Project Natural Beginnings FAQ’s

•  What is Project Natural Beginnings?

Project Natural Beginnings, Personnel Preparation for early Childhood Special Educators, is a Master’s degree program in Special Education with a specialization in Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE).  It will prepare students to serve young children with disabilities, their families, and communities in natural, inclusive, and diverse environments.  Graduates will be able to add on an Endorsement on Pre-K Disabilities and the Infant/Toddler Developmental Specialist (ITDS) Certificate in the State of Florida through Child Medical Services (CMS). 

• What is the cohort structure of Project Natural Beginnings?

Twenty-two (22) students will be accepted into cohort 1 of Project Natural Beginnings in the Fall 2009 and will graduate in Summer 2011. Twenty one (21) students will be accepted into cohort 2 of Project Natural Beginningsduring the Fall 2011 and will graduate Summer 2013.

• What are the admissions requirements for the University Graduate School at Florida International University?

In order to meet the University’s graduate entrance criteria, students must have a 3.0 or higher GPA, pay the application fee, submit official transcripts from all previous colleges and universities, and three (3) professional letters of recommendation.  Students may apply online at http://gradschool.fiu.edu/admissions.html.

•  What are the program requirements for Project Natural Beginnings?

In order to apply for Project Natural Beginnings, you must have a Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education, a 3.0 cumulative GPA or higher, as well as a Professional Educator’s Certificate or a letter of eligibility from the State of Florida in any area of Special Education. Upon applying for the program, you will be required to have an entrance interview with Project Personnel and/or faculty.  Once you have been accepted into the program, you will be required to have a TaskStream Electronic Portfolio and a follow the Service Obligation or Repayment regulations set by the federal government.

• What is the Service Obligation?

Once students complete their program of study, they must agree to meet the service obligation requirements or repay all or part of the amount of the scholarship. Students who receive two (2) years of support under this grant will be required to work for at least four (4) years in a special education or related setting.  Within the employment setting, the majority of the students (at least 51%) must be children with disabilities who are receiving early intervention, special education, or related services, or where the majority of your time (51%) is spent providing early intervention, special education, or related services to infants, toddlers, and children with disabilities and their families.  The service obligation must be completed no later than five (5) years from the completion of the degree program.    If you receive funding, you will be required to sign a contract/agreement letter.   Failure to teach the required four (4) years will result in your requirement to repay all funds to the federal government. 

• What does the Master’s Degree entail?

Students will receive a Master’s of Science (MS) Degree in Special Education and an Endorsement in Pre-K Disabilities.  The degree will include a 36-credit program of study focusing on research and foundations (9 credits), advanced theory and research in SPED (12 credits), a specialization in ESCE (12 credits) and a Mater’s Culminating Experience(3 credits) over the course of two (2) years on a part-time basis.  Students will take six (6) credits hours per semester and will also be required to complete field experiences in Early Steps and Pre-K SPED. 

• Are there incentives for students to be part of this program?

Students accepted into the University Graduate School and the program will receive 100% tuition support. However, students are responsible for all university fees each semester, such as parking, health, graduate application, etc.  Students will receive a $150 textbook reimbursement per year.  Students will also have the opportunity to receive Professional Student Travel Stipends to attend professional conferences. 

• What is the online course requirement?

Students will be required to complete an online course, “Fundamentals of Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Providing Care to Children with Special Needs and their Families.” This course will be offered through the Mailman Center for Child Development (MCCD) in the areas of cultural competence, family-centeredness, and self-determination.  Students will have the length of the program to complete the online modules. 

• What are the Professional Development Seminars that are required in order to complete the degree?

Students must attend four (4) Professional Development seminars that are offered by the program during their program of study.  At least one (1) seminar will be offered each semester.  These seminars are additional opportunities for graduate students to learn and explore issues related to the education of students with ASD that go beyond the program of study.  Information about each seminar will be shared with students electronically, and students who are interested in attending must RSVP with project personnel to reserve a spot. Students who successfully complete seminars receive a certificate of completion at the end of the seminar as documentation. 

• What is the Action Research Project?

Students will complete an action research project as part of a two-part course sequence.  They will be presenting their projects at the Annual Research-to-Practice Conference in the second summer of the program.  This will be considered the culminating academic experience in the program.

• What is the Research-to-Practice Conference?

This conference is a forum for networking and dissemination of best practices and current research in the field of ASD.  The Conference Conversations is an opportunity for graduate students to network and share ideas and experiences.  The Special Topics Colloquium is an opportunity for graduate students to present their research projects and reflect on newly acquired knowledge and skills. 

Project Natural Beginnings Info Sheet

(Personnel Preparation for Early Childhood Special Educators)
Principal Investigator (PI): Dr. Diana Valle-Riestra (riestrad@fiu.edu)
Graduate Assistant: Sandy Olson (solso002@fiu.edu)

• Overview
• A 4-year federally funded program awarded by the US Department of Education (USDOE) to FIU’s College of Education
• 36-credit advanced Master’s of Science (MS) degree in Special Education (SPED) with concentration in Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE)
• State of Florida Add-on Endorsement in Pre-K Disabilities
• Cohort Structure
• Cohort 1 – 22 students to begin in Fall 2009 and graduate in Summer 2011
• Cohort 2 – 21 students to begin in Fall 2011 and graduate in Summer 2013
• University Admissions Requirements
• 3.0 or higher GPA
• Application fee ($30.00)
• Official transcripts from all previous colleges and universities
• 3 professional letters of recommendation
• Apply on-line at http://gradschool.fiu.edu/admissions.html
• If you have questions about this process contact University Graduate Admissions at 305-348-7442
• Grant Program Admissions Requirements
• Bachelor’s Degree in SPED from an accredited university
• State Certification in ANY area of SPED
• Program Application and Written Statement
• Entrance Interview with Project Personnel and/or Faculty
• TaskStream Electronic Portfolio
• Service Obligation or Repayment
• Students who receive two (2) years of support under this grant will be required to work for at least four (4) years in a special education setting. Failure to teach four (4) years will result in your requirement to repay all funds to the federal government.
• Program of Study
• 36 credit program
• 2 years, part-time
• Evening courses
• Required Professional Development Seminars (4)
• On-line Course – “Fundamentals of Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Providing Care to Children with Special Needs and their Families”
• Community-based Advocacy Project and Conference Presentation
• Student Support and Incentives
• 100% Tuition Support (36 credits)
• Students are responsible for all University Fees
• Professional Student Travel Stipends
• Textbook Reimbursement (up to $150/per academic year which includes fall, spring, summer)