Online Blended Early Education Specialist (BEES) Program

Prepare for a license in Early Intervention/Early Childhood Special Education

What is the Blended Early Education Specialist (BEES) Program?

The BEES Program is a 55-credit graduate-level initial teacher licensure program, taking place over 8 terms and a 21-credit Early Intervention/Special Education (EI/SE) endorsement licensure program over 6 terms. BEES is designed to fill critical shortages in early intervention/early childhood special education in rural areas of the Pacific Northwest. Upon completion, you will be qualified to provide services to infants, toddlers, and prekindergarten children, their families, and teachers and be eligible apply for Oregon licensure.

BEES follows a cohort model and features online delivery with an on-campus one-week intensive each summer and a quarterly online seminar around inclusive practice.

Who is eligible to apply? 

This program is intended for educational assistants, Head Start staff, and early education personnel serving rural areas of the Pacific Northwest.

Financial assistance available to Blended Early Education Specialist students:

• $12,000 per student scholarship for students residing outside the Portland/Vancouver metro area 

To be eligible for admission at the graduate level to PSU:

• Hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university 
• Have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 2.75 

To be eligible for admission to the Special Education Program, see Early Intervention Special Education (EISE) admission criteria.

Initial Teacher Licensure Program, Courses begin spring 2012

 BEES course schedule and course descriptions

• Applicants are required to take and pass either the CBEST, PPST, WEST-B, or Essential Academic Skills test (unless they hold a current Oregon teaching license).
• Completed required prerequisite course - Undergrad Child Development (e.g., PSU: PSY 460, UO: PSY 376, OSU: HDFS 311, EOU 330 or 430, Lane Community College: ECE 226, PCC: ECE 226)

Application deadline closed.

EI/SE Endorsement Program, Courses begin summer 2012

BEES EI/SE course schedule and course descriptions

• Persons who hold a valid Oregon EC/EL or EC/EL SPED teaching license

Application deadline is April 1, 2012. Late applications may be accepted on a space available basis. Click here for the application. The information on the admission/application web page is for the on-campus Early Intervention program. The academic requirements, application documents, and process are the same. For step 2, #2: BEES applicants will select summer 2012.

Contact info: 
Dr. Dave Allen at drallen@pdx.edu or call 1-800-547-8887 ext 55490