The steps to take in becoming a teacher can take a lot of work, but in the end is so rewarding. Choosing to work in early childhood education and early childhood special education is a little different than other early education. Here is what the program looks like and career options with earning the dual degree.

The types of classes that are needed to complete the early childhood and early childhood special education program include development classes, behavioral classes, classroom management and learning strategies. Here is a list of the type of classes needed to complete the program:

• Early language and literacy development
• Social and emotional development
• Behavioral interventions
• Classroom management
• Learning strategies
• Instructional methods
• Assessments, evaluations and progress reporting
• Child, family and community collaboration
• Educational advocacy for children with and without exceptionalities

With having such a specific degree, it may feel like you have a limited amount of career options, but there are many career options to pick from. Since you will obtain an education degree, it allows you to teach. An early education degree allows you to teach in pre-K up to grade 3 classrooms. Here are some of the teaching options possible with an early education degree:

• Early childhood education centers
• Public and private preschool/pre-K
• Public and private elementary school
• Nonprofit organizations
• Educational policy organizations
• Some of the jobs that may be directly related to an early childhood special education degree could include:

• Teaching positions
• Special education advocacy roles
• Special education program coordinators
• School administration roles

As a special education teacher you will work more directly with struggling students and those who require a little more attention and help with schoolwork. You have the ability to work in the school system and teach. If you have a heart for teaching young students and like working with young students with special needs, then a dual degree in early childhood education and early childhood special education is right for you.

To learn more about how Grand Canyon University’s College of Education provides teachers with the tools to work with the youngest learners students for future success, visit our website or click the Request More Information Button on this page.