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EDUCATION
Early Childhood Education |
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Program Description
The focus in this M.S. program in Early Childhood Education is on the advanced preparation of teachers and leaders in the field of Early Childhood Education. The program addresses the education of children age 3 through grade 3 by concentrating on the study of children ages 3-8 and the implications such study holds for educational practice. Those pursuing this program will be prepared as professional teachers/leaders in a variety of early childhood settings, including public and private schools (K-grade 3), Head Start programs, child development and child care centers, and other programs relating to the education of children.
Admission Requirements
An undergraduate degree in early childhood education, child development, elementary education, or a related field.
Refer to the Admissions section of the Graduate catalog for additional information on admission requirements and application procedures.
Degree Requirements
A detailed description of the M.S. degree can be found in the Degree Requirements section. The M.S. degree in Early Childhood Education is available in two options: the thesis option and the non-thesis option. The program of study is developed together with the student’s advisor (in the case of a non-thesis option) or with the student’s thesis committee (in the case of the thesis option) and consists of a minimum of 30 credit for the thesis option and 32 credits for the non-thesis option. Required and elective courses are as follows:
Major: |
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Credits
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| T&L 510 |
Early Intervention for Children with
Special Needs |
2 |
| T&L 526 |
Play in Development and Early Childhood
Education |
2 |
| T&L 527 |
Curricular Foundations in Early Childhood
Education |
3 |
| T&L 529 |
Language Development in Children |
3 |
| T&L 530 |
Foundations of Reading Instruction |
3 |
| T&L 547 |
Young Children’s Thinking |
2 |
| T&L 553 |
Collaborative Relationships:Home School,
Community |
3 |
| *Electives (thesis option) |
3-5 |
| or |
(non-thesis option) |
9 |
| T&L 997 |
Independent Study (non-thesis option)/Final
Project |
2 |
| or |
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| T&L 998 |
Thesis (thesis option) |
4-6 |
Scholarly Tools: |
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| EFR 509 |
Introduction to Educational Research |
3 |
| T&L 569 |
Action Research |
3 |
*Electives: The student will choose electives in consultation with his/her advisor or committee. Students who have not had direct experience working with young children should take T&L 580 Practicum: Early Childhood Education. If students do not have a teaching certificate, they are required to take EFR 500 Foundations of Educational Thought. Students can also take additional electives in Reading Education, Special