Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Special Education - Birth through Kindergarten / Preschool Special Education

The M.Ed. in Special Education is for students entering the master’s program who have completed undergraduate training in a teacher education field and who have a teaching certificate. This advanced program includes the study of research methods and findings that allow students to become skilled consumers.

Prepare to work with children birth through age 5 both with and without disabilities. The birth through kindergarten/preschool special education emphasis promotes developmentally appropriate inclusive and collaborative teaching practices. Our graduates specialize in providing engaging instruction and support to young children and their families. The special education program recommends to the Georgia Professional Standards Commission that a graduate be awarded a clear renewable teaching certificate in birth through kindergarten and preschool special education.

Training in this program prepares pre-service teachers to teach in inclusive early learning, preschool, prekindergarten, and kindergarten programs, along with early intervention (0-3) and preschool intervention (3-5) programs.

In this emphasis, coursework also includes:

• Infant/toddler development and teaching methods
• Preschool curriculum development
• Observation and assessment techniques
• Communication and language development
• Teaching methods for children with developmental delays
• Positive behavior supports

Professional preparation: Earned, or will have earned, a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution before the date of enrollment at the University of Georgia.

GPA: Minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 for all courses taken.

The state requires that all candidates have a minimum 2.5 GPA on undergraduate or previous graduate work. Go to the Georgia Professional Standards Commission website for details.

The Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Special Education - Birth through Kindergarten / Preschool Special Education program leads to Professional Licensure.

Not all programs are available to residents in all states. Please check the institution's State Authorization and Professional Licensure website(s) to ensure you reside in an authorized state. University of Georgia's Professional License Disclosure

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges