School of Education
Early Childhood / Elementary and
Special Education Department (EESE)

“Preparing Competent, Compassionate, Cooperative, and Committed Leaders”

Purpose

The Early Childhood/Elementary and Special Education Department provides undergraduate & graduate programs for students seeking preparation to work with young children and youth in the community, agencies, day care, and preK-12 school settings. All teacher education programs are accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education Programs (NCATE) and approved by the Virginia Board of Education.

You may click on hyperlinks below and to the left to see curricula and important information about programs in our department. Also, please contact us to learn more about our program offerings and how we engage our students in developing the knowledge, skills, and dispositions that embrace the conceptual framework of the Norfolk State University School of Education. The department’s mission is to prepare competent, compassionate, cooperative, and committed education leaders. The EESE department is located in suite 142 in the Bozeman Education Building. Inquiries may be emailed to mdknight@nsu.edu or call 757.823.8841.

I. Undergraduate Programs

Interdisciplinary Studies/English/Elementary Education PreK-6 Bachelor of Science Degree [Curriculum]

Students seeking certification in Elementary Education (preK-6) may pursue a degree in the liberal arts/sciences with emphasis on English. Students should apply to be admitted to the School of Education at the end of 60 hours of course work and passing scores on PRAXIS I (or equivalent). Students must pass the PRAXIS II, VRA, and VCLA to be approved for student teaching.

Interdisciplinary Studies/Mathematics/Elementary Education PreK-6 Bachelor of Science Degree [Curriculum]

Students seeking certification in Elementary Education (preK-6) may pursue a degree in the liberal arts/sciences with emphasis on Mathematics. Students are admitted to the School of Education at the end of 60 hours of course work and passing scores on PRAXIS I or equivalent). Students must pass the PRAXIS II, VRA, and VCLA to be approved for student teaching.

Interdisciplinary Studies/History/Elementary Education PreK-6 Bachelor of Science Degree [Curriculum]

Students seeking certification in Elementary Education (preK-6) may pursue a degree in the liberal arts/sciences with emphasis on History. Students are admitted to the School of Education at the end of 60 hours of course work and passing scores on PRAXIS I or equivalent). Students must pass the PRAXIS II, VRA, and VCLA to be approved for student teaching.

Interdisciplinary Studies/Special Education General Curriculum K-12 Bachelor of Science Degree [Curriculum]

Students seeking certification in Special Education (K-12) may pursue a degree in the liberal arts/sciences with emphasis on Interdisciplinary Studies. Students are admitted to the School of Education at the end of 60 hours of course work and passing scores on PRAXIS I (or equivalent). Students must pass the PRAXIS II, VRA, and VCLA to be approved for student teaching.

Psychology/Elementary Education PreK-3 or PreK-6 Bachelor of Arts Degree [PreK-3 Curriculum]    [PreK-6 Curriculum]

Students seeking certification in Elementary Education (preK-6) or (preK-3) may pursue a degree in Psychology with a thorough behavioral science background. Students are admitted to the School of Education at the end of 60 hours of course work and passing scores on PRAXIS I (or equivalent). Students must pass the PRAXIS II, VRA, and VCLA to be approved for student teaching.

Early Childhood For Three-And Four-Year-Olds (Add-On Endorsement) [Curriculum]

For students who want to be licensed to teach PK-3 AND three and four year olds the following three graduate level courses CAN be taken:

EDU 605 Human Growth and Development
ECS 683 Intervention Strategies for High Risk Children
ECS 626 Parent Participation in Education Systems

Psychology/Special Education General Curriculum K-12 Bachelor of Arts Degree [Curriculum]

Students seeking certification in Special Education (K-12) may pursue a degree in the liberal arts/sciences with emphasis on Psychology. Students are admitted to the School of Education at the end of 60 hours of course work and passing scores on PRAXIS I (or equivalent). Students must pass the PRAXIS II, VRA, and VCLA to be approved for student teaching.

