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Long known as a leader in initiating formal academic programs in early childhood education, the Mills College School of Education offers specialized graduate study in four fields of child development:
Early Childhood Education
Leadership in Early Childhood
Child Life in Hospitals
Early Childhood Special Education
We also offer a master’s degree in infant mental health, an interdisciplinary degree offered in collaboration with the Mills Psychology Department.
An integral part of the Early Childhood Education Program, the Mills College Children's School provides an on-campus laboratory school environment in which graduate students gain firsthand experience in teaching and research.
Please see requirements for information about admission and degree/credential requirements.
Early Childhood Education
The master's degree in education with an emphasis in early childhood education provides graduate students with a strong foundation in early childhood education theory and practice with the opportunity to focus on one of two areas of specialization: early childhood development and teaching or early childhood administration and policy. These programs allow students to pursue a variety of interests within the field, including teaching, administration, public policy, research, and preparation for more advanced doctoral work. Graduates of this program administer child development programs, operate their own schools for young children, work with public and private agencies to establish and evaluate childcare or preschool programs, and teach in community colleges and adult education. Many graduates pursue doctoral degrees leading to research, writing, teaching, and other forms of professional leadership.
Students may also earn a multiple subjects credential with an early childhood emphasis. This program prepares students to teach in any self-contained K–12 classroom, but is aimed at those interested in teaching young children. The credential preparation work is completed in conjunction with the master’s degree in early childhood education or in child life. Information about the requirements for a multiple subjects credential may be found at Teachers for Tomorrow’s Schools.
For additional information see the
Early Childhood Education and Infant Mental Health Graduate Programs Handbook.
Leadership in Early Childhood
The master's degree in education with an emphasis in leadership in early childhood is a 14-month program for professionals currently working in early childhood or related fields. This groundbreaking program is designed to address the urgent need for experienced leaders in the early childhood field, particularly critical in the ethnically and linguistically diverse state of California. The Mills College School of Education trains early childhood and allied professionals to become policy makers, program administrators, agency directors, college professors, and advocates on behalf of our children.
The curriculum is rooted in a philosophy of developmentally appropriate practice and includes a strong foundation in child development theory, policy and systems analysis, current issues in early childhood, adult supervision, administrative/fiscal practices, and family and community diversity. Each term of the program, students participate in a highly interactive Leadership Seminar that strengthens critical thinking skills and leadership development while providing a supportive learning community of students and instructors. Through individual and peer reflection, research, and project development, students gain insight into their own leadership strengths, enhance their skills as emerging leaders, and graduate prepared to assume a variety of leadership roles in policy and program development, administration, and teacher preparation.
Students in this program earn the master's degree through evening and weekend classes. Starting in May each year, the program begins with a summer term, continues through Fall and Spring semesters, and concludes in a final summer term. Students interested in the EdD complete the master's degree program followed by another two to three years of advanced study and research. All students take a field placement during the course of the program. Through experience and critical reflection, students gain an understanding of the complex issues in the early childhood field.
For additional information see the Leadership in Early Childhood Handbook.
Child Life in Hospitals (and Community Health Centers)
The master's degree in education with an emphasis in child life prepares graduate students to work with children in hospitals or in community agencies providing services to children and families with medical needs. This program offers a unique focus within the Early Childhood Education Program for students who have special interests in chronically ill children. Students help kids to play, make decisions, have a sense of autonomy, express feelings, interact socially, and understand their illness or disability in order to cope effectively. Graduates of this program are often professionally employed in hospitals, clinics, and community health settings. Many graduates also continue their graduate studies in doctoral programs in research writing, teaching, and other forms of professional leadership.
For additional information see the
Child Life in Hospital Program Fieldwork Experience Handbook.
Early Childhood Special Education:
Master’s Degree and Specialist Credential
The master's degree in early childhood education combined with the specialist credential provides students with academic preparation and training for work with infants and young children with developmental disabilities and their families in early intervention and preschool special education settings.This specialist credential in early childhood special education enables early childhood teachers to work in preschool special education classrooms and/or in early intervention centers providing educational services to young children.
For additional information see the
Early Childhood Special Education Student Teaching Handbook.
The Mills College Children's School
The Mills College Children’s School—the oldest laboratory school for teacher preparation in the West—has a dual mission of training early childhood education professionals and providing quality education to infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and kindergarten-through-fifth-grade students.
Graduate students in the early childhood education programs have the unique opportunity to use the classrooms of the Children’s School for research and study under the guidance of experienced master teachers. The teachers and administrators of the school present workshops, classes, and scholarly research as part of the laboratory's role in expanding knowledge of learning and teaching.
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