芝加哥洛约拉大学

The BSEd in Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) program prepares teacher candidates to address the needs of children special needs from birth to third grade in inclusive school environments. This field-based, blended program prepares every candidate to work effectively with special needs children and families and leads to a combination of Illinois credentials.

Program benefits

• Graduate with eligibility to receive an Illinois teaching license with the following endorsements/credentials: 1) Early childhood education for birth to age 8; 2) Early childhood special education for birth to age 8; 3) English as a Second Language (ESL)
• Prepare for credentialing in Early Intervention by the Illinois Department of Human Services and an Initial Credential in Developmental Therapy.
• Earn Level 5 Illinois Early Childhood Education and Infant/Toddler credentials through partnership with Gateways to Opportunity.
• Experience immersive, field-based courses and collaborative approach in Loyola's newly redeveloped teacher prep program.

Program outcomes

• Candidates will apply deep understanding of both content and pedagogy to provide developmentally appropriate instruction to all students.
• Candidates will hold high expectations and build on the assets of diverse students.
• Candidates will utilize information from theories and related research-based practices when making decisions and taking action in their professional practice.
• Candidates will use data to drive instruction and assess teaching and learning effectiveness.

Curriculum

B.S.Ed. in Early Childhood Special Education

Beginning as freshmen, students advance in the program through a series of beginning modules, based entirely in community settings, focusing on birth through grade 12 learning environments. Upon reaching Sequence 4, ECSE students learn about development sequentially, as they move through specialized sequences in birth-to-three, preschool and early elementary settings.

An inclusive philosophy is infused throughout each of these sequences, joining together the least restrictive environment provisions of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEIA) and best practices in meeting the needs of culturally and linguistically diverse young children with the Loyola University Chicago School of Education conceptual framework. The program emphasizes the application of knowledge and skills to improve cultural competence, enhance educational outcomes for diverse students/families, and pursue social justice as an outcome of professional practice and decision-making.

The ECSE program culminates in a one-year internship in an early elementary setting with both ECSE and early elementary school experiences. This integrated and intensive field-based approach is designed to infuse the field of early childhood education with highly prepared, fully credentialed professional educators who serve as advocates for young children in a variety of roles to meet critical needs.‌