Child Care Option Pre-School Bachelor of Science Degree [Curriculum]

Students seeking a bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Development may take courses in the Early Childhood Development/Child Care Option. This program is designed for students who want to work as teachers and/or directors in preschool, Head Start or child care settings. This program does not lead toward licensure.
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II. Graduate Programs

Master of Arts in Special Education Adapted Curriculum K-12 [Curriculum]

Students seeking credentials to teach individuals in the adapted curriculum program may earn a Master of Arts Degree in Special Education Adapted Curriculum K-12. Admission requirements are consistent with those of the Graduate Council of Norfolk State University and the admissions committee of the Department. Students must have passing scores on PRAXIS I (or equivalent) before taking more than nine credit hours. Students must pass the VRA and VCLA to be approved for student teaching.

Master of Arts in Special Education General Curriculum K-12 [Curriculum]

Students seeking credentials to teach individuals in the special education general curriculum (mild disabilities) program may earn a Master of Arts Degree in Special Education General Curriculum K-12. Admission requirements are consistent with those of the Graduate Council of Norfolk State University and the admissions committee of the Department. Students must have passing scores on PRAXIS I (or equivalent) before taking more than nine credit hours. Students must pass the VRA/RVE and VCLA to be approved for student teaching.

Master of Arts in Special Education General Curriculum (Non-teaching) [Curriculum]

Students from any discipline who wish to increase their competence in serving persons in special education programs may earn a Master of Arts Degree in Special Education. Admission requirements are consistent with those of the Graduate Council of Norfolk State University and the admissions committee of the Department.

Master of Arts in Special Education Rehabilitation Counseling [Curriculum]

Students may earn a Master of Arts Degree in Special Education which documents preparedness to work as a rehabilitation counselor. Admission requirements are consistent with those of the Graduate Council of Norfolk State University and the admissions committee of the Department.


Graduate Programs (Online Degree)

Master of Arts in Pre-Elementary Education (Online) [Curriculum]

The Graduate Program for the Master of Arts in Pre-Elementary Education was authorized in 1979. The Pre-Elementary Program was designed primarily for teachers with certification in Pre-Kindergarten through Fourth Grade. It is an interdisciplinary program, which focuses on Assessment and Intervention for High Risk Children and Family Involvement in Programs for Young Children.

Master of Arts in Pre-Elementary Education With Licensure in Special Education Early-Childhood Birth-Age 5 (Online) [Curriculum]

The Graduate Program for the Master of Arts in Pre-Elementary Education with licensure in Special Education Early Childhood (birth-age 5) was authorized in 2002. This program was designed primarily for teachers with certification in Special Education K-12 or Pre-Kindergarten through sixth grade seeking additional licensure in Special Education Early Childhood. It is an interdisciplinary program which focuses on assessment and intervention for high risk children and family involvement in programs for young children with disabilities.

Master of Arts In Teaching Elementary Education PreK-6 (Online) [Curriculum]

The Master of Arts in Teaching Elementary Education PreK-6 program is available to persons who have a baccalaureate degree in the arts and sciences (or equivalent) and who wish to receive a teaching license in Elementary Education. See “General Education Licensure Requirements” for more information. Students are allowed to enroll in 9 hours before submitting passing scores on PRAXIS I or equivalent. Students must pass the PRAXIS II, VRA, and VCLA to be approved for student teaching.

Graduate Certificate Programs

Transition Special Education Program - Graduate Certificate (Online) [Curriculum]

This graduate certificate in Transition Special Education will prepare secondary special education teachers to more effectively respond to the need for transition services as mandated by federal law – Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEIA) of 2004. An effective program in transition planning and services must include vocational and career assessment, Individualized Transition Plan development, and knowledge of the role of parents and agencies, as well as job development and job placement skills. Twelve hours of the following coursework will assist in enabling secondary special education teachers to meet those mandates.

Bilingual Special Education Program - Graduate Certificate (Online) [Curriculum]

This is a certificate for in-service K-12 teachers seeking to increase their knowledge of basic principles and practices of teaching exceptional learners from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. A core curriculum of five courses (15 credit hours) meets the requirements of this certificate. In addition, ten hours of clinical experience are required for each course.