Early Childhood Studies Special Education Teaching Concentration
There is a critical need for special education teachers in California and nationwide. With the Early Childhood Studies Special Education Teaching Concentration, you can complete a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Studies, bypass credential entry tests, and begin work on your teaching credential before you graduate.
The ECS major provides a foundational focus on:
- human development
- family systems
- advocacy for young children in their communities
The Special Education Program builds on that foundation with commitments to:
- evidence-based instruction for individuals with disabilities ages 5-22
- inclusive educational practices
- collaborative relationships with families, teachers, and administrators.
Timeline:
- Years 1 & 2: Complete General Education (GE) and lower-division courses in the ECS major or ADT: Child Development
- Spring of Sophomore Year: Apply to the Special Education Teaching Concentration
- Years 3 & 4: Complete upper-division GE, upper-division courses in the ECS major, and special education courses.
Advisors:
Dr. Chiara Bacigalupa (for ECS BA questions): chiara.bacigalupa@sonoma.edu
Dr. Jennifer Mahdavi (credential questions): jennifer.mahdavi@sonoma.edu
EDEC 178 Introduction to ECS Major and Portfolio (1 unit)
EDEC 110 Understanding Development: Birth through Adolescence (3 units)
EDEC 201 Foundations of Early Care and Education (4 units)
EDEC 220 Child Observation with Field Experience (4 units)
EDEC 270 Families and Children in Diverse Societies (4 units)
EDEC 411 Infant and Toddler Development (3 units)
EDSP 432 Young Children with Special Needs (4 units)
EDEC 435 Leadership on Behalf of Children and Families (4 units)
EDEC 450 Empowerment and Equity for Children and Families (3 units)
EDEC 460 Introduction to Research in Early Childhood Studies (4 units)
EDEC 478 ECS Senior Portfolio (1 unit)
All required (21 units):
EDSP 421 Foundations of Special Education Pedagogy (4) (Spring Only)
EDSP 426 Language and Communication Development (4) (Spring Only)
EDEC 437 Integrated Curriculum with Field Experience (4)
EDSS 417 School and Society (3)
MATH 150 Modern Geometry (3)
MATH 300A Elementary Number Systems (3)
Literacy, Choose one (3 units):
EDEC 407 Children’s Literature for Social Justice (3)
CALS 450 Chicano/Latino Children’s Literature (3)
Science, Choose one (3 units):
BIOL 110 Biological Inquiry (3)
BIOL 115 Introduction to Biology (3)
BIOL 315 Plants and Society (3)
PHYS 107 Intro to Physical Science for Teachers (3)
PHYS 342 Light and Color (3)
GEOL 102 Our Dynamic Earth: Introduction to Geology (3)
GEOL 107 Intro to Earth Science (3)
GEOL 110 Natural Disasters (3)
GEOL 302 Climate Change (3)
GEOL 305 Geology of America’s National Parks (3)
History, Choose one (3 units):
HIST 201 Foundations of World Civilization (3)
HIST 242 History of the Americans Since Independence (3)
HIST 384 Empires and Colonies (3)
HIST 472 California History 1 (3)
HIST 473 California History 2 (3)
HIST 465 History of African-American Thought and Culture (3)
NAMS 165 Native Cultures of Northern California (3)
NAMS 273 American Diversity (3)
CALS 219 The Latino Experience (3)
Arts, Choose one (2-3 units):
EDEC 452 Visual Arts for Children (3)
THAR 101 Making Theater (3)
THAR 125 Intro to Acting (3)
THAR 392 Performing Arts for Children (2)
MUS 105 Music Theory for Non-Majors (3)
MUS 400 Music for the Classroom (2)
MUS 350 Survey of World Music
Movement, Choose one (2-3 units):
KIN 400 Elementary School Physical Education (3)
DANC 210 Dance for Everybody (2)
DANC 271 Global Perspectives in Dance (3)
DANC 334 Dance Teaching Methodologies (3)
*Depending on whether GEs are chosen for some of the multiple subject areas, students may need additional university electives to meet the 120-unit graduation requirement. With the assistance of a credential advisor, students may choose to take additional coursework toward the credential.
EDSP 424
EDSP 421b
EDSP 460
EDSP 460b
EDMS 474
Special Education courses that must be completed after graduation:
EDSP 465: Student Teaching in Special Education (8)
EDSP 461: Fieldwork Support and Assessment Two (2)
Transfer Students
Transfer students who enter the concentration can transfer in coursework referred to in the Community College system as "CAP-8" coursework. Our lower division coursework is aligned with the CAP-8 coursework, and transfer students who have completed their lower division GE requirements and CAP-8 coursework or an Associate Degree for Transfer in Child Development/Early Childhood Education will receive credit for the lower division requirements in the concentration plus EDEC 450, with the exception of EDEC 178 Intro to the ECS Major and Portfolio (1 unit).