Best institutions to study Education/Teaching of Individuals in Early Childhood Special Education Programs
A program that focuses on the design and provision of teaching and other educational services to infant and pre-school age children with special learning needs or disabilities, and that prepares individuals to teach such students.
154 U.S. institutions graduated 3,949 Education/Teaching of Individuals in Early Childhood Special Education Programs students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 13.1015, a specialization of Special Education and Teaching (CIP 13.10), and leads most directly to the Special Education Teachers, Preschool occupation (BLS SOC 25-2051).
About Education/Teaching of Individuals in Early Childhood Special Education Programs programs
A program that focuses on the design and provision of teaching and other educational services to infant and pre-school age children with special learning needs or disabilities, and that prepares individuals to teach such students. Includes instruction in diagnosing learning disabilities, developing individual education plans, teaching and supervising special education students, special education counseling, and applicable laws and policies.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Education/Teaching of Individuals in Early Childhood Special Education Programs is designed for individuals who aspire to work with infants and preschool-aged children with special learning needs or disabilities. This program focuses on equipping future educators with the necessary skills to provide effective teaching and educational services tailored to these young learners.
Learn more about Education/Teaching of Individuals in Early Childhood Special Education Programs →
Students in this program will gain knowledge in areas such as diagnosing learning disabilities, developing individual education plans (IEPs), and employing special educational strategies. Core skills include effective communication, active listening, and critical thinking, all essential for fostering the development of children with special needs.
Credentials awarded
What Education/Teaching of Individuals in Early Childhood Special Education Programs graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Associate's degree1,522 graduates / yr · 48 institutions39%
- Bachelor's degree957 graduates / yr · 42 institutions24%
- Master's degree948 graduates / yr · 43 institutions24%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year291 graduates / yr · 23 institutions7.4%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate177 graduates / yr · 19 institutions4.5%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years33 graduates / yr · 10 institutions0.8%
- Post-master's certificate21 graduates / yr · 4 institutions0.5%
Graduates over time
Education/Teaching of Individuals in Early Childhood Special Education Programs completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 1,591 |
| 2013 | 1,847 |
| 2014 | 1,950 |
| 2015 | 1,534 |
| 2016 | 1,674 |
| 2017 | 1,885 |
| 2018 | 2,136 |
| 2019 | 2,188 |
| 2020 | 2,471 |
| 2021 | 3,105 |
| 2022 | 3,464 |
| 2023 | 3,556 |
| 2024 | 3,547 |
| 2025 | 3,949 |
Top 50 institutions for Education/Teaching of Individuals in Early Childhood Special Education Programs, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Touro University New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 304 | 72% | $27,110 | — |
| 2 | University of Mount Saint Vincent Bronx, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 214 | 57% | $20,371 | — |
| 3 | East Los Angeles College Monterey Park, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 182 | 37% | — | — |
| 4 | Bowling Green State University - Main Campus Bowling Green, OHPublicBachelor's | 152 | 64% | — | $38,671 |
| 5 | Grand Canyon University Phoenix, AZPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 145 | 43% | $21,535 | $43,258 |
| 6 | Pasadena City College Pasadena, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 130 | 48% | — | — |
| 7 | Grand Valley State University Allendale, MIPublicBachelor's | 124 | 67% | — | $49,494 |
| 8 | Bakersfield College Bakersfield, CAPublicAssociate's | 115 | 21% | — | — |
| 9 | City College of San Francisco San Francisco, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 114 | 40% | — | — |
| 10 | Moorpark College Moorpark, CAPublicAssociate's | 87 | 44% | — | — |
| 11 | Fullerton College Fullerton, CAPublicAssociate's | 78 | 34% | — | — |
| 12 | Mt San Jacinto Community College District San Jacinto, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 74 | 36% | — | — |
| 13 | Los Angeles Valley College Valley Glen, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 61 | 32% | — | — |
| 14 | Rowan University Glassboro, NJPublicBachelor's | 60 | 67% | — | — |
| 15 | Riverside City College Riverside, CAPublicAssociate's | 57 | 37% | — | — |
