Graduate programs

Early Childhood Education M.A./M.S.

This innovative early childhood education program emphasizes educating professionals to welcome multiple perspectives, engage all members of the community, experiment and build theories, make learning and listening visible, and think deeply together for all children. In the field of early childhood today, educators are working with children with differing abilities and strengths. Knowledge of inclusive early childhood education and accompanying practices are necessary to foster education for all children. Students who complete the program will have a choice of four specialty areas.

The four specialty areas include: Constructivism in Early Childhood, Early Childhood Special Education, Infant Toddler Mental Health, and a Distributed Focus that draws from the other three specializations. Students will participate in three courses that were jointly developed by CI and SPED faculty and have a distinct focus on inclusive education.

 

General requirements

Core Courses

ECED 550Foundations in Early Childhood and Inclusive Education

4

ECED 551Child Development in Early Childhood and Inclusive Education

4

ECED 553Issues in Early Childhood and Inclusive Education

4

CI 590Action Research Proposal

3

CI 591Action Research Implementation

3

Electives

Adviser approved electives taken within the College of Education

9

Total Credit Hours:27

Constructivism

Courses

ECED 571Play: Curriculum in Early Childhood Education

3

ECED 573Assessment and Technology in Early Childhood Education

3

ECED 576Equity and Cultural Diversity in Early Childhood Education

3

ECED 577Learning Designs: Early Childhood Environments

3

ECED 578Constructivist Curriculum: Big Ideas in Early Childhood Education

3

 

ECED 579Young Child as Scientist

3

or

ECED 572Language and Literacy in Early Childhood Education

3

Total Credit Hours:18

Early Childhood Special Ed

Courses

SpEd 510Inclusive Early Childhood Models

3

SpEd 520Collaboration I: Families and Community - EL and EI/SE

3

SpEd 580Introduction to Early Intervention/Early Childhood Special Education

3

SpEd 582Specialized Techniques: Early Intervention/Early Childhood Special Education

3

SpEd 583Communication and Language Development: EI/SE (Early Intervention/Early Childhood Special Education)

3

SpEd 586Instructional Strategies II: EI/SE

3

Total Credit Hours:18

Infant Toddler Mental Health

Courses

SpEd 587Introduction to Infant Toddler Mental Health

3

or

Another course with advisor approval

3

 

Coun 520Collaborative Partnerships to Support Infants and Toddlers

1-3

ECED 585Dynamic Models of Infant/Toddler Development

3

SpEd 594Assessment Methods and Classification in Infant Mental Health

3

SpEd 595Prevention and Intervention in Infant Mental Health

3

Coun 597Strengths, Risk Factors, and Disturbance in Infants, Toddlers, and Their Families

3

Total Credit Hours:18

Distributed Focus

Take a minimum of two courses from each strand with approval of adviser.
Total Credit Hours:18