teachers) and for pursuing additional certifications.

Students are expected to become competent in theory, research, and application of best teaching practices related to young children both with and without disabilities from birth through 5 years of age and their families. Students exhibit appropriate teacher disposition behaviors as indicated by the College of Education and Behavioral Sciences Teacher Disposition Rating Form.  

This program is exempt from the maximum of 12 hours denoted in the Duplication of Coursework policy.  All concentration hours may be duplicated on one additional graduate degree or certificate at the same level.

Concentrations

  • Advanced Behavior Management (ABM)
  • Moderate to Severe Disabilities (IMSD)
  • Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) (KE36)
  • Individualized IECE (INIE)

Program Admission

The MAE in Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education (IECE) offers courses and experiences for the advanced preparation of individuals holding certification. 

  • Applicants who are currently certified or hold a statement of eligibility must submit a copy of the teaching certificate or Statement of Eligibility with the application.

Kentucky applicants whose certificates have expired may be admitted, but they may enroll for only six hours before they must apply to the EPSB for reissued certificates. After completion of six hours, a student admitted with an expired certificate must submit a copy of the re-issued certificate before being allowed to register for any additional courses. Applicants from out-of-state with expired certificates must complete the requirements for their respective states to renew their certificates and submit a copy of the reissued certificate.

Program Requirements (30-31 hours) 

Students will complete core courses in addition to one concentration. 

Course List
Core Courses15
IECE 520
Organizing Programs for Early Childhood Special Education
or SLP 517
Normal Language Development
or IECE 510
Early Reading, Language, and Literacy
IECE 521
Assessment in Early Childhood Special Education
IECE 522
Family-Focused Services
IECE 523
Planning Curriculum and Instruction in Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education
SPED 523
Curriculum/Methods in Early Childhood Special Education
Concentration Courses15-16
Total Hours30-31

Individualized IECE (15 hours)

Course List
Core Courses15
Concentration Courses15
IECE 510
Early Reading, Language, and Literacy *
IECE 423G
Interdisciplinary Services for Young Children with Low Incidence Disabilities
IECE 524
Internship in Early Childhood Special Education
IECE 525
Special Topics in Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education
SPED 590
Advanced Internship in Special Education
or EDFN 500
Research Methods
Total Hours30
*

Students pursuing the Individualized IECE concentration will need to complete IECE 510 or SLP 517 and IECE 520.

Advanced Behavior Management Concentration (also a WKU certificate #1736) (15 hours) 

Course List
Core Courses15
Concentration Courses15
SPED 501
Introduction to Applied Behavior Analysis
SPED 502
Positive Behavior Supports
or EDU 502
Positive Learning Environment
SPED 503
Behavior Assessment
SPED 504
Instruction to Improve Behavior
SPED 505
Ethics Surrounding Behavior Issues
Total Hours30

Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) Concentration (KE36) (16 Hours)

Course List
Core Courses15
Concentration Courses16
ENG 407G
Linguistic Analysis
ENG 408G
Psycholinguistics and Sociolinguistics
ENG 565
Integrated Teaching English as a Second Language
ENG 566
Seminar in Teaching English as a Second Language
ENG 471G
TESL Practicum
Total Hours31

Moderate to Severe Disabilities Concentration (15 Hours)

Course List
Core Courses15
Concentration Courses15
SPED 529
Assessment of Students with Moderate to Severe Disabilities
SPED 535
Curriculum for Individuals with Moderate and Severe Disabilities
SPED 610
Characteristics of Low Incidence Disorders
SPED 615
Instructional Strategies for Students with Moderate and Severe Disabilities
SPED 590
Advanced Internship in Special Education (or advisor-approved equivalent)
Total Hours30
 

 

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 Last Modified 7/30/26