Elementary/Early Childhood/Special Education 3/2 Program with B.A. and M.A. Ed.

This program allows students to complete a B.A. in elementary and early childhood education with the required components of the M.A. in Education emphasizing early childhood special education, thereby increasing the breadth of their teacher preparation and employment opportunities. Early childhood special education licensure prepares teachers to work with children with disabilities from birth through grade three. Elementary and early childhood licensure prepares teachers to work with children from birth through grade 6. The combination prepares teachers who understand the continuum of child development and learning up to the preadolescent years.

The dual degrees and three emphases afford the student the opportunity to complete the current general education requirements of Maryville and three elementary and early childhood certification undergraduate coursework. During the fourth year, the student begins twelve hours of graduate level work while also completing education requirements for elementary and early childhood certification. The fifth year of the program includes 21 hours of required work for the master’s degree plus the remainder of the early childhood special education certification requirements at the graduate level. The student is able to complete a bachelor’s and a master’s degree jointly in the process.

Students formally apply to teacher education in their sophomore year, and apply to the graduate program at the end of their junior year.