Start your journey
Earn your degree and licensure in just four years through flexible in-person and online course options.
Please note: We are pausing admissions into the ECSE program while we explore partnerships and possible restructuring for future delivery. This decision is part of our ongoing efforts to ensure the long-term sustainability of our programs.
This program prepares you for an initial teaching license in ECSE. Establish the skills necessary to support the development of young children, birth through age six, with a wide range of delays/disabilities (motor delays, speech or language impairments, autism spectrum disorders, emotional or behavioral disorders, low birth weight, chromosomal abnormalities, etc.).
In order to be recommended for your Minnesota B-age 6 ECSE license, you must successfully complete these licensure requirements mandated by the state of Minnesota.
Careers
- Early interventionist for infants and toddlers in home and community settings
- Special education teacher in preschool classrooms
- Screening and evaluation team member
How to apply
Tuition and funding
Tuition
Visit the College of Education and Human Development's Tuition and Financial Aid page for information on tuition..
Financial aid
North Star Promise (NSP) Scholarship Program
The NSP Scholarship program is a tuition and fee-free pathway to higher education for Minnesota residents with a family income under $80,000. Eligible undergraduates at the University of Minnesota will receive full coverage for the balance of tuition and fees remaining after other scholarships, grants, stipends and tuition waivers have been applied.
Minnesota Aspiring Teachers of Color Scholarship Pilot Program
Minnesota Aspiring Teachers of Color Scholarship Pilot Program provides post-secondary financial assistance to eligible undergraduate and graduate students who are preparing to become teachers, have demonstrated financial need, and belong to racial or ethnic groups underrepresented in the state’s teacher workforce.
Scholarships and awards through school districts for their employees
Ask your employer if they have funding to support your education.
Special Education Teacher Pathway Program. If you are working as an educational assistant or paraprofessional in the state of Minnesota, you may be eligible to receive funding from your school district to cover some or all of the cost of your licensure program. Please check with your employer to see if you can access their Special Education Teacher Pipeline Funding.
Grow Your Own Program is similar to the Pathway program, but is not limited to special education and often includes a focus on diversifying the teacher workforce.
Come Teach in Minnesota allows school districts to offer hiring and retention bonuses to eligible individuals when they move to Minnesota and enroll in a teacher preparation program
TEACH Grants
TEACH Grants are part of a federal program to provide financial support to students who will teach in a high need area at a low-income school for at least four years. Application information is available from Onestop on their grants and waivers page.
Scholarships and awards through the University
Special education scholarships, fellowships, and awards
Incoming first-year students who are interested in special education are automatically considered for the Campbell Scholarship for Education. Visit the Office of Admissions scholarships page for more information on this and additional CEHD scholarships available to incoming first-year students.
Learn more about teaching scholarships available to undergraduates in the College of Education and Human Development.
Request information
Coursework
Gain experience working with infants, toddlers, and preschoolers with delays/disabilities in a variety of settings through required field experiences at a program or school in your community each semester.
Program plans will likely vary for transfer students (i.e, those who have already completed some college credits, including those with a two-year degree). We are happy to provide you with an individualized program plan based on your transcripts.
Faculty
Get to know our award-winning faculty with practical and research experience in this area.
Contact us
We’re here to help. Contact us, and a member of our department will be in touch.