Department of Early Childhood Education
M.ED. Early Childhood Education
Program Description
The M.Ed.
in Early Childhood Education is an advanced degree program designed
to prepare the degree candidate for a future professional role,
to increase competence in a current career role, or to provide a
step toward further study in the field of Early Childhood Education.
It is not an initial teaching certification or licensure program,
but an opportunity for increased professional development at the
graduate level. The M.Ed. in Early Childhood Education is
recommended for practitioners in a wide range of programs for children
from birth through age eight in a variety of community settings.
Their roles may include administration, supervision, and mentoring
in early childhood programs; pre-elementary or primary grade teaching;
family/community support; early intervention; resource and referral;
program licensing; infants and toddlers specialist; as well as many
others. Guiding principles include an interdisciplinary perspective,
collaboration, mentoring, and advocacy, with a foundation of the
most current knowledge base in Early Childhood and best practice
for all young children and families.
The 33-credit program consists of seven required courses and four elective
courses, designed to provide each student with a deeper understanding of the
knowledge base in the field, while supporting individual areas of professional
specialization and academic interest. The faculty in the Department of
Early Childhood Education have developed specific courses to support students
in their professional development and in their future contributions to the
field of Early Childhood Education through their chosen career paths.
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