The master's degree programs in early childhood education generally require two years of study and provide options for specialization either in child life in hospitals, in early childhood education, or in early childhood special education. The curriculum includes content and theory in special areas of focus: research, history, public policy, parent education, child development, special education, and practical applications through individualized special fieldwork. Comprehensive exams include a written project (a research paper or a professional project), an oral presentation, and an oral examination at the end of the second year.

The Master of Arts in Education (MA)
with an Emphasis in Early Childhood Education
(13 semester course credits)

This two-year degree program offers the possibility of specializing in one of two strands of early childhood education. Strand 1: development and teaching. Strand 2: administration and policy. It prepares students for professional leadership in preschool, child-care services, and other programs for children and families. Other possibilities include public policy, research, adult education, and parent education. Students may prepare for professional opportunities in program development for private organizations and public agencies, and for more advanced graduate work. It is possible to complete both a master's degree and a multiple subjects credential with an emphasis in early childhood education by enrolling in the MA and ECE/DPT program. See description of multiple subjects credential with an early childhood emphasis.

Admission Requirements

Admission to the master's degree program in early childhood education requires a GPA of 3.0 or above, a course in developmental psychology or child psychology, and 40 hours of experience working with young children. In addition to the graduate application, which includes a statement of purpose, applicants must submit the Early Childhood Supplementary Application, three references, and two official copies of transcripts from all previous post-secondary institutions attended. The director of the program interviews all applicants, either in person or by phone.

Degree Requirements:

Year 1

EDUC 234 Research Methodology for Observing Children (.5)

EDUC 236 Development and Learning in Young Children (1)

EDUC 238 Social, Emotional, and Moral Development and Learning (.5)

EDUC 291A/B Theory and Practice of Early Childhood Education (1–1.5; 1–1.5)

Year 2

EDUC 227 Issues of Race and Ethnicity in Education (1)

EDUC 290 Advanced Seminar in Child Development (1)

EDUC 294A/B Graduate Seminar: Research in Education (1; 1)

If your focus is development and teaching you are required to take the following courses:

EDUC 237 Child Language Acquisition (.5)

EDUC 246 Working with Families and Community (.5)

EDUC 260 History and Theories of Play in Human Development, Culture, and Education (.5)

And an additional 4 credits from the School of Education and College offerings.

If your focus is leadership and policy you are required to take the following courses:

EDUC 401 School Leadership (1)

EDUC 404 Instructional Leadership (1)

And an additional 3.5 credits from the School of Education and College offerings.

In addition, students are encouraged to pursue their own interests, either through course work in other departments on campus or through the educational exchange with other local college campuses.

Master of Arts in Leadership in Early Childhood (MA)

Admission Requirements

In addition to solid academic skills, applicants are expected to have a minimum of five years experience related to early care and education and to have demonstrated opportunities to exercise leadership in this field. In addition to the graduate application, which includes a statement of purpose, applicants must submit the Leadership in Early Childhood Supplementary Application, three references, and two official copies of transcripts from all previous post-secondary institutions attended. Faculty members in the program will interview all applicants.

Degree Requirements:

Summer 1

EDUC 275 Field Experience (.5)

EDUC 276 Leadership in Early Childhood Seminar (.5)

EDUC 406 Fiscal and Business Services (.5)

EDUC 422 Current Issues in Early Childhood (.5)

Fall

EDUC 203 Public Policy: Children, Youth, and Family Issues (1)

EDUC 276 Leadership in Early Childhood Seminar (.5)

EDUC 290 Advanced Seminar in Child Development (1)

EDUC 426 Ethical and Moral Considerations in Educational Leadership (1)  

Spring

EDUC 238 Social, Emotional, and Moral Development and Learning (.5) or
EDUC 407 Human Resource Management (.5)

EDUC 246 OR EDUC 446 Working with Families and the Community (.5)

EDUC 275 Field Experience (.5)

EDUC 276 Leadership in Early Childhood Seminar (.5)

EDUC 421B Inquiry into Leadership: Practice into Theory I (1)

Summer 2

EDUC 275 Field Experience (.5)

EDUC 276 Leadership in Early Childhood Seminar (.5)

EDUC 412 School Law and Public Policy (.5)

EDUC 422 Current Issues in Early Childhood (.5)  

Doctor of Education in Leadership (EdD)
with an emphasis in Early Childhood

Applicants to the doctoral program in educational leadership who have an interest in early childhood education may enroll in the Leadership in Early Childhood Program during their first year of study. See description of master's program.

Admission Requirements

Candidates for the doctor of education in leadership with an emphasis in early childhood should follow the application instructions for the EdD program in educational leadership, which includes the Educational Leadership Supplementary Application, and should also submit the Leadership in Early Childhood Supplementary Application.

Degree Requirements:

Degree requirements for the doctor of education in leadership with an emphasis in early childhood are consistent with the degree requirements for the EdD in educational leadership.

The Master of Arts in Education (MA)
with an Emphasis in Child Life in Hospitals

Child life in hospitals prepares students to work with children in medical and community settings. The curriculum includes content and theory in the special areas integrated with hospital and community observation and field practica.

Admission Requirements

Admission to the master's degree program in early childhood education requires a GPA of 3.0 or above, a course in developmental psychology or child psychology, and 100 hours of hospital volunteer work in pediatrics working with young children. In addition to the graduate application, which includes a statement of purpose, applicants must submit the Early Childhood Supplementary Application, three references, and two official copies of transcripts from all previous post-secondary institutions attended. The director of the program interviews all applicants, either in person or by phone.

