Our distance masters/licensure program is ideal for early childhood educators, paraprofessionals, or educational assistants in EI/ECSE programs who are working in Oregon and:
- Love working with young children and are committed to the field
- Want to learn more about evidence-based practices that will help young children with disabilities learn and grow
- Are ready to advance your career and obtain your teaching license
- Have an undergraduate degree
Make A Bigger Difference, Become An EI/ECSE Specialist
Learn how the perspectives we hold and the practices we teach can make a difference in the lives of young children with special needs and their families. Deepen your understanding of what young children with disabilities need to learn and grow.
Move Up With Us!
Using evidence-based practices and positive behavior strategies you will learn how to teach young children with special needs in their home and preschool environments.
Our high quality training program is customized for students who want to advance their careers while staying in their community. Our new distance program allows students to attend our master’s/licensure program without moving to Eugene. Students can complete the program in 2 years or less and may be able to complete their required practicum experiences at their workplace, while they are on the job.
Get Your SPED:EI License Without Leaving Your Job!
Our part-time program is customized for early childhood paraprofessionals/teachers who are ready to move up and get their teaching license. View the Sample Program Course Schedule.
- Preliminary Oregon Teaching License with endorsement in SPED:EI
- Focus = young children B-5 with special needs (disabilities and/or delays)
- Can be completed in 6-7 terms
- Flexible to meet each student’s needs
- Individualized advising to help the program fit each student’s situation
- Distance program—travel not required
- Courses are fully on-line and offered in real time via video-conferencing
- All courses begin at 5pm to accommodate work schedules
- Basic requirements:
- Access to high-speed internet
- Undergraduate degree
- Access to computer and printer
- Employer cooperation (e.g., school districts, preschool program): Check the Field Experience Requirement to ensure that your employer can support this requirement.
What Our Students Are Saying
Meet Evan Alder, a current master's student in the Early Intervention/Early Childhood Special Education Distance Learning program.
Evan shares his experience as a student in the program and why the flexibility of the distance learning program is important to him.
Two-Year Distance Program Scholarship
Applicants that are officially admitted to the EI/ECSE Distance program are eligible to apply for the Distance scholarship. Once admitted to the Distance Program students will be sent a link in order to submit their application.
Information regarding EI/ECSE Distance Scholarship:
Scholarship Qualifications:
- Admitted to the UO Graduate School
- Admitted to the EI/ECSE part-time, two-year virtual Licensure Program
- Employed outside of Lane County in the EI/ECSE field
- Statement of support from employer (both recommendation + agreement to support clinical practices)
Scholarship Administration:
- Awarded $4,500 each academic year across two years
- The monies are distributed equally across terms (excluding summer)
Scholarship Continuation:
- Students must maintain good academic standing
- Students must remain eligible for licensure
- Students must complete the program within three years (allowing for a one year leave of absence if necessary)
Additional Resources