Early Childhood Special Ed
Degree Earned
Bachelor of Science: Early Childhood Special Education
The University of Maine at Farmington's prominence in Education runs long and deep. In fact, the school was founded in 1864 as an institution dedicated to preparing teachers.
Because our Education programs were based on a foundation of Liberal Arts, an unusual concept in its time, the University of Maine at Farmington (UMF) quickly earned a reputation for producing some of the finest teachers in New England.
Over the years, the University expanded its Liberal Arts foundation as it strengthened its Education programs. The result: UMF has not only retained its outstanding reputation for preparing highly qualified teachers, it is still recognized far and wide as a leader in the field of Education.
In fact, four of the past five Maine Teacher of the Year recipients have been UMF Education graduates. Plus, those honored as the Teacher of the Year in others states have also been UMF grads (N.H., Vt., to name a few).
The University of Maine at Farmington is one of only a few colleges to offer a degree program in Early Childhood Special Education, a major that prepares you to work with young children with special needs and their families in a variety of settings.
Options within our Early Childhood Special Education program:
Our nationally accredited (NCATE) program focuses on child development with an emphasis on young children with special needs and their families. It features four years of intense, hands-on experience.
One aspect that makes our Early Childhood Special Education program so well respected is the fact that our students are required to practice in the field what they've learned in the classroom. Here, you'll work closely with faculty and supervising mentors, applying theory to practice. You also will work closely with nearby schools and agencies, gaining valuable, real-world experiences. In addition, you may have opportunities to earn course credits by working with faculty on field-based research projects.
Students in our Early Childhood Special Education program have access to specialized on-campus resources such as our many children's programs and the Kalikow Curriculum Materials Center, which includes assistive technology resources, children's literature, and early childhood materials. Frequently, Early Childhood Special Education students use these resources in their work with young children. Young children with special needs or those at-risk for disability require many types of assistance. Some young children may need help learning how to play or how to develop language skills, while others may need assistance acquiring self-help skills. Since early acquisition of skills is critical to later development, your role as a special educator will have profound effects on the well-being of the child later in life.
Note: UMF's Early Childhood Special Education program qualifies for the New England Regional Program tuition discount - a discount of more than $4,500 per year. Through this program, students from other New England states and Canada can apply for certain majors at UMF and pay reduced tuition. The majors that qualify for this vary by state. See the link, New England Regional Program.
Bachelor of Science: Early Childhood Special Education
The University of Maine at Farmington's prominence in Education runs long and deep. In fact, the school was founded in 1864 as an institution dedicated to preparing teachers.
Because our Education programs were based on a foundation of Liberal Arts, an unusual concept in its time, the University of Maine at Farmington (UMF) quickly earned a reputation for producing some of the finest teachers in New England.
Over the years, the University expanded its Liberal Arts foundation as it strengthened its Education programs. The result: UMF has not only retained its outstanding reputation for preparing highly qualified teachers, it is still recognized far and wide as a leader in the field of Education.
In fact, four of the past five Maine Teacher of the Year recipients have been UMF Education graduates. Plus, those honored as the Teacher of the Year in others states have also been UMF grads (N.H., Vt., to name a few).
The University of Maine at Farmington is one of only a few colleges to offer a degree program in Early Childhood Special Education, a major that prepares you to work with young children with special needs and their families in a variety of settings.
Options within our Early Childhood Special Education program:
- Birth to age 5 with Teacher Certification (Maine 282)
- Birth to age 5 plus Kindergarten to Grade 3 Teacher Certification (Maine 029)
- Early Childhood Special Education non-certification
Our nationally accredited (NCATE) program focuses on child development with an emphasis on young children with special needs and their families. It features four years of intense, hands-on experience.
One aspect that makes our Early Childhood Special Education program so well respected is the fact that our students are required to practice in the field what they've learned in the classroom. Here, you'll work closely with faculty and supervising mentors, applying theory to practice. You also will work closely with nearby schools and agencies, gaining valuable, real-world experiences. In addition, you may have opportunities to earn course credits by working with faculty on field-based research projects.
Students in our Early Childhood Special Education program have access to specialized on-campus resources such as our many children's programs and the Kalikow Curriculum Materials Center, which includes assistive technology resources, children's literature, and early childhood materials. Frequently, Early Childhood Special Education students use these resources in their work with young children. Young children with special needs or those at-risk for disability require many types of assistance. Some young children may need help learning how to play or how to develop language skills, while others may need assistance acquiring self-help skills. Since early acquisition of skills is critical to later development, your role as a special educator will have profound effects on the well-being of the child later in life.
Note: UMF's Early Childhood Special Education program qualifies for the New England Regional Program tuition discount - a discount of more than $4,500 per year. Through this program, students from other New England states and Canada can apply for certain majors at UMF and pay reduced tuition. The majors that qualify for this vary by state. See the link, New England Regional Program.
"I decided to go UMF because of its rich history in education. While at UMF, I appreciated the small class sizes and personal interactions with my professors. My internship was the best stepping stone for my career. I received multiple hands-on work experiences with a variety of children and feel prepared to enter the field of early childhood special education."
-- Katelyn Farrar
From Georgetown, Maine
What Classes Might You Take?
Because the University of Maine at Farmington is a liberal arts college, every student - in every major - will take courses in the Arts, Humanities, Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Social Sciences. In addition, you will also get to choose interesting classes specifically tailored to Early Childhood Special Education, such as:
Contact Us For DetailsBecause the University of Maine at Farmington is a liberal arts college, every student - in every major - will take courses in the Arts, Humanities, Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Social Sciences. In addition, you will also get to choose interesting classes specifically tailored to Early Childhood Special Education, such as:
| • Intro to Teaching Inclusive Early Childhood Special Education |
| • Supporting Young Children in Inclusive Settings |
| • Supporting Social/Emotional Development in Inclusive Settings |
| • Intermediate and Advanced Practica |
| • Supporting the Development of Infants, Toddlers, and Their Families in Natural Environments |
| • Addressing Developmental Differences of Young Children |
| • Linking Assessment With Program Planning and Intervention |
| • Assessment for Young Children At-Risk for Disability |
| • Internship/Student Teaching in Early Childhood Special Education |
| • You will also take professional courses in related disciplines such as Early Childhood Education, Special Education, and Psychology. |
For additional information about Early Childhood Special Education at the University of Maine at Farmington, just contact the Office of Admission:
Office of Admission
University of Maine at Farmington
246 Main Street
Farmington, Maine 04938-1994
US tel 207-778-7050
Intl. tel 00-1-207-778-7050
fax 207-778-8182
TDD/TYY 207-778-7275
umfadmit@maine.edu
