Early Childhood & Special Education
Program Transfer Guide
Towson University

Effective
Fall, 2024 - Current
Instruction Methods
In person
About the Program
The field of special education is rapidly changing. There is a critical need for teachers who can meet the cognitive, behavioral, social, emotional, linguistic and cultural needs of each student in the classroom.
This specially designed major gives you the opportunity to become certified to teach both early childhood (pre-K through grade 3) and special education (birth through grade 3). This comprehensive program offers:
- innovative and dynamic course work that helps you develop successful instruction and classroom management strategies
- transformative, real-world experiences through internship placements, offered in multiple school districts throughout the state of Maryland
- experienced faculty-mentors committed to your success
- a supportive cohort of fellow Towson University students studying early childhood-special education
- collaborative partnerships with families, communities and agencies
Minimum total of 131 units needed to graduate.
Special Education is a screened major. All candidates for the Special Education, Early Childhood & Special Education, or Elementary Education & Special Education majors will be ranked according to cumulative GPA in all college or university courses (transfer GPA and/or TU GPA).
For consideration for admission to a special education program, an online application must be submitted. Special Education programs often fill allotted spaces quickly. Interested applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible.
Students must meet the following requirements:
- GPA of 3.0 or higher
- possess a C or higher in all required coursework when transferring; no course lower than a 2.0 will transfer
- completion of 60 or more units (including units in progress)
All preservice students in Teacher Education programs at Towson University whose program of study require an intensive and extensive internship experience in a public or private school setting (pre-K through 12), are required to undergo a criminal background check before beginning this experience. The criminal background check must be filed with the Department of Special Education.