Special Education, Graduate Endorsement (Early Intervention Specialist)

Graduate Endorsement in Special Education with a Specialization in Early Intervention Specialist (Birth to K)

University of Nebraska - Lincoln

  • Fully Online
  • 30
    Credits
  • $357.00
    In-State
  • $750.00
    Out-of-State
  • Overview
  • Learning Online
  • Similar Programs

Why Pursue This Program

The online Early Intervention Specialist (Birth-K), Graduate Endorsement program is designed to prepare the special educator as a consultant or coach to children under the age of five and their families in homes, childcare, preschool and public school programs. 

Students choose the Special Education, Early Intervention Specialists (Birth-K), Graduate Endorsement because they:

  • Receive specialized training in supporting children under five and their families through individualized supervision. 
  • Learn how to coach and support families in the home. 
  • Gain knowledge of how to design specialized instruction to support children and families in the natural environment. 
  • Learn how to support the needs of children with challenging behaviors, autism and developmental disabilities/delays. 

The early intervention specialist is an endorsement from the Nebraska Department of Education that can be met through the early childhood special education graduate certificate or master's degree program. It is not a degree or graduate certificate option by itself.

This add-on endorsement is for the candidate who currently holds a valid teaching certificate in special education (K-6 or K-12). 

Note: The early childhood special education (ECSE) endorsement from the Nebraska Department of Education can be met through the ECSE graduate certificate or master's degree program. It is not a degree or graduate certificate option by itself.

Career Outlook: Special education teachers engage with children and youth that have a wide variety of disabilities. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the need for Special Education Teachers will grow by about 8% from 2016-2026. Although most special education teachers work in public schools, some find jobs in the private sector taking care of special needs children in childcare services and other institutions. Graduates of this program will be able to apply for teaching positions as a preschool classroom teacher for children with and without disabilities or as a special educator in itinerant consultant or coach roles in homes, community childcare, preschool or public school programs. 

More about the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) Department of Special Education and Communication Disorders:

The Department of Special Education and Communication Disorders (SECD) is dedicated to enhancing the lives of individuals with special needs, their families, schools, and communities. 

The vision is that every individual with special needs will:

  • Achieve maximum potential for learning.
  • Communicate autonomously.
  • Enjoy optimum health and well-being throughout the lifespan.

Students have the ability to choose to:   

  • Take one or a few classes of interest
  • Pursue the teaching endorsement or graduate certificate
  • Complete a graduate degree.

What's it like to take a program online?

Quality learning experience

The University of Nebraska has offered distance education courses for more than 100 years so you can expect a quality, rigorous experience. Online courses are often highly interactive with faculty and students communicating through e-mail, discussion forums and chat groups. You’ll have direct access to world-class faculty – researchers who are experts in their fields or practitioners with real-world experience. Also, you’ll be part of a community of learners and can benefit from the perspectives of students from across the globe.

Flexibility

Online learning gives you the flexibility and freedom to attend your classes wherever is convenient to you. You can save time and money by being able to continue to work and by avoiding relocation or travel costs. You will be required to complete assignments in a certain timeframe, but in most instances, you can log in and complete coursework during the time of day that works best for you. You aren’t tied to a specific class time.

Service you expect from a leading University

Online learners at the University of Nebraska have access to the same student services available to on-campus students. An academic adviser will guide you along your journey, library services are available to help you excel in your program and career services are available when you are ready to take your next step. These are just a few of the services in place to help you succeed.

About Faculty

University of Nebraska online courses are taught by expert faculty who embody the qualities resulting from research experience and professional/field experience. Students learn from faculty with a variety of backgrounds, many of whom are published researchers in their fields. NU faculty who teach online do so in a way that optimizes learning within the online modality and because technology enables students to access education they may otherwise may not be able to pursue.