The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) has funded the consortium primarily to assist current teachers in early childhood special education (ECSE) with provisional licensure in completing the required courses for ECSE endorsement. Teachers in this group are the priority recipients of tuition assistance. If you are currently teaching preschool-aged children with disabilities and do not have the ECSE endorsement, you are encouraged to apply. Others who are interested in obtaining ECSE endorsement are invited to participate, but tuition assistance is not guaranteed.
The consortium is funded by the Virginia Department of Education, with additional support (for University of Lynchburg students) from the University of Lynchburg. Classes are composed of students who are enrolled at either the University of Lynchburg or Radford University.
Courses Offerings
The following courses are eligible for the VDOE Consortium Grant tuition assistance. Other courses needed for licensure or completion of master’s degree may be eligible for the 40% educator’s discount. These two forms of assistance may not be used simultaneously.
- EDHD 601 Diverse Developmental Pathways in Early Childhood
- SPED 600 Foundations and Legal Aspects of Special Education
- SPED 620 Language Development/Instruction and Assistive Technology
- SPED 625B Management of Classroom Instruction and Behavior
- SPED 651 Designing Comprehensive, Family-centered Intervention
- SPED 653 Developmentally Appropriate Curriculum and Programming for Preschool
- SPED 660 Assessment of Young Children with Developmental Delays
- SPED 662 Medical and Therapeutic Interventions for Children with Disabilities
- SPED 675 Collaboration in Special and General Education
Note: EDHD 601 and SPED 600 may be required for licensure for some students.
The University of Lynchburg offers other courses for completion of the Master of Education in Special Education, ECSE emphasis, typically one to three courses beyond those required for licensure.
For example, completing the following three courses would finish a M.Ed. in Special Education with an Early Childhood focus.
- ECSE 606 Literacy in Early Childhood
- SPED 670 Introduction to Autism Spectrum Disorders
- SPED 681 Action Research in SE (Capstone)
These courses do not qualify for the VDOE grant tuition assistance, but would qualify for the 40% educator discount.
All ECSE courses are offered online. Therefore, a reliable internet connection is required. Please consult with the program coordinator for more information.
Note: In order to determine which of these courses are required for a license in ECSE, the student should request a transcript evaluation through the VDOE. Students employed by a school division should contact their human resources department for additional information. Students not employed by a school division should contact the VDOE directly.
How to Apply
- Apply for admission to the University of Lynchburg.
- If you wish to complete the Master of Education in Special Education, ECSE emphasis, please apply as a candidate in the MEd program.
Contact
Andrew Bruce, PhD
Associate Professor of Special Education
