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Early Intervention/Early Childhood Special Education Master’s and Licensure 

Our licensure program prepares professionals to help children birth through 5 years with disabilities to succeed. Students learn to provide high quality services to young children with special needs with a focus on inclusive practices and family-guided intervention.  

The Early Intervention major leads to a master's degree in Special Education with an emphasis in Early Intervention/Early Childhood Special Education (EI/ECSE).  

Why get your Master’s+License in EI/ECSE? 

Graduates of the program are prepared to fill a variety of professional roles: 

Our faculty has a long history of innovation and cutting-edge research that has served to shape and continues to impact the field of EI/ECSE. Carefully sequenced coursework and hands-on practicum experiences provide students with a rich learning experience focused on effective strategies for supporting infants, toddlers, and preschoolers with disabilities in home, school, and community settings.

Positive approaches and evidence-based strategies are the core of our curriculum: 

• Linked System: Assess child development, create goals, design and provide intervention, monitor child progress to evaluate results and modify intervention as needed. 
• Activity-based Intervention: Children learn in routine, planned, and child-initiated activities. 
• Assessment and Evaluation: Developmental screening and evaluation for EI/ECSE eligibility. 
• Culturally Responsive Practices: Approaches that meet the needs of all young children with or at-risk for disabilities and their families. 
• Coaching and Consultation: Guide parents and teachers to facilitate successful early learning in diverse contexts. 
• Teaming and Collaboration: Work effectively within an interdisciplinary team approach. 

Relationships matter 

We know that young children learn when they are in relationship with others, and we believe this is true for students too. This belief in the promotion of positive relationships and inspiring interactions with others is at the core of our program. Our students build close relationships with peers, faculty, practicum and community leaders.

Learn from leading researchers in the field of special education 

You can make a bigger difference  

Well-trained professionals in EI/ECSE are in high demand: 

• Tuition support may be available through grants from the US Department of Education 
• Opportunity for licensed teachers to expand their reach with our added-endorsement option 

Early Intervention Added Endorsement Plan

Hear from students and faculty 

Tuition Support

Project INICIO

Tuition support may be available for EI/ECSE Master's students interested in working with culturally and linguistically diverse populations. Students who are bilingual and/or bicultural are encouraged to apply.

For more information, contact Dr. Lillian Durán at lduran@uoregon.edu or Dr. Lauren Cycyk at lcycyk@uoregon.edu. 

Project PANGEA

Tuition support may be available for EI/ECSE Master's students interested in early intervention with children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Students who have some experience supporting individuals on the autism spectrum are encouraged to apply. 

For more information, contact Dr. Stephanie Shire at sshire@uoregon.edu or Lori Hornfelt at lhornfel@uoregon.edu.

Coursework is directly linked to practicum and student teaching experiences in community-based settings 

Students in the EI/ECSE program have the option to complete the requirements for the master’s degree and licensure program in 1 or 2 years. All aspects of the master’s degree and Oregon teacher licensure requirements are embedded in the program. 

About Licensure  

The preliminary teaching license is granted by the Oregon Teacher Standards and Practices Commission and is required for EI/ECSE specialists serving children birth to five years of age in public school programs in Oregon, including Education Service Districts. 

In addition to successful completion of course and fieldwork requirements for the master’s degree, licensure candidates must also: 

• Complete full-time student teaching  
• Successfully complete an additional Teaching Sample 
• Pass PRAXIS II test for Special Education: Preschool/Early Childhood  

Program Requirements

The master’s degree program conforms to the established University of Oregon and College of Education requirements and procedures:  

• 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

Fall Term - 16 Credits

Winter Term - 15 Credits

Spring Term - 15 Credits