MA Early Childhood Education

The Early Childhood Education (ECE) program leads to a master's degree in early childhood education. The program prepares leaders who will enrich the life experience of young children (ages birth to 8 years) and their families through a variety of professional roles.

The ECE program focuses on building and supporting learning and development of all children across inclusive settings in the natural environments where they live, grow and learn. The program emphasizes family-centered practices, culturally sustaining teaching, and is inspired by the potential of all children and families. The program draws on university resources and the clinical expertise of various professionals and early childhood partners in the community. Field experiences are a part of each course and provide an opportunity for each student to gain knowledge, abilities and dispositions while interacting with children, families, program staff and community agencies. Fieldwork experiences are designed for students to apply knowledge and practice skills in a closely supervised learning environment.

The MA in ECE includes course content in:

• language and literacy development,
• child growth and development,
• teaching and learning approaches with young children,
• learning, development and education grounded in culture, context and identity of young children,
• research methods for education,
• early childhood curriculum and program development for culturally and linguistically diverse inclusive classrooms collaborative program development and supports for children with families and communities,
• leadership of programs and early childhood professionals for practice, advocacy and social change