Micro-Credential in Early Childhood Special Education

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  • Prerequisites
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Course Information

Total Cost *
$3,568
Next Start Date
Jul 13, 2026
Completion Time
6 Months
Semester Credits
12

Prerequisites

Degree Type
Bachelor's
Minimum GPA
2.5

Cost Calculator

Transfer Credits
Total Cost *

Support Early Childhood Learning Needs

Build your skillset with the Micro-credential in Early Childhood Special Education program at American College of Education (ACE). Courses equip you with essential skills in creating advocacy support systems, assessing and guiding language development, and intervention – all grounded in focused research.

This program offers an additional benefit, as you can apply your credits toward ACE’s M.Ed. in Special Education to further your expertise and prepare for career advancement. Plus, once you graduate with the micro-credential, you’ll be eligible to apply the Alumni Continuing Education Grant toward your master’s degree.

Note for Illinois residents: Courses for the Micro-credential in Early Childhood Special Education are approved by the Illinois State Board of Education and meet the coursework requirements toward an endorsement for Illinois residents. 

Program Details

The Early Childhood Special Education Micro-Credential provides students with content to support early learning needs of populations. Content addresses research, community partnerships, language development and assessment and intervention methods centered on supporting young children with special needs. Courses in this sequence are approved by the Illinois State Board of Education as meeting the coursework requirements for an Early Childhood Special Education Endorsement for Illinois residents.

Courses

Here are the courses you’ll take when working towards this program. If no focus of study option is selected, you can choose any 3 courses from the study options below.
Visit the College Catalog to see all courses.

This program consists of
12 credits
Core Courses
EC5423 - 3 SEMESTER CREDITS
Instructional Methods for Early Childhood Special Education

This course prepares educators to implement evidence-based instructional methods and intervention techniques for children with special needs from infancy through grade 2. Candidates develop competencies in designing, adapting, and implementing developmentally appropriate curriculum and instructional strategies that foster social, emotional, cognitive, communication, adaptive, and motor development across early childhood settings such as home, school, and community.

SPED5043 - 3 SEMESTER CREDITS
Building Collaborative Relationships

Collaboration between or among instructional personnel, students' home/family, and the community is increasingly important in meeting students' learning needs. This course addresses strategies and tools to build collaborative relationships between general and special education instructors, families, the community, advocacy, and other outside organizations to impact student outcomes positively.

SPED5073 - 3 SEMESTER CREDITS
Language: The Foundation for Reading

Language forms the foundation for the acquisition of reading skills. In this course, atypical language development is contrasted with normal progression of linguistic skills to identify the type and cause of potential problems, addressing the difficulties associated with instruction and promoting practical methods for enhancing the required language skills needed for effective communication. Assessment, diagnostic, and development techniques for intervention and remediation are examined, including the exploration of augmentative language and the use of alternative and assistive technologies to support individuals with exceptional needs.

SPED5083 - 3 SEMESTER CREDITS
Early Childhood Assessment and Intervention

Focused on early childhood developmental issues, this course includes formal and informal approaches to assessing young children while diagnosing potential concerns which lead to informed instructional and intervention choices. Choices in curriculum are aligned to needs to enhance student achievement.

Related Programs

Start Dates

With flexible start dates, you can begin your program when it's best for you.
July 13, 2026 Term
-
+
Jul 10, 2026
Application Due
Jul 10, 2026
Payment Due
Jul 13, 2026
Term Start
Jul 17, 2026
Unregister/Cancel Deadline
Aug 16, 2026
Term End
August 24, 2026 Term
-
+
Aug 21, 2026
Application Due
Aug 21, 2026
Payment Due
Aug 24, 2026
Term Start
Aug 28, 2026
Unregister/Cancel Deadline
Sep 27, 2026
Term End
October 05, 2026 Term
-
+
Oct 02, 2026
Application Due
Oct 02, 2026
Payment Due
Oct 05, 2026
Term Start
Oct 09, 2026
Unregister/Cancel Deadline
Nov 08, 2026
Term End
November 16, 2026 Term
-
+
Nov 13, 2026
Application Due
Nov 13, 2026
Payment Due
Nov 16, 2026
Term Start
Nov 20, 2026
Unregister/Cancel Deadline
Dec 20, 2026
Term End

Tuition

We believe in full transparency with our total cost of attendance. No hidden fees. No surprises along the way.

Total Cost of Micro-Credential in Early Childhood Special Education

credit

Total Tuition

semester credit x $ per credit
$

Fees

$
Total Program Cost
$*
Find a plan that fits your budget.
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Return on Your Investment

Continuing your education is a big decision that involves an investment of your time and money. We recognize that, which is why we're committed to ensuring you experience a positive return on that investment.

