MEd in Clinical Dual Certification ECE & ECSE New England campus experience
Expert instruction
Career-relevant curriculum
Academic and career support
Program Overview Why get an Master of Education (MEd) in Early Childhood and Early Childhood Special Education on campus?
Pursue your passion for helping children develop essential skills by earning your Master of Education (MEd) in Early Childhood and Early Childhood Special Education from Southern New Hampshire University. Successful completion of this program prepares you for New Hampshire state licensure in early childhood education (pre-K - grade 3) and early childhood special education (birth - age 8).
Skills you'll learn:
- Apply principles of assessment
- Use technology to enhance student learning
- Promote investigation, problem solving and exploration
- Assess reading, writing and mathematics in the elementary classroom
- Promote learning through scientifically-based instructional strategies
- Understand and handle issues related to children with disabilities
Courses & Curriculum Support young learners with on-campus early childhood and special education courses
The master's in early childhood and early childhood special education is a full-time, 36-credit, iterative program in the state of New Hampshire. The program involves 44 weeks of clinical experiences and takes 16 months to finish*. Students are required to complete the Teacher Certification Program (TCP) Application during the Gateway I. This includes successful completion of ECE 609, SPED 501C, EDU 616, criminal background check and passing PRAXIS CORE scores.
*Time to completion based on full-time enrollment, with courses taken continuously.
Learn from instructors with industry experience
Our faculty members bring with them decades of knowledge and experience, which informs the development of SNHU’s courses and curriculum. They look forward to supporting your journey both in the classroom and as you work toward a career in your field.
Audrey Rogers
Position
Associate Dean for Graduate Education Programs
Joined SNHU
2007
Education
- EdD in Leadership and Learning from Rivier College
- MA in History from the University of New Hampshire
- MEd in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Massachusetts, Lowell
- BA in History from Tufts University
Dr. Audrey Rogers is the associate dean for graduate education programs and professor of education at Southern New Hampshire University. She holds New Hampshire licensure as a social studies educator (grades 5-12) and as a digital learning specialist (K-12). She is past president and current member of the NH IHE (Institutions of Higher Education) Network, a consortium of all NH educator preparation programs. Her recent research focused on competency-based education and assessment literacy in preservice educators.
To learn more about SNHU faculty, visit our campus faculty page.
Campus major courses
You’ll take major courses that provide you with a solid foundation in your area of study – in some cases featuring experiential or project-based learning opportunities, labs, simulations and internships. These courses will allow you to learn a wide variety of topics and help prepare you for a role in your desired field.
Courses may include:
Visit the course catalog to view the full MEd in Early Childhood and Special Education curriculum.
Licensure & Disclosure Information
The early childhood education program is approved by the New Hampshire State Department of Education for teacher certification as leading to an endorsement in New Hampshire. The early childhood special education program is in the final stages of being approved by the New Hampshire Department of Education. Southern New Hampshire University cannot guarantee licensure, certification, endorsement or salary benefits. View disclosure information.
Can't wait? You don't have to!
Whether you’re looking to continue your education locally or traveling across the world to experience SNHU, you can apply now. We can’t wait to meet you!
Career Outlook What can I do with an early childhood and special education MEd?
Earning your master's in early childhood and early childhood special education can prepare you for a variety of careers. Graduates often teach in public schools (pre-K - grade 3), operate daycares or preschools, direct early childhood education programs and work on policy issues related to early childhood education.
Career paths include:
- Public school teacher
- Early childhood education policy
- Daycare operator
- Director of early childhood education
Yearly average openings for preschool teachers projected through 2033, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).1
Understanding the numbers
When reviewing job growth and salary information, it’s important to remember that actual numbers can vary due to many different factors—like years of experience in the role, industry of employment, geographic location, worker skill and economic conditions. Cited projections do not guarantee actual salary or job growth.
Campus Student Experience So, what's it like taking classes on campus?
As a student in this 16-month program, you'll engage with young children (preschool to grade 3) from day 1, spending a full school year working alongside practicing educators in local public schools. You'll first develop project based learning activities and then work with early childhood students during a summer learning program sponsored by SNHU. This program is competency-based, ensuring that upon graduating, you'll be fully prepared to teach in the growing number of NH schools that have adopted a competency-based approach to teaching and learning.
Student support
At SNHU, you'll never have to worry about feeling alone. Here, you’ll have help from your advisors, access to tutoring and office hours, career coaching, and mental health services so you can do your best and feel your best.
Additionally, our Office of Diversity Programs, International Student Services and Campus Accessibility Center make campus an inclusive place for everyone. Visit our Student Services page to learn more about our support offerings.
Small class sizes
With small class sizes, you’ll learn in an environment where professors with real world experience know you by name.
Here, you’re not getting lost in giant lecture halls, but instead, actively participating in thoughtful dialogue where you’re always encouraged to collaborate with your peers and ask questions when they arise.
State-of-the-art facilities
Our 300-acre campus has everything you need. From technology-advanced classroom settings to your dorms complete with fitness centers and hangout spots, our goal is to give you the best college experience possible.
Whether you’re learning in a classroom, in a lab, on the field, or in your field, you’ll have what you need to be successful from the moment you wake up to the moment you close your textbooks.
School of Arts, Sciences and Education Learn about the School of Arts, Sciences and Education
From understanding why people behave the way they do, to studying and tackling today's environmental issues, the School of Arts, Sciences and Education serves as an academic hub for creativity, collaboration and learning. Here, you'll have the chance to gain real-world experience through internships, student teaching, lab work and community-based projects. From studying cells under a microscope or analyzing crime scenes to leading a student-teaching session in an elementary classroom, you’ll learn how the world works so you can help make it a better place.
Student teaching opportunities
Inkwell game design studio
State-of-the-art labs
How SNHU makes college affordable
At Southern New Hampshire University, we're on a mission to make high-quality education more accessible with more affordable tuition. With 70+ career-focused majors, state-of-the-art facilities, D2 sports and over 70 student clubs and organizations, you can get the campus experience you've always dreamed of at a more affordable price.
Fill out the FAFSA to see if you’re eligible for grants or work-study. (You could also be offered loans, though you’ll have to pay those back later.)
Transfer credits toward your master's degree program at SNHU. If you’ve taken one course or many, we’ll evaluate them for you.
Getting free money for college – from SNHU or an outside organization – could help you save hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
Hear from us
Audrey Rogers, Associate Dean, Graduate Education Programs
Accreditations
SNHU is accredited by the regional accreditor the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). The university also carries specialized accreditations for some programs.
Graduate Education for Licensure Programs
The School of Arts, Sciences and Education at Southern New Hampshire University is granted accreditation at the initial licensure level by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (1140 19th St NW, Suite 400 Washington, DC 20036; 202-223-0077). Additional information regarding the programs covered under this accreditation and the accountability measures can be found on our CAEP Accreditation page.
Sources & Citations
1Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, on the internet, at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/preschool-teachers.htm (viewed Dec. 4, 2024). Cited projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth.
Your dream school is waiting
Apply now or schedule a visit today.