Early Childhood Special Education

Student and Teacher

The fully online Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) master’s program at Florida State University prepares individuals with the knowledge they need to work with young children from birth to five years old who have disabilities/developmental delays. By the time students complete this program, they will have gained expertise on typical and atypical child development; collaborating with families and other professionals; assessing young children; creating meaningful curricula; implementing developmentally appropriate and evidence-based interventions; and professional and ethical practices. Our ECSE program’s curriculum aligns with the latest guidelines from the Council for Exceptional Children’s Early Intervention/Early Childhood Special Education Standards.

Thanks to the online format, our program is an ideal choice for working professionals and ECSE teachers wishing to gain more information working with young children with disabilities/developmental delays within the context of their families. The majority of coursework takes place asynchronously, allowing individuals to learn and complete assignments on their own time.

Completing the Early Childhood Special Education program allows currently certified special educators to earn the Florida Department of Education Pre-Kindergarten Disability Endorsement. This endorsement opens up career options and may lead to increased earning potential.

The demand for ECSE teachers continues to climb across the country. Students who complete the ECSE master’s program at Florida State University will be able to provide early childhood preschool services and early interventions to young children with disabilities/developmental delays and their families, which can be critical to enhancing their early development. Our early childhood special education program places an emphasis on providing these interventions within the context of a child’s family to better promote positive outcomes.