Early Childhood Education/Special Education Degree
Bachelor’s + Master’s Program (BS/MEd)
Credits
151
Completion Time
5 Years
Delivery Method
Undergrad Courses on campus at Lancaster, PA & online Master's Courses
Study Early Childhood Education (PK-4)/Special Education (PK-12) at LBC | Capital
Do have a heart for service? Do you love children? Do you find a special connection with disabled individuals? Then our five year undergraduate and graduate program for special education is right for you. Through this 4+1 program, you’ll be equipped to serve preK-12 through twelfth grade students across the spectrum of learning.
Come and learn from master teachers who have years of experience in the classroom. Plus, you’ll start working with students beginning in your very first semester as an aspiring educator, allowing you to get a feel for what the job is really like. Our degree in special ed prepares future teachers to engage with students with a variety of struggles and special needs – from students with Downs Syndrome, ADHD, behavioral disorders, emotional disorders, learning disabilities and more – to achieve so much more in the classroom. Learn how to write an effective IEP (individualized education plan) and other important skills that any special ed teacher needs. Through a combination of Bible classes, field placements in diverse educational settings (including Christian schools, public schools, daycare, preschools and Montessori academies), coursework and field experiences that focus on understanding the needs of the child and implementing developmentally appropriate practices, this is an educational experience like none other.
In a 4+1 program, students work toward the completion of an undergraduate degree while also pursuing a Master’s degree. Graduate-level courses taken during undergraduate studies fulfill both undergraduate elective requirements and graduate program requirements. In this 4+1 program, students are dual-enrolled in LBC and Capital Seminary & Graduate School.
Course Length
16 weeks (semester) for undergraduate courses & 8 weeks (terms) for master’s courses with exceptions for Apprenticeship courses
Program Cost & Financial Aid
Admissions Process
Where LBC Students Have Interned or Student Taught
- Local public schools: Brownstown Elementary School, Whitfield Elementary School, Hambright Elementary School, Eastern York Middle School, Smoketown Elementary School, Lampeter Elementary School, The Vista School
- Local Christian school: Lititz Christian School
- Student Teacher in a Foreign Christian School in Ecuador
License, Certification & Credential Information
Graduates from this major receive Pennsylvania Instructional I certification (PreK-4), Special Education certification (PreK-12 ) and Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) Standard certification (K-8)
Can I Transfer Credits?
Yes! Read about LBC’s transfer policy
Early Childhood/Special Education Program Scope
BS/MEd (151 Credits)
LBC Foundation Studies Courses 4 Credits
Bible & Theology Core Courses 30 Credits
Arts & Sciences Core Courses 31 Credits
Major Courses 83 Credits
Exploration Studies Courses 3 Credits
View the Academic Catalog for the complete curriculum plan, course descriptions and complete program details.
What is the Impact of a Teacher?
Hear from Becca Foxwell (’10), a first grade teacher and graduate of LBC, was named the 2016 Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year.
What makes LBC's Early Childhood Education/Special Education program unique?
- Earn two education degrees – an undergraduate and graduate degree – in just 5 (five) years. Most master’s degrees (MEds) typically take a least two years to complete, and most elementary and high school teachers in public schools in the United States are required to earn a master’s degree in order to maintain their teaching certificate in the state of Pennsylvania.
- Receive a Pennsylvania Instructional I certification (PK-4), Special Education (PK-12) and an Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) Standard certification (K-8) so that you have the option of teaching in public and Christian schools.
- Our Apprenticeship program (practicum and student teaching) gives you practical, hands-on experience in a classroom, under the supervision of an experienced teacher.
- Enjoy courses taught from the foundation of a biblical worldview and from seasoned educators.
Programs leading to teacher certification are approved by Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) and Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE).
What are career paths with a Early Childhood/Special Education degree?
This bachelor’s/master’s degree prepares students for various educational contexts. Here is a sampling of careers and opportunities this degree affords:
- Special Education Teacher (Special Ed Teacher)
- Elementary School Teacher
- Learning Support Teacher
- Preschool Teacher
- Teacher’s Aide
Program Goals – In this program, students will…
- Integrate knowledge to design coherent learning experiences.
- Implement safe, equitable, learning-focused environments.
- Demonstrate effective instructional practices.
- Demonstrate professionalism.
- Integrate a biblical worldview.
Core Education Courses for Early Childhood Education/Special Education Program
ELE 101 Introduction to Early Childhood Education
EDU 105 Instructional Technology
EDU 204 Instructional Design
ELE 205 Integrating Play, Movement, and the Arts
EDU 333 The Exceptional Child
ELE 201 Math Instruction for the Young Child
EDU 340 Introduction to Curriculum & Assessment
EDU 335 Inclusionary Practices
ELE 352 Social Studies in Elementary School
EDU 430 Classroom Management
ELE 354 Methods of Teaching Science
EDU 410 Teaching the English Language Learner
EDU 103 Professional Seminar I
EDU 461 Cross Cultural Experience
EDU 301 Internship I
EDU 302 Internship II
EDU 401 Internship III
EDU 402 Internship IV
SPE 501 Assessment & Special Ed. Processes
SPE 504 Teaching Students With Low Incidence Disabilities
EDU 519 Foundations and Frameworks for Learning
EDU 526 Diagnostic Reading Assessment
SPE 503 Teaching Students with LD and ID
SPE 505 Prof., Ethical Practice, & Collaboration
EDU 570 Apprenticeship I
EDU 598 Seminar in Action Research
EDU 524 Literacy Instruction in the PreK-4 Classroom
EDU 580 Apprenticeship II
EDU 599 Project in Action Research
EDU 550 Socio-Cultural Perspectives
SPE 502 Meeting Needs with Autism
Visit the undergraduate and graduate catalogs for the complete listing and descriptions.
Meet the Education Faculty
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