You only pay the cost it takes for us to deliver your education, nothing more. By keeping our tuition low, we’ve helped our students see a $19.20 return in future higher earnings for every $1 they invested in their ACE education.1

How to Pay for College

Because of our low tuition and total program cost, 87% of our students graduate debt-free.2 Popular payment options include paying by course, paying by month or paying in full. Visit our payment options page to learn more.

$17,515
Average competitor total cost2
$9,655
Average ACE total cost*
When we say low cost, we mean it

The proof is in the numbers. ACE’s commitment to keeping tuition and fees low means our price is a fraction of the cost of other comparable programs.

Why ACE?

Low-Cost, High Quality

You deserve a great return on your educational investment, and we deliver master's degrees at a total average cost of $10,000*. We also award over $1.2M in scholarships and grants each year.

Tuition & ROI
$1.2M
in
scholarships

Quality You Expect

We are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Our faculty work in the industries where you work and are committed to your success, contributing to our 85% graduation rate.3 Our curriculum equips you with practical strategies you can apply right away, as well as skills to help you advance your career.

Success Stories
85%
graduation
rate3

Flexibility You Need

Our virtual campus and convenient start dates provide you the flexibility you need to achieve your goals at a time and place that works with your busy schedule. Our student support services are available 24/7 and tutoring is included at no additional cost.

Support Services
24/7
student support
services

See How ACE Stacks Up

Graduation and Satisfaction Rates

ACE Graduates with No Debt² vs. Master’s Degree Holders from Private, For-Profit Institutions⁴

87%
31%

ACE vs. Comparison Group for Better Than Expected Overall Student Satisfaction or Higher²

86%
82%
Stay Within Your Budget

Because we don’t have a physical campus, our students don’t need to pay infrastructure or facility fees. We also keep our operational costs low by not participating in Title IV federal funding. We pass all these savings along to our students.

Network Across the Globe

Due to our engaging online format, you’ll connect and learn from industry peers worldwide. And even though you’re learning online, you won’t feel alone thanks to student discussion boards and online forums.

Gain Today’s In-Demand Skills

Learn strategies and skills you can apply immediately and leverage for future career advancement. Employers of ACE graduates report a 96% satisfaction rate,3 while 98% of our students felt their professional skills were stronger after graduation.3

Learn From Custom-Built Curriculum

Every course is created by our in-house curriculum and production team working in tandem with our academic leaders. Plus, all courses follow a consistent structure. No outdated coursework, no surprises.

Student Success Stories

Picture of Jazzmyne Townsend
Alumni
M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction
Jazzmyne Townsend
Read Jazzmyne's story »

Admission Requirements

ACE General Admission Requirements
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+
  • Complete and submit all application components including the admission application, the enrollment agreement and payment agreement.
  • Submit the nonrefundable application fee. *
  • Provide official transcripts from an institution that is accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education indicating successful completion of the level of education required for entry to the program. **
  • Secure electronic transcripts can be mailed to [email protected].


*The application fee is valid for one year from date of submission.

**Additional evidence may be required to fulfill state requirements, including but not limited to verification of professional experience, test scores, or an interview.

Program Admission Requirements
-
+

 Bachelor's or Highest Post-Baccalaureate degree earned from Regionally Accredited Institution    

 Minimum grade point average cumulative 2.5 on a 4.0 scale for full admission





International Transcript Requirements
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+

All applicants must submit, to the Admissions Office, an official evaluation from a NACES-approved organization.

  • Transcripts that are international and/or not in English must be evaluated through a NACES-recommended agency.
  • Texas applicants for licensure programs may only submit evaluations from agencies approved by the Texas Education Agency.
  • International applicants must request the course-by-course evaluation. The evaluation report must show that the non-U.S. education is equivalent to the education/accreditation level required for the program.
English as a Second Language Applicants
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+

All applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate competence in the English language as demonstrated in one of three ways:

  1. Submission of an official transcript showing a degree from a United States secondary school or regionally accredited college/university.
  2. Submission of an official minimum score on the paper or internet-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exams.
  3. The minimum TOEFL score required for the internet-based version is 80, and the paper-based version requires a minimum TOEFL score of 20 for each of the three skills: Reading, Listening and Writing.
  4. The minimum IELTS score required is 6.5. Note: IELTS is not acceptable for Texas programs leading to certification.
  5. The testing agency must send test scores directly to American College of Education.
  6. Applicants to the Texas Educational Leadership program whose first language is not English must submit a minimum scaled score of 24 for speaking, 22 for listening, 22 for reading and 21 for writing from the Internet-Based TOEFL (IBT) or evidence of an undergraduate or graduate degree earned at an institution of higher education in a country outside of the United States listed in Figure: 19 TAC §230.11(b)(5)(C).

1Lightcast Study

2Internal research conducted November 2025

3Student Right to Know

4Education Data Initiative accessed on January 28, 2026

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