Graduate programs

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

This innovative early childhood education master's degree 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. Students develop a critical understanding of the role of development, diversity, and culture in the lives of young children and their families and their communities. Knowledge of inclusive early childhood ideas and practices foster the leadership necessary to ensure equity for all children.

Students have a choice of four specialty areas: Constructivism in Early Childhood, Early Childhood Special Education, Infant Toddler Mental Health, and a Distributed Pathway that draws from the other three specializations. All students will participate in core courses with a distinct focus on inclusive education and complete a culminating action research project focused on their own practice.

 

Constructivism

Courses

ECED 571Play: Curriculum in Early Childhood Education

3

ECED 573Assessment and Technology in Early Childhood Education

3

ECED 577Learning Designs: Early Childhood Environments

3

ECED 578Constructivist Curriculum: Big Ideas in Early Childhood Education

3

Six credits chosen from the following options:

ECED 526Mathematical Thinking in Early Childhood

3

ECED 529Art as Languages of Early Childhood

3

ECED 572Language and Literacy in Early Childhood Education

3

ECED 579Young Child as Scientist

3

Total Credit Hours:18

Early Childhood Special Ed

Courses

ECED 528Educational Rights and Inclusive Environments in Early Childhood

3

ECED 560Inclusive Early Childhood Models

3

SpEd 580Introduction to Early Intervention/Early Childhood Special Education

3

SpEd 581Family Guided Early Intervention

3

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

3

SpEd 587Introduction to Infant Toddler Mental Health

3

Total Credit Hours:18
Substitution for SpEd 582 may be possible with advisor approval.

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

General requirements

Core Courses

ECED 550Foundations in Early Childhood and Inclusive Education

4

or

ECED 553Contemporary Issues in Early Childhood and Inclusive Education

4

 

ECED 551Child Development and Critical Perspectives in Inclusive Early Childhood Education

4

ECED 552Social Justice and Transformative Practice in Early Childhood Inclusive Education

4

CI 590/ECED 590Action Research Proposal

3

CI 591/ECED 591Action Research Implementation

3

Total Credit Hours:18

Electives

Adviser approved electives taken within the College of Education

9

Total Credit Hours:9

Distributed Pathway

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