Department of
Specialized Education Services
M.Ed in Birth-Kindergarten: ISED
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Download M.Ed in Birth-Kindergarten Handbook (PDF)
Download M.Ed in Birth-Kindergarten:ISED Brochure (PDF)
The final deadline for applying to the Birth-Kindergarten: Interdisciplinary Studies in Education and Development (BK:ISED) Master’s Degree program or the Leadership in Early Care and Education Graduate (LECE) Certificate program is June 1, 2010. Applications will begin to be reviewed in the early spring and final decisions about the applicants who will be accepted into the BKISED and LECE programs will be made by mid July, 2010.
If you are a VISIONS student who is interested in taking BKISED or LECE courses, please contact the course instructor to see if space is available. Priority will be given to BKISED and LECE students.
The primary goal of the Birth through Kindergarten Interdisciplinary Studies in Education and Development (BK:ISED) program is to prepare personnel to assume leadership, mentoring, consultation, supervision and administration roles in many settings (both educational and non-educational) that develop and implement programming for young children with and without disabilities ages birth through five.
The program also recognizes the importance of the family on the development of the young child and therefore, provides students with extensive coursework and experiences in areas related to the family. Training in Birth through Kindergarten is seen as the most appropriate and expeditious approach to both the education and licensure of leadership professionals to work with young children and their families. The program requires completion of 39 semester hours of graduate coursework. Twenty-two semester hours are to be completed in theory and practice, 9 semester hours in research, 6 semester hours in internship, and 3 semester hours in electives.
The program is interdisciplinary in nature, reflecting an underlying philosophy that young children with and without disorders:
- Have learning needs in common.
- Will be served in inclusive environments requiring leadership personnel to have knowledge of both typical and atypical development and progrmaming issues
- Will be in programs that espouse Developmentally Appropriate Practices (DAP) in planning for children's unique needs and the implementation of Individualized Family Service Plans (IFSP) and Individualized Education Plans (IEP).
- Are integral members of a family unit requiring leadership personnel to have knowledge of family systems, coping strategies, and working in collaboration.
The foundation of the B-K:ISED program's philosophy and knowledge base is influenced by the ideas and theories of many individuals such as Bronfenbrenner, Vgotsky, and Piaget, and the ideas of Guralnick, Dunst, Katz, and Ogbu. Given the philosophical orientation the program focuses on developing competencies in four major areas felt to be essential for effective programming for young children with and without disorders. That is, the program is planned to prepare skilled leadership personnel who will (1) provide optimal learning experiences related to both typical and atypical development and programming for young children, (2) assume diverse leadership roles and responsibilities related to meeting the needs of young children with and without disorders, (3) synthesize family resources, concerns, and priorities to facilitate the maximum involvement of families in providing services for their child, and (4) increase the quality of services through effective program evaluation.
Another goal of the program is to train leadership personnel as scientists/practitioners. That is, the students will learn to become professionals who will evaluate, correct, and teach themselves in order to work effectively in an ever changing field. Toward this end, students are taught to routinely apply research principles to guide their daily professional practice.
Coursework and Program Requirements
The program consists of a minimum of 39 hours of graduate coursework. It is expected that all admitted students will have teaching competencies for undergraduate B-K. Those who do not must satisfy prerequisite requirements. These credits may not be applied toward the Advanced Masters degree. Since differing backgrounds produce gaps in basic skills for some applicants, it is occasionally recommended that additional academic work be completed before some students enter the program. The program begins with an intensive orientation and a review of records with individual advising.
Theory and Practice
- SES 601* Programs and Policies in Early Intervention
- SES 602 Theory and Practice in Early Intervention
- HDF 631 Families of Individuals with Special Needs
- SES 603* Preschool Disabilities: Assessment and Evaluation
- HDF 633 Advanced Early Childhood Education Theory and Practice
- HDF 636 Leadership and Mentoring Roles in Educating Young Children
Research
- ERM 604 Methods of Educational Research
- HDF 650 Theory and Research in Early Child Development
Internship
- SES 604* Internship in Early Childhood (*practical experience is part of the course offerings.)
Possible Electives (other courses with approval from advisor)
- HDF 667 Infant Development
- HDF 634 Contemporary Issues in Early Childhood Policy
- HDF 621 Advanced Theories and Principles of Parenting
- SES 605 Diversity and Inclusive Early Care and Education
- SES 647 Consultation in Education: Theory, Research, Practices
Recommended Sequence of Courses
Fall Semester (9 s.h.)
- HDF 650 Theory and Research in Early Child Development
- SES 601 Programs and Policies in Early Intervention
- ERM 604 Methods of Educational Research
Spring Semester (9 s.h.)
- HDF 633 Advanced Early Childhood Education Theory and Practice
- Elective Course
- Elective Course
Summer Semester (3 s.h.)
- Elective Course
Fall Semester (9 s.h.)
- HDF 636 Leadership and Mentoring Roles in Educating Young Children
- HDF 631 Families of Individuals with Special Needs
- SES 602 Theory and Practice in Early Intervention
Spring Semester (9 s.h.)
- SES 603* Preschool Disabilities: Assessment and Evaluation
- SES 604 * Internship in Early Childhood (6 hours)
EFFECTIVE 11/5/2009 - Change in Admissions Policy for the Graduate School regarding transcripts and course transfer information -
For immediate Implementation: Requirement for transcripts
Current text from the Bulletin, p. 10
In addition, all applicants must submit a completed application form accompanied by one official transcript of the student’s academic record from every college and university previously attended (even if the courses from one school appear on the transcript of another), three recommendations from former professors, employers, or persons well acquainted with the student’s academic potential, qualifying examination scores (#4 above), and a nonrefundable $55.00 application fee. Where a degree was earned, the official transcript must indicate the name of the degree and the date awarded. All credentials must be in English.
New text
In addition, all applicants must submit a completed application form accompanied by one official transcript of the student’s academic record from every college and university previously attended. If credit from one institution has been transferred to another, a transcript from the original institution is not required. Three recommendations from former professors, employers, or persons well acquainted with the student’s academic potential, qualifying examination scores (#4 above), and a nonrefundable $55.00 application fee also are required. Where a degree was earned, the official transcript must indicate the name of the degree and the date awarded. All credentials must be in English.
Contact
Dr. Judy Niemeyer
Email: janiemey@uncg.edu
or the SES Department at ses@uncg.edu to request more information.