Early Childhood & Special Education, B.A.

Prepare to create nurturing environments in which all learners can thrive. Vermont State University’s Early Childhood & Special Education degree program prepares you for dual licensure in early childhood and early childhood special education across the entire early childhood age spectrum.

Our applied focus and social justice emphasis will equip you to work in a variety of settings and take the lead in shaping spaces and practices sensitive to the needs of each one of your students. Your degree will open the door to positions ranging from private day care to early intervention to public elementary schools.

Reach out with Questions

Neil Sinclair

Assistant Director of Admissions

802.879.2368

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Why Study Early Childhood & Special Education at Vermont State?

  • High-Demand Field: Enter an area rich with opportunities. Vermont and the nation as a whole face a shortage in early childhood educators, so your expertise will be in demand.  
  • Licensure Preparation: When you successfully complete our teacher education program, in conjunction with all prescribed degree requirements, you’ll be qualified for a Vermont Initial Educator license. This is a dual endorsement program across the entire Early Childhood spectrum, leading to a license in Birth Through Grade 3 in early childhood education and an endorsement in Birth Through Age 6 in special education. 
  • Theory Put into Practice: We learn best when we can apply what we’re learning in real-world contexts. That’s why our courses are designed to immerse you in field experiences as early as possible, letting you test and develop what you are discovering in the classroom.  
  • Distinctive Focus: Don’t just learn to teach; learn to lead. You’ll look at education through the lens of social justice and help to promote change by creating environments that are sensitive to the needs and potential of all learners.  
  • Jobs Right out of School: Get connected to immediate opportunities through one of your practicum sites or our partnership with Rutland County Parent-Child Center to establish our graduates as substitute teachers in both Brandon and Rutland counties.  

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Sample Courses

  • Teaching the Exceptional Learner 
  • Creative Arts and Expression 
  • Ethics and Diversity in Early Childhood Education 
  • Trauma and Intervention 
  • Early Childhood Education, B.S. 
  • Inclusive Childhood Education, B.A. 
  • Inclusive Adolescent Education, B.A. 
  • Human Services, A.S. 
  • Music Education, B.M. 
  • Physical Education, B.S. 

Student Stories

A photo of a young blond girl smiling at the camera.

“I really appreciate all of the opportunities in this program. All of the professors encouraged me to do my best and helped to build my confidence when I thought that I didn’t have what it takes to be the student I am today.”   

Kontessa Siliski
A photo of Catie Roman, a young woman with long dark hair wearing a dark shirt in front of a grey background

“Everything clicked really well for me here. I visited other schools, but nothing compared to what I felt at Vermont State…The accepting, positive, uplifting community is definitely a reason I came here.”   

Catie Roman

Meet Our Faculty

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Assistant Professor

  • Lyndon Campus

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