Micro-Credential in Early Childhood Special Education
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.
Empower your students and community, and take the next step toward a future full of possibility.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
We believe in full transparency with our total cost of attendance. No hidden fees. No surprises along the way.
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
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.
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 & ROIWe 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 StoriesOur 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 ServicesBecause 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.
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.
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
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.
*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.
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
All applicants must submit, to the Admissions Office, an official evaluation from a NACES-approved organization.
All applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate competence in the English language as demonstrated in one of three ways:
2Internal research conducted November 2025
4Education Data Initiative accessed on January 28, 2026
Our Enrollment Counselors are here to answer your questions and walk you through the enrollment process.