Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education, Birth to Primary, Master of Arts in Education (0461)
Department website: http://www.wku.edu/ste/
Program Coordinator
Janet L. Tassell, janet.tassell@wku.edu, (270) 745-5306
Program Contact
Christina Heady, christina.heady@wku.edu, (270) 745-2082
Candidates pursuing the MAE in Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education will choose one of the following concentrations: Advanced Behavior Management, Teaching English to Speakers of other Languages (TESOL), Moderate to Severe Disabilities (MSD), or Individualized IECE. The degree can be used for a Rank change (for KY teachers) and for pursuing additional certifications.
Students are expected to become competent in theory, research, and application of best teaching practices related to young children both with and without disabilities from birth through 5 years of age and their families. Students exhibit appropriate teacher disposition behaviors as indicated by the College of Education and Behavioral Sciences Teacher Disposition Rating Form.
This program is exempt from the maximum of 12 hours denoted in the Duplication of Coursework policy. All concentration hours may be duplicated on one additional graduate degree or certificate at the same level.
Concentrations
- Advanced Behavior Management (ABM)
- Moderate to Severe Disabilities (IMSD)
- Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) (KE36)
- Individualized IECE (INIE)
Program Admission
The MAE in Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education (IECE) offers courses and experiences for the advanced preparation of individuals holding certification.
- Applicants who are currently certified or hold a statement of eligibility must submit a copy of the teaching certificate or Statement of Eligibility with the application.
Kentucky applicants whose certificates have expired may be admitted, but they may enroll for only six hours before they must apply to the EPSB for reissued certificates. After completion of six hours, a student admitted with an expired certificate must submit a copy of the re-issued certificate before being allowed to register for any additional courses. Applicants from out-of-state with expired certificates must complete the requirements for their respective states to renew their certificates and submit a copy of the reissued certificate.
Graduate Studies Admission
Please refer to the admission section of this catalog for Graduate Studies admission requirements.
Program Requirements (30-31 hours)
Students will complete core courses in addition to one concentration.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | 15 | |
| Organizing Programs for Early Childhood Special Education | ||
or SLP 517 | Normal Language Development | |
or IECE 510 | Early Reading, Language, and Literacy | |
| Assessment in Early Childhood Special Education | ||
| Family-Focused Services | ||
| Planning Curriculum and Instruction in Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education | ||
| Curriculum/Methods in Early Childhood Special Education | ||
| Concentration Courses | 15-16 | |
| Total Hours | 30-31 | |
Individualized IECE (15 hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | 15 | |
| Concentration Courses | 15 | |
| Early Reading, Language, and Literacy * | ||
| Interdisciplinary Services for Young Children with Low Incidence Disabilities | ||
| Internship in Early Childhood Special Education | ||
| Special Topics in Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education | ||
| Advanced Internship in Special Education | ||
or EDFN 500 | Research Methods | |
| Total Hours | 30 | |
- *
Students pursuing the Individualized IECE concentration will need to complete IECE 510 or SLP 517 and IECE 520.
Advanced Behavior Management Concentration (also a WKU certificate #1736) (15 hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | 15 | |
| Concentration Courses | 15 | |
| Introduction to Applied Behavior Analysis | ||
| Positive Behavior Supports | ||
or EDU 502 | Positive Learning Environment | |
| Behavior Assessment | ||
| Instruction to Improve Behavior | ||
| Ethics Surrounding Behavior Issues | ||
| Total Hours | 30 | |
Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) Concentration (KE36) (16 Hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | 15 | |
| Concentration Courses | 16 | |
| Linguistic Analysis | ||
| Psycholinguistics and Sociolinguistics | ||
| Integrated Teaching English as a Second Language | ||
| Seminar in Teaching English as a Second Language | ||
| TESL Practicum | ||
| Total Hours | 31 | |
Moderate to Severe Disabilities Concentration (15 Hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | 15 | |
| Concentration Courses | 15 | |
| Assessment of Students with Moderate to Severe Disabilities | ||
| Curriculum for Individuals with Moderate and Severe Disabilities | ||
| Characteristics of Low Incidence Disorders | ||
| Instructional Strategies for Students with Moderate and Severe Disabilities | ||
| Advanced Internship in Special Education (or advisor-approved equivalent) | ||
| Total Hours | 30 | |