Early Childhood Education, M.A. and M.S.

The Early Childhood Education program offers three options. Option 1 is for students who hold a valid certificate in early childhood education; option 2 is for students who hold a valid certificate in elementary education; and option 3 is for students who hold neither a certificate in early childhood education nor a certificate in elementary education and want to pursue a certificate and Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education. Students in options 1 and 2 may pursue either a Master of Arts degree or a Master of Science degree. The Master of Arts degree requires 30 credits in course work and a 6 credit thesis; the Master of Science degree requires 36 credits in course work. Only the Master of Science degree is available for students in option 3, and requires 52 credits in course work.

Below is the program of study for the three options. All students who are pursuing a Master’s degree must complete the research and foundation course requirements and pass a comprehensive examination.

Research Course Requirement (3 credits)

EFND 506 - Educational Research and Statistics

Foundation Course Requirements (6 credits)

EFND 501 - Educational Psychology *
EFND 516 - Advanced Educational Psychology **
EFND 521 - Advanced Foundations of Education
*Not available in Options 1 and 2, but required in Option 3.
**Not available in Option 3.

Option 1

EECE 501 - The Early Childhood Professional
EECE 506 - Development of the Early Learner
EECE 511 - Assessment in Early Childhood Education
Thesis for the M. A. (6 credits)
Electives (to be chosen in consultation with mentor) (12-18 credits)

Option 2

EECE 501 - The Early Childhood Professional
EECE 506 - Development of the Early Learner
EECE 511 - Assessment in Early Childhood Education
EECE 517 - Integrated Methods: ECE Language Arts/Social Studies/Expressive Arts
ECUI 513 - Family & Community Relations
EECE 521 - Early Childhood Education Internship: Planning
EECE 522 - Early Childhood Education Internship: Instruction
EECE 523 - Early Childhood Education Internship: Classroom Management
EECE 524 - Early Childhood Education Internship: Professional Growth
Thesis for M.A. (6 credits)
Electives (to be chosen in consultation with mentor) (0-6 credits)
(Students in option 2 who are interested in early childhood certification, but not in a Master’s degree will fulfill the requirements upon successfully completing courses EECE 501 , EECE 506 , EECE 511 , EECE 516 , ERDG 506 , EECE 521 , EECE 522 , EECE 523 , and EECE 524 .)

Note: Students in option 2 must pass the Praxis Series test, Early Childhood Education, which is mandated by PDE.

Option 3

EECE 501 - The Early Childhood Professional
EECE 506 - Development of the Early Learner
EECE 511 - Assessment in Early Childhood Education
EECE 516 - Math/Science/Health Methods in ECE
EECE 517 - Integrated Methods: ECE Language Arts/Social Studies/Expressive Arts
ECUI 511 - Computer Literacy for Educators
ECUI 521 - Field Experience I
ECUI 526 - Field Experience II
ECUI 531 - Field Experience III
ECUI 513 - Family & Community Relations
ESPC 506 - Education of the Exceptional Child
EECE 521 - Early Childhood Education Internship: Planning
EECE 522 - Early Childhood Education Internship: Instruction
EECE 523 - Early Childhood Education Internship: Classroom Management
EECE 524 - Early Childhood Education Internship: Professional Growth
(Individuals in option 3 who want an early childhood education certificate, but not a Master’s degree must complete 49 credits. EFND 506 , Educational Research and Statistics, is not required.)

Note: Students in option 3 must pass all requisite Praxis Series tests, which are mandated by PDE.

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