The Early Intervention minor provides you with the knowledge and skills needed to support children with disabilities and their families. Through a combination of coursework and hands-on experiences, you'll learn how to identify and address developmental delays, collaborate with families and professionals and promote positive outcomes for children in diverse settings.
The Early Intervention (EI) minor in the Special Education Program at ºìÐÓÊÓƵ prepares students to become highly qualified Developmental Specialists (DS) who support infants and toddlers (birth to age three) with developmental delays and disabilities—and their families. This area of practice is defined under Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
Graduates are credentialed to work in Ohio’s statewide Early Intervention system, providing family-centered, evidence-based services in homes and community settings. Completion of the EI minor qualifies graduates for the five-year Developmental Specialist (DS) credential through the Ohio Department of Children and Youth (ODCY).
Since 2013, ºìÐÓÊÓƵ has received continuous funding from the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) to support the preparation of highly skilled professionals serving infants, toddlers, and their families. Through these initiatives, over 100 professionals from special education and speech-language pathology have been prepared as Developmental Specialists, strengthening Ohio’s Early Intervention system.
ºìÐÓÊÓƵ is a state and nationally recognized leader in Early Intervention personnel preparation. For more than a decade, ºìÐÓÊÓƵ State has demonstrated excellence in preparing Developmental Specialists through strong partnerships with state agencies, Early Intervention providers, and university faculty.
The program’s evidence-based coursework, high-quality field experiences, and commitment to family-centered practice ensure graduates are well-prepared to make an immediate impact.
Through sustained OSEP funding, ºìÐÓÊÓƵ State has built a legacy of collaboration—preparing over 100 professionals from special education and speech-language pathology who now work as credentialed Developmental Specialists throughout Ohio.
Graduates of the Early Intervention program are prepared to serve in a variety of professional roles, including:
