SPED 523, Foundations of Early Intervention/ECSE, 3 credits
Elevating Early Childhood Special Education Grant
Are you interested in being an Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) teacher?
The Elevating Early Childhood Special Education Grant, available for courses taken through August 2025, provides funding to support students seeking licensure in Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE). Through this grant, students are eligible for up to 6 credits of tuition support. The program applications for the Spring and Summer semesters are now open. Student fees will not be covered with the grant.
Who can apply for the Early Childhood Education Teacher Shortage Grant?
- Current MSUM graduate students pursuing MN ECSE licensures are eligible to have between 1-6 credits of coursework paid for, depending on how many credits they have left prior to applying for an additional ECSE license.
- Future MSUM graduate students pursuing an MN ECSE licensure will be eligible for up to 6 credits towards their licensure.
- Current undergraduate students pursuing licensure in Early Childhood Education and interested in taking graduate courses in Early Childhood Special Education will be eligible for up to 6 credits towards their licensure. These courses do not count toward the undergrad tuition bundle.
What is an Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) license?
The Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) licensure prepares educators to work with young students with disabilities (Birth to age 6). ECSE teachers help children develop emotionally, cognitively, and socially. With the shortage of early childhood educators, this grant allows educators to work towards their licensure at a reduced rate.
What classes count for tuition support?
Classes you may need for licensure in ECSE and the semester(s) they are offered are listed below. Note you more than likely do not need all of them; refer to the curriculum plan you received when you first entered the program to determine what course(s) you need.
Fall Classes
SPED 601, Advanced Assessment in Special Education: Birth-21, 3 credits
SPED 664, Theory and Process of Consultation and Collaboration, 3 credits
SPED 668E, Graduate Licensure Practicum: ECSE, 3 credits
SPED 668I, Graduate Licensure Practicum: Infant/Toddler, 3 credits
Spring Classes
SPED 526, Fundamental Strategies for Early Intervention and ECSE, 3 credits
SPED 545, Methods of Reading Intervention, 3 credits
SPED 620, Perspectives and Policies in Special Education, 3 credits
SPED 668E, Graduate Licensure Practicum: ECSE, 3 credits
SPED 668I, Graduate Licensure Practicum: Infant/Toddler, 3 credits
Summer Classes
SPED 613, Inclusive Teaching Methods, 3 credits (Summer, Even Years)
SPED 606, Classroom and School-wide Positive Behavior Supports, 3 credits
SPED 641, Methods of Developmental Disabilities: Birth-Age 21, 3 credits (Summer, Even Years)
Frequently Asked Questions about the ECSE Grant
Unfortunately, MSUM only offers additional teaching licenses at the graduate level. This means you would first need a Tier 3 license.
If you are an undergraduate pursuing an initial ECE teaching license, you can still participate in the program. Learn about the accelerated Early Childhood Education to Early Childhood Special Education pathway.
You are expected to participate in monthly Zoom meetings with Danielle Parenteau that focus on specific questions you have as an Early Childhood Special Education teacher. She is currently putting together a list of topics that have arisen during practicums, then we will send you a survey where you can provide your ideas.
YES, please do! We would love to have at least ten more students join our licensure program and take advantage of the grant. They can take classes for ECSE licensure or the MS of Special Education with an Emphasis in ECSE. Classes needed for other licenses or the master’s program (SPED 604, SPED 696) are not financially supported under this grant.
To apply for the grant, you must currently be an admitted student. If you are not, you can apply for the Early Childhood Special Education licensure for the Spring and Summer 2025 semesters starting in October.
If you are currently an admitted student, please apply for the grant by filling out this form. We will contact you with next steps once the form is submitted.
Who do I contact with Questions about the ECSE Grant?
Marci Glessner,
PhD, MA, BSED
Associate Professor
School of Teaching & Learning
Danielle Parenteau,
MS, BS
Adjunct Faculty
School of Teaching & Learning