| 16 | College of the Sequoias Visalia, CAPublicAssociate's | 56 | 39% | — | — |
| 17 | Clovis Community College Fresno, CAPublicAssociate's | 53 | 45% | — | — |
| 18 | Lewis University Romeoville, ILPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 50 | 67% | $17,632 | $45,831 |
| 19 | Saddleback College Mission Viejo, CAPublicAssociate's | 49 | 48% | — | — |
| 20 | Santa Monica College Santa Monica, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 48 | 36% | — | — |
| 21 | University of Akron Main Campus Akron, OHPublicBachelor's | 46 | 52% | — | $34,073 |
| 22 | Roberts Wesleyan University Rochester, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 43 | 67% | $22,729 | — |
| 23 | Citrus College Glendora, CAPublicAssociate's | 42 | 41% | — | — |
| 24 | West Valley College Saratoga, CAPublicAssociate's | 42 | 51% | — | — |
| 25 | CUNY Hunter College New York, NYPublicMaster'sMaster's | 42 | 57% | — | — |
| 26 | Daemen University Amherst, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 41 | 59% | $16,826 | — |
| 27 | Southwestern College Chula Vista, CAPublicAssociate's | 40 | 35% | — | — |
| 28 | Cuesta College San Luis Obispo, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 39 | 48% | — | — |
| 29 | Evergreen Valley College San Jose, CAPublicAssociate's | 39 | 41% | — | — |
| 30 | Indiana University of Pennsylvania Indiana, PAPublicBachelor's | 39 | 56% | — | $44,121 |
| 31 | University of Denver Denver, COPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert.Master's | 37 | 76% | $29,726 | — |
| 32 | CUNY Queens College Queens, NYPublicMaster'sMaster's | 36 | 53% | — | — |
| 33 | Ashland University Ashland, OHPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 35 | 61% | $21,785 | $35,709 |
| 34 | University of Nebraska at Omaha Omaha, NEPublicBachelor's | 33 | 47% | — | $37,998 |
| 35 | Arkansas State University Jonesboro, ARPublicPost-degree cert. | 31 | 55% | — | — |
| 36 | Butte College Oroville, CAPublicAssociate's | 31 | 45% | — | — |
| 37 | Northwestern College Orange City, IAPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert. | 29 | 66% | $22,419 | — |
| 38 | Towson University Towson, MDPublicBachelor's | 28 | 69% | — | $53,331 |
| 39 | Foothill College Los Altos Hills, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 27 | 56% | — | — |
| 40 | Golden West College Huntington Beach, CAPublicAssociate's | 27 | 49% | — | — |
| 41 | Norco College Norco, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 27 | 42% | — | — |
| 42 | Oxnard College Oxnard, CAPublicAssociate's | 26 | 34% | — | — |
| 43 | Mercyhurst University Erie, PAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 26 | 60% | $25,987 | $46,636 |
| 44 | Woodland Community College Woodland, CAPublicAssociate's | 26 | 43% | — | — |
| 45 | College of the Desert Palm Desert, CAPublicAssociate's | 25 | 31% | — | — |
| 46 | MiraCosta College Oceanside, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 23 | 41% | — | — |
| 47 | San Jose City College San Jose, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 22 | 34% | — | — |
| 48 | The University of Arizona Global Campus Chandler, AZPublicBachelor's | 22 | 11% | $26,445 | — |
| 49 | Harding University Searcy, ARPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sMaster's | 21 | 69% | $19,423 | — |
| 50 | Henderson State University Arkadelphia, ARPublicMaster's | 21 | 37% | — | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Special Education and Teaching field (CIP 13.10) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 32 states & territories
Where Education/Teaching of Individuals in Early Childhood Special Education Programs graduates come from. Each state links to all Special Education and Teaching programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 25-2051, Special Education Teachers, Preschool, and its national outlook.
Graduates of this program typically pursue careers as Special Education Teachers for preschoolers or as Education Teachers at the postsecondary level. The job outlook for this field shows little or no change, with an annual opening of approximately 2,100 positions and a median wage of $62,190, usually requiring a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 13.1015
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Special Education Teachers, Preschoolprimary SOC 25-2051 | $64,830 | +1.4% Little or no change | ~2,100 | Bachelor's degree |
Education Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1081 | $75,350 | +2.1% About as fast as average | ~5,600 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Education/Teaching of Individuals in Early Childhood Special Education Programs programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Employ special educational strategies or techniques during instruction to improve the development of sensory- and perceptual-motor skills, language, cognition, or memory.
- Teach socially acceptable behavior, employing techniques such as behavior modification or positive reinforcement.
- Communicate nonverbally with children to provide them with comfort, encouragement, or positive reinforcement.
- Teach basic skills, such as color, shape, number and letter recognition, personal hygiene, or social skills, to preschool students with special needs.
- Develop individual educational plans (IEPs) designed to promote students' educational, physical, or social development.
- Confer with parents, administrators, testing specialists, social workers, or other professionals to develop individual education plans (IEPs).
Tools and technology used
Other Special Education and Teaching specializations
The 17 other 6-digit CIP codes under Special Education and Teaching (CIP 13.10).
- Special Education and TeachingCIP 13.100122,668 graduates / yr664 institutions
- Education/CIP 13.1017
Teaching of Individuals in Elementary Special Education Programs 1,718 graduates / yr70 institutions - Education/CIP 13.1007
Teaching of Individuals with Multiple Disabilities 1,466 graduates / yr28 institutions - Special Education and TeachingCIP 13.10991,365 graduates / yr82 institutions
- Education/CIP 13.1013
Teaching of Individuals with Autism 1,077 graduates / yr74 institutions - Education/CIP 13.1004
Teaching of the Gifted and Talented 506 graduates / yr54 institutions - Education/CIP 13.1019
Teaching of Individuals in Secondary Special Education Programs 492 graduates / yr39 institutions - Education/CIP 13.1011
Teaching of Individuals with Specific Learning Disabilities 470 graduates / yr41 institutions - Education/CIP 13.1012
Teaching of Individuals with Speech or Language Impairments 344 graduates / yr13 institutions - Education/CIP 13.1003
Teaching of Individuals with Hearing Impairments Including Deafness 251 graduates / yr32 institutions - Education/CIP 13.1009
Teaching of Individuals with Vision Impairments Including Blindness 204 graduates / yr14 institutions - Education/CIP 13.1005
Teaching of Individuals with Emotional Disturbances 147 graduates / yr22 institutions - Education/CIP 13.1014
Teaching of Individuals Who are Developmentally Delayed partial data101 graduates / yr8 institutions - Education/CIP 13.1006
Teaching of Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities 62 graduates / yr12 institutions - Education/CIP 13.1008
Teaching of Individuals with Orthopedic and Other Physical Health Impairments partial data55 graduates / yr4 institutions - Education/CIP 13.1018
Teaching of Individuals in Junior High/ Middle School Special Education Programs partial data36 graduates / yr7 institutions - Education/CIP 13.1016
Teaching of Individuals with Traumatic Brain Injuries limited data29 graduates / yr2 institutions
Common questions
What is the focus of this program?+
The program focuses on teaching and providing educational services to infants and preschool-aged children with special learning needs.
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
Students can earn an Associate's degree, Bachelor's degree, Master's degree, or a shorter award of at least 12 weeks.
What skills will I learn?+
You will learn skills such as active listening, critical thinking, and effective communication, essential for working with special needs children.
What is the job outlook for graduates?+
The job outlook is stable, with about 2,100 annual openings and a median wage of $62,190.
What is the CIP code for Education/Teaching of Individuals in Early Childhood Special Education Programs?+
Education/Teaching of Individuals in Early Childhood Special Education Programs is CIP 13.1015 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Special Education and Teaching (CIP 13.10). NCES defines it as: A program that focuses on the design and provision of teaching and other educational services to infant and pre-school age children with special learning needs or disabilities, and that prepares individuals to teach such students. Includes instruction in diagnosing learning disabilities, developing individual education plans, teaching and supervising special education students, special education counseling, and applicable laws and policies.
How many institutions offer Education/Teaching of Individuals in Early Childhood Special Education Programs programs?+
154 U.S. institutions reported Education/Teaching of Individuals in Early Childhood Special Education Programs graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 32 states & territories, awarding 3,949 credentials in the year. That is 11.3% of all Special Education and Teaching graduates.
How much do Education/Teaching of Individuals in Early Childhood Special Education Programs graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Special Education Teachers, Preschool occupation, which Education/Teaching of Individuals in Early Childhood Special Education Programs most directly leads to, pays a median of $64,830 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Special Education and Teaching field report median earnings of $45,831 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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