DEPARTMENT
OF SPECIAL EDUCATION
Interdisciplinary Early Childhood
Education
emphasizing Special Education
in Early Childhood (IECE/SEEC)
WHAT DOES A SEEC PROFESSIONAL DO?
WHERE DOES A SEEC PROFESSIONAL WORK?
PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES FOR STUDENTS
Kentucky is committed to providing quality early educational services
to young children from birth to five years of age. Significant numbers
of infants, toddlers, and preschoolers exhibit developmental delays or
conditions which place them at high risk for developing a delay or disability.
Early intervention, which can dramatically decrease the negative impact
of these problems, has gained nationwide support. However, there
is a serious shortage of professionals who specialize in early intervention,
especially for children with delays or disabilities. The Kentucky
Department of Education offers teacher certification in Interdisciplinary
Early Childhood Education (IECE), which includes training to work with
young children both with or without disabilities. The SEEC Program
at Eastern Kentucky University will lead to IECE
certification. The SEEC Program also prepares individuals to work
with these young children (birth to five) in settings other than schools.
back
to top
A SEEC professional may be a teacher for 3 to 4 year olds or a developmental
interventionist for 0 to 3 year olds. The SEEC professional, along
with the child's family, determines the service(s) needed for the young
child by using formal and informal testing, observation, and other assessment
procedures. SEEC professionals also work with the family to help
ensure that the most appropriate conditions, such as the child's environment
or service facilities, are available to best serve the child with special
needs, as well as the family members. SEEC professional help create
individualized service plans for the child and family, and must be well
prepared in such areas as child development, family systems, behavior management,
individualized assessment, prescriptive teaching, and curriculum development.
They must be knowledgeable of community resources and be trained to work
as a cooperative team member with other professionals (e.g., social workers,
speech-language pathologists, physicians, audiologists, occupational or
physical therapists). These professionals must also be very familiar
with laws and other regulations which affect these young children and their
families.
back
to top
Most settings serve both children who are normal and children who are
delayed. After graduation, many SEEC professional with the IECE teaching
certificate work in school systems. Others may work in settings such
as: community hospitals, residential programs, rehabilitation facilities,
day care centers, Head Start or other preschool programs, or in the child's
home.
back
to top
EKU'S Interdisciplinary
Early Childhood Education Program
with a Special Education In
Early Childhood emphasis
Special Education in Early Childhood (SEEC) is one of the six majors in the Department of Special Education, which is in the College of Education. There are approximately 100 graduate/undergraduate students enrolled in SEEC. We are housed in a modern facility, centrally located on campus. Our program is accredited by the Kentucky Department of Education. Bachelor's and Master's degrees are offered with teaching and non-teaching options. Preparation for the Rank I, II, and III Kentucky teacher certification endorsements in IECE are also available. IECE/SEEC includes courses from areas such as: Special Education, Child and Family Studies, Social Work, Communication Disorders and Allied Health.
For an undergraduate student, the 134-hour SEEC major (teaching option) will lead to the Bachelor of Science Degree and the IECE initial teaching certificate. The 132-hour SEEC major (non-teaching option) will lead to the Bachelor of Science Degree without leading to a teaching certificate.
Students holding a Bachelor's Degree and a basic Kentucky teaching certificate, may complete their training (61 hours) at the graduate level (73 hours). Those students must meet prerequisite requirements, including Admission to Teacher Education. A 30-hour non-teaching option is also available at the graduate level for students who wish to earn the Master of Arts Degree, but do not which to obtain a teaching certificate. Students from various undergraduate backgrounds are eligible for admission into the Master's program; however, there may be prerequisites required. All deficiencies must be completed prior to the admission to candidacy for the Master's Degree.
Opportunity to obtain Rank I teacher certification endorsement in IECE, is also available to students who have completed their graduate preparation and who have a teaching certificate. Typically, a 30-hour planned program must be complete for the Rank I.
Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education B.S. Degree Programs
Students in the IECE/SEEC Program are encouraged to become members of
the Student Council for Exceptional Children. This organization at
EKU provides our students with a way to become involved in professional
and social activities at the local level. Many also become student
members of our state and national associations.
back
to top
Called the "Campus Beautiful," EKU has 15,000 students enrolled and
is a public, comprehensive university with a small college atmosphere.
Located in the "Heart of the Bluegrass," EKU is in the city of Richmond
(population of 21,000), just off I-75. Lexington is 30 minutes away.
Louisville and Cincinnati are about 2 hours from campus. Knoxville
is less than 3 hours away. Students often enjoy the "get-away" opportunities
of concerts, historic sites, state parks, horse racing, arts, crafts, and
other educational and recreational activities available in the area.
back
to top
For additional information, please contact
Dr.
Megan Purcell (859) 622-3158. If no answer, please call
the Department of Special Education at (859) 622-4442.
back
to top