EARLY CHILDHOOD, SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY, AND SPECIAL EDUCATION
The Department of Early Childhood, Speech-Language Pathology and Special Education offers an undergraduate program in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology and a minor in Special Education.At the graduate level, licensure-only programs are available in Early Childhood (PK-grade 3) and Special Education, and Masters degrees with licensure in all three disciplines:Early Childhood, Speech-Language Pathology and Special Education.
Other activities of the ESSE Department include operation of the Scottish Rite Center for Childhood Speech and Language Disorders, the University Speech and Hearing Clinic, the Child Development Center, the Preschool/Kindergarten program and the Kiwanis Parenting Center.These clinical programs, housed in the Child Study Center, give students valuable practical experience, deliver needed clinical and educational services to members of the Hampton Roads community, and provide a focus for innovative faculty and student research.
Early Childhood Education Graduate Program
The Early Childhood Education Graduate Program leads to a Master of Science in Education with a major in Early Childhood Education. The program for each student is individualized and stresses a complete understanding of the developmental needs of children. Highlights of the program include the following: Concentration on the formative years (birth through age 9). Areas of emphasis within the program include: child care administration and curriculum, learning in preschool/kindergarten and primary years, out-of-school learning and family interaction, parent training and support groups, innovative teaching techniques for general education children, children with mild disabilities, and high risk children, techniques and strategies for helping children cope with sress, research in infancy, preschool, and school-aged children.
Graduates of the program hold positions as master teachers of early childhood education, parent advocates and trainers, child behavior specialists, researchers in schools and governmental agencies, supervisors in child welfare agencies, primary school administrations, family/school coordinators, parent education directors, state welfare department consultants, child care administrators and directors, and undergraduate college/university instructors.
Katherine C. Kersey, Ed. D.
Graduate Program Director
(757) 683-4121
Special Education Graduate Program
The Special Education Program leads to the Master of Science in Education. Students major in special education and elect mild disabilites that include two emphasis areas from learning disabilities, mental retardation and emotional/behavioral disorders or early childhood special education or severe disabilities. This program is designed to provide teacher endorsement and prepares personnel to design and implement programs for individuals who manifest these disabilities. The program combines coursework, practica and student teaching to facilitate the integration of theory and practice in the development of innovative interventions applicable for individuals with special needs from kindergarten through adult in both public and private facilities. Program competencies prepare students to work in school-based programs, clinics, hospitals and agency settings.
Cheryl S. Baker, Ph. D.
Graduate Program Director
(757) 683-3226
Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Undergraduate Program
The undergraduate program in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology prepares students to apply for acceptance into graduate degree programs. The undergraduate curriculum includes course work in phonetics, anatomy, acoustics, articulation, and language disorders, as well as audiology and hearing disorders.
Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Graduate Program
The graduate program is accredited by the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association (ASHA) and leads to a Master of Science in Education in Speech-Language Pathology. It prepares students for careers as speech-language pathologists in hospitals, clinics, medical centers, private practice, rehabilitation centers, and numerous other settings as well as in the public schools. Graduates satisfy all the academic and clinical mandates for certification in Speech-Language Pathology from ASHA. The master's program consists of a minimum of 39 hours of coursework in such varied areas as stuttering, cleft palate, aphasia, social dialects and voice disorders, among others. Successful completion of a writing proficiency examination, thesis and written comprehensive examination is required.
Nicolas G. Bountress, Ed. D.
Graduate Program Director
(757)683-4117