Degree Requirements:

EDUC 231 Assessment and Intervention for Children with Special Needs (1)

EDUC 236 Development and Learning in Young Children (1)

EDUC 238 Social, Emotional, and Moral Development and Learning (.5)

EDUC 242 The Hospitalized Child (1)

EDUC 253 Administering Early Childhood Programs (.5)

EDUC 254 Medical Information: Children in Hospitals and Clinics (.5)

EDUC 255 Children with Special Needs: Infants and Young Children (1) or
EDUC 214 Diversity in Children with Special Needs: Cultural and Family Systems (.5)

EDUC 256 Topics in Child Health and the Exceptional Child (.5)

EDUC 260 History and Theories of Play in Human Development, Culture, and Education (.5)

EDUC 263 Administrative Practicum in Early Childhood Programs (.5–1)

EDUC 273A/B Field Experience in Child Life in Hospitals (1; 1)

EDUC 291A/B Theory and Practice of Early Childhood Education (1–1.5; 1–1.5)

EDUC 294A/B Graduate Seminar: Research in Education (1; 1)

PSYC 080 Adolescence (1) or
PSYC 142 Attachment and Loss (1) or
PSYC 265 Infancy (1)

In addition, one of the following courses is required:

ANTH 172 Alternative Medicine (1)

SOC 142 Medical Sociology (1)

SOC 147 Social Aspects of Cancer (1)

SOC 148 Sociology of Death and Dying (1)

Optional:

ANTH 130 Ethnicity, Race, and Child Development (1)

EDUC 203 Public Policy: Children, Youth, and Family Issues (1)

EDUC 214 Diversity in Children with Special Needs: Cultural and Family Systems (.5)

EDUC 246 Working with Families and the Community (.5)

EDUC 255 Children with Special Needs: Infants and Young Children (1)

EDUC 258 Early Childhood Curricula for Children with Special Needs (.5)

PSYC 142 Attachment and Loss (1)

Early Childhood Special Education Credential Program

Students can earn both the Preliminary Level I and the Professional Level II credentials. These credentials enable teachers to provide educational services to children from birth to kindergarten who are eligible for early intervention or special education. It can be earned only with a master's degree in education with an emphasis in early childhood education or child life in hospitals. Students interested in the early childhood special education credential must complete a master's degree in either child life or early childhood education.

Admission Requirements

Admission to the early childhood special education credential program requires a GPA of 3.0 or above, a course in developmental psychology or child psychology, and 40 hours of work with young children. In addition to the graduate application, which includes a statement of purpose, applicants must submit the Early Childhood Supplementary Application, three references, and two official copies of transcripts from all previous post-secondary institutions attended. All portions of the CBEST must be passed prior to enrollment in August; at the time of application, we will accept either documentation of passing scores or indication of registered test dates prior to July. The director of the program interviews all applicants, either in person or by phone.

Credential Requirements

Preliminary Level I Credential:

EDUC 214 Diversity in Children with Special Needs: Cultural and Family Systems (.5)

EDUC 231 Assessment and Intervention for Children with Special Needs (1)

EDUC 236 Development and Learning in Young Children (.5)

EDUC 237 Child Language Acquisition (.5) or
EDUC 238 Social, Emotional, and Moral Development and Learning (.5)

EDUC 242 The Hospitalized Child (1)

EDUC 253 Administering Early Childhood Programs (.5)

EDUC 254 Medical Information: Children in Hospitals and Clinics (.5)

EDUC 255 Children with Special Needs: Infants and Young Children (1)

EDUC 256 Topics in Child Health and the Exceptional Child (.5)

EDUC 258 Early Childhood Curricula for Children with Special Needs (.5)

EDUC 260 History and Theories of Play in Human Development, Culture, and Education (.5)

EDUC 263 Administrative Practicum in Early Childhood Programs (.5)

EDUC 275A/B Field Experience and Seminar in Early Childhood Settings (1; 1)

EDUC 291A/B Theory and Practice of Early Childhood Education I/II (.5–1.5; .5–1.5)

EDUC 294A/B Graduate Seminar: Research in Education (1; 1)

EDUC 379 Teaching Language Arts and Literature in the Primary Grades (1)

PSYC 265 Infancy (1)

Note: EDUC 313 Introduction to Computers in Education (.5) can also be taken in level II if not taken in level I. Also, one level II course can be taken in level I.

In addition to the above courses, one of the following courses is required for child life students:

ANTH 172 Alternative Medicine (1)

ANTH 175 Medical Anthropology (1)

SOC 142 Medical Sociology (1)

SOC 147 Social Aspects of Cancer (1)

SOC 148 Sociology of Death and Dying (1)

Professional Level II Credential:
(3.5 semester course credits)

At this level, each student develops an individual induction plan in consultation with the advisor. This requires enrollment in special education pre- and post-induction planning seminars for .25 credit each, and the following courses:

EDUC 203 Public Policy: Children, Youth, and Family Issues (1)

EDUC 277 Special Education Pre-Induction Seminar (.25)

EDUC 278 Special Education Post-Induction Seminar (.25)

EDUC 352 English Language Development and Content Instruction Methods—Multiple Subjects (1)

EDUC 401 School Leadership (1)