* Responsive Early Education for Diversity (REED) has been federally funded for 2012-2017.

* New fellowships will be available for both undergraduates and graduate students seeking this specialized preparation.

** Potential students interested in joining our Fall 2012 cohort, please visit the Admission Requirements.

The Birth through Five program is one of three undergraduate emphasis areas in the Special Education Program in the Department of Communication Sciences and Special Education in the College of Education at the University of Georgia. This program will fulfill the need to prepare beginning professionals specialized to work with all children birth through age 5 with and without disabilities. The Birth through Five program promotes inclusive, collaborative teaching practices.

We are in the approval process to add the Birth through Five Endorsement to our program to be available for graduate students at the Masters and EdS levels.

Graduates will be eligible for Georgia Birth-Five certification that is based on both Division of Early Childhood/Council for Exceptional Children (DEC) and National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) standards.  Students will earn a BSED (or graduate degree) in Special Education with an emphasis in Birth through Five.   The courses provided meet all of the standards set forth by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission for the initial certification in Birth through Five and preschool special education.

Graduates will be in field for public school teaching positions in Pre-K, kindergarten, and preschool special education. Other positions include Early Head Start, Head Start and Early Intervention (Babies Can't Wait).

Responsive Early Education for Diversity (REED) is a federal grant project that is linked to the Birth through Five program. Federal funds provide a limited number of fellowships and out of state tuition stipends for eligible candidates. Students funded must graduate during the grant period when ends summer of 2017.