Early Childhood, Multilingual, and Special Education

Purpose and Focus

Early Childhood Education
The Bachelor of Science in Ed provides a comprehensive contemporary program of teacher preparation for early childhood settings (e.g., daycare, preschool education, PreK-2nd grade, agencies, infant/toddler education, hospitals, community education programs and early intention programs). The program is designed to provide skills, content and application knowledge to assist students in becoming leaders in the field of early childhood education.

Special Education
The Bachelor of Science degree in Human Services provides students with general training in human services and assists with pre professional counseling skills. Drawing from the knowledge base of the social sciences, the program helps students develop a variety of therapeutic, teaching, counseling, communication, supportive, and preventive methods. Students acquire knowledge of the dynamics operating within the individual, family, and larger social systems. The program has applied emphasis that will enable the graduate to listen therapeutically; problem solve; help implement and support mental health programs; develop social skills programs; and help those who are disadvantaged, impaired, or needing to develop interpersonal skills. Graduates will be able to work in a wide range of settings that involve helping others.

Accreditation

National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities

Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs

Undergraduate Majors

Early Childhood Education — Bachelor of Science
Special Education — Bachelor of Arts in Education
Special Education — Bachelor of Science in Education

Certification and Licensure Programs

Generalist Endorsement Certificate/Teaching License: Students will be qualified for certification by the Nevada State Department of Education to work with children in a special education resource room setting, a self-contained classroom working with students with learning disabilities, and a self-contained classroom with students with emotional and behavioral disabilities (kindergarten through 12th grade).

Early Childhood Education Certificate/Teaching License: Students will be qualified for certification by the Nevada state Department of Education to work with children birth through second grade.

Admission to the Major

Minimum 2.75 GPA

Academic Policies:
Early Childhood – All students beginning their preparation leading to the Bachelor’s Degree and teaching licensure must be admitted into the Division of Teacher Education before being admitted to the department.

Special Education - All students beginning their preparation leading to the Bachelor’s Degree and teaching licensure must be admitted into the Division of Teacher Education before being admitted to the department.

Departmental Policies

Teacher Division Requirements
No studies beyond EDU 203, EDSP 441, and EDSP 401 will be permitted within the College of Education until the student has met all Teacher Division requirements below:
1. Completion of 24 credit hours at UNLV at time of application.
2. Grade point average of 2.75 or above.
3. Students must take and pass all three parts of the Pre-Professional Skills
Test (PPST).

Additional requirements include:
1. Students must earn a B or better in EDSP 481 to continue to take course work in
   the department. Students may repeat this course one time. If the student does
    not achieve a B or better the second time, the student will not be allowed to
   proceed forward in the department.
2. Students must earn a B or better in EDSP 488, EDSP 487, and EDSP 466 to be
   advanced to student teaching.

Transfer Policies
Any candidate for student teaching who has transferred to UNLV must fulfill all specific requirements and have completed at least 15 hours in residence, including nine credits in professional education courses. Additional courses, as determined by the advisor or the department chair, may be required of the student.

Department Requirements for Early Childhood Majors:
The following requirements must have been met before a student will be assigned to student teach:
1. Applications for student teaching must be filed by specific deadline dates no later
   than one semester preceding student teaching. See the College of Education Advising and Field
   Placement Center for details.
2. Formal admission to the department and successful completion of the PPST.
3. Completion of all baccalaureate course work, with a GPA of 2.75 or higher in
   all courses.

Department Requirement for Special Education Major:
The following requirements must have been met before a student will be assigned to student teach:
1. Applications for student teaching must be filed by specific deadline date no later
than one semester preceding students teaching. See the College of Education Advising and Field Placement Center for details.
2. Formal admission to the department and successful completion of the PPST.
3. Completion of all baccalaureate course work with a GPA of 2.75 or higher in all courses.

Academic Requirements

A GPA of 2.75 must be maintained for admission and to continue in the teacher education program. Those whose cumulative UNLV GPA falls below 2.75 will be placed on either college probation or college university suspension. Should the student fail to meet minimal academic standards and be suspended, a petition for readmission must be filed with the Chair of the College Subcommittee on Academic Standards and will be reviewed by the college dean.

Advisement

Upon acceptance in the college, each student is required to meet with an advisor from the College of Education Advising and Field Placement Center (895-1537). Students should meet with their advisor prior to each semester they are taking classes. The department has developed a schedule when classes will be offered and some may not be offered every year. Meeting with an advisor will ensure the student stays on track and can graduate in a timely manner.

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