Graduate Catalog 2024-2025
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Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education, Birth to Primary, Master of Arts in Education (0461)

Department website: http://www.wku.edu/ste/


Program Coordinator

Janet L. Tassell, janet.tassell@wku.edu, (270) 745-5306

Program Contact
Rachael Lee, rachael.lee@wku.edu, (270) 745-2819

The MAE in Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education provides a choice of two concentrations which are dependent upon an applicant's current certification and their desired additional certificate sought. Candidates choose one of the following concentrations: Advanced Behavior Management or Teaching English to Speakers of other Languages (TESOL).

Students are expected to become competent in theory, research, and application of best teaching practices related to young children both with and without disabilities from birth through 5 years of age and their families. Students exhibit appropriate teacher disposition behaviors as indicated by the College of Education and Behavioral Sciences Teacher Disposition Rating Form.  

Candidates in the Advanced Behavior Management or TESOL concentrations will complete capstone experiences within their respective area.

Concentrations

  • Advanced Behavior Management (ABM)
  • Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) (KE36)

Program Admission

The MAE in Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education (IECE) offers courses and experiences for the advanced preparation of individuals holding certification. 

  • Applicants who are currently certified or hold a statement of eligibility must submit a copy of the teaching certificate or Statement of Eligibility with the application.

Kentucky applicants whose certificates have expired may be admitted, but they may enroll for only six hours before they must apply to the EPSB for reissued certificates. After completion of six hours, a student admitted with an expired certificate must submit a copy of the re-issued certificate before being allowed to register for any additional courses. Applicants from out-of-state with expired certificates must complete the requirements for their respective states to renew their certificates and submit a copy of the reissued certificate.

Graduate Studies Admission

Please refer to the admission section of this catalog for Graduate Studies admission requirements.

Program Requirements (30-37 hours) 

Required Courses
IECE 520Organizing Programs for Early Childhood Special Education3
IECE 423GInterdisciplinary Services for Young Children with Low Incidence Disabilities 13
IECE 522Family-Focused Services3
EDFN 500Research Methods 13
IECE 525Special Topics in Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education3
Concentration Courses15-22
Total Hours30-37

Advanced Behavior Management Concentration (15 hours) 

Required Courses
SPED 501Introduction to Applied Behavior Analysis3
SPED 502Positive Behavior Supports3
SPED 503Behavior Assessment3
SPED 504Instruction to Improve Behavior3
SPED 505Ethics Surrounding Behavior Issues3
Total Hours15

Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) Concentration (KE36) (16-22 Hours)

Required Courses
ENG 407GLinguistic Analysis3
ENG 408GPsycholinguistics and Sociolinguistics3
ENG 565Integrated Teaching English as a Second Language3
ENG 566Teaching and Testing ESL Grammar3
ENG 471GTESL Practicum4
Select 6 hours of foreign language (FREN, GERM, SPAN, MLNG, ARBC, CHIN, JAPN, RUSS) or fulfill language requirements of the WKU Colonnade Program0-6
Total Hours16-22
1

Or advisor approved equivalent.