Admission Requirements
- A completed Wilmington University application
- Official transcripts.
- State teaching license and/or teaching certificate.
- Current résumé
- Interview with Program Chair or designee
- Students will have the option to petition for review of up to six (6) credits of previous Wilmington University graduate work as it applies to the program.
After completing all of the above requirements, register for MED 6102 (E-Folio) along with other appropriate course in the certificate program.
Purpose
The purpose of this certificate in Special Education-Early Childhood Exceptional Children is to prepare educators to teach young children, birth to grade two, who demonstrate a range of disabilities or risk for disabilities. The goal of the program is to provide coursework in instructional and family-based assessment and early intervention, skills to collaborate with parents and professionals, strategies and techniques to differentiate instruction, and an understanding of culturally and linguistically diverse students.
Fieldwork/clinical experiences are embedded across the coursework, enabling the teachers to demonstrate mastery the CEC Specialist Standards through performance based tasks. Completion of this program (in addition to meeting all state requirements) will contribute to eligibility for Delaware Certification in Early Childhood/Exceptional Children.
Course Requirements
Special Education - Early Childhood Exceptional Children Course Requirements (15 credits)
| MED 6102 | E-Folio | 0 |
| MSE 7502 | Educating Preschoolers with Special Needs | 3 |
| MSE 7603 | Assessment of Young Children | 3 |
| MSE 7605 | Differentiation of Instruction for Young Children | 3 |
| MSE 7607 | Emergent Literacy for Young Children | 3 |
| MSE 7407 | Collaboration/Teaming with Families & Communities | 3 |
Delaware Certification in Special Education Early Childhood/Exceptional Children
Current Delaware Department of Education regulations (DE Title 14, §1570) permit individuals who hold an initial continuing, advanced license, or a Limited Standard, Standard or Professional Status Certificate issued by the Department prior to August 31, 2003, and who hold a Standard Certificate in a subject (content), grade level, or area, to apply for a State of Delaware Standard Certificate as a Special Education Early Childhood/ Exceptional Children after successfully completing five (5) of the Wilmington University College of Education courses.
However, certification requirements are subject to change by the Delaware Department of Education and the Professional Standards Board. The most recent information about those requirements can be accessed at the Delaware Department of Education/Professional Standards Board website
Any changes in Delaware licensure and certification regulations could cause Wilmington University to make course and/or program adjustments in order to align with new or revised state requirements. Wilmington University reserves the right to change requirements to comply with any licensure/certification mandates of the Delaware Department of Education.