Our early intervention licensure program prepares professionals to help children with disabilities and their families succeed.
A master’s in special education prepares professionals to work as specialists and consultants in programs that serve individuals with diverse learning needs (e.g., behavioral, academic, social).
Students typically earn a master’s degree upon program completion and enjoy almost 100% rate of employment.
Graduate studies in special education build capacity through:
- Personnel preparation
- Research
- Outreach
- Dissemination
These four focus areas allow students to learn systems and approaches that prevent and reduce the incidence and prevalence of disabilities, as well as how to provide supports for students with disabilities to successfully participate in schools and communities.
Our programs are designed for students who want to learn through rigorous coursework and a diverse array of unique practicum experiences. Courses and practicum experiences focus on:
- Characteristics of learners and services
- Cutting-edge assessment techniques
- Evidence-based approaches to designing and delivering instruction
- Effective classroom and behavior management techniques
- Coaching and collaborative educational practices
- Family support
- Transition services
Early Intervention Master’s and Licensure Program
The special education early intervention master’s and licensure program is designed to prepare professionals to:
- Provide quality early intervention services to infants, toddlers, and preschoolers with diverse backgrounds who experience disability and those who are at risk for delay or disability
- Facilitate the inclusion of children in community programs and provide family-guided support and intervention
- Assess and evaluate child/family progress and program effectiveness within a variety of service delivery models with an emphasis on inclusive settings
- Operate effectively within an interagency, interdisciplinary team approach
- Understand and use research outcomes to enhance educational services delivered to children who are at risk and disabled and their families
Program Requirements
Students in the early intervention program have the option to complete the requirements for the master’s degree and licensure program in 1 or 2 years.
All of our master’s degree programs conform to the established University of Oregon and College of Education requirements and procedures.
Students complete an integrated program:
- Minimum of 45 credits in courses approved for graduate credit taken as an admitted master’s degree student (51 credits minimum if doing a specialization area)
- Up to 15 credits may be officially transferred in through a petition process
- 24 credits must be in UO graded courses passed with a GPA of 3.0 or better
- At least 9 credits in 600-level courses must be taken in residence
- Minimum 30 credits in SPED courses
All credits for the degree (including transfer credits) must be completed within seven years.
Early Intervention Master’s Degree Plan
Sample Program Plan
Summer Term - 7 Credits
| course and Title | CREDITS |
|---|---|
| SPED 511 Foundations of Disability I [online] | 3 |
| SPED 526 Behavior and Classroom Management [online] | 4 |
Fall Term - 16 Credits
| course and Title | CREDITS |
|---|---|
| SPED 540 Early Literacy for Diverse Learner | 4 |
| SPED 610 EI/ECSE Methods I | 3 |
| EDUC 611 Survey Education Research Methods | 3 |
| SPED 680 Foundations in Early Childhood and Early Intervention | 3 |
| SPED 609 Practicum | 3 |
Winter Term - 15 Credits
| course and Title | CREDITS |
|---|---|
| SPED 609 Practicum | 3 |
| SPED 510 Law and Special Education [online] | 3 |
| SPED 610 EI/ECSE Methods II | 3 |
| SPED 681 Family-Guided Early Intervention | 3 |
| SPED 682 Assessment in Early Intervention | 3 |
Spring Term - 15 Credits
| course and Title | CREDITS |
|---|---|
| SPED 610 EI/ECSE Methods III | 3 |
| SPED 683 Curriculum in Early Childhood and Early Intervention | 3 |
| SPED 625 Final Supervised Field Experience | 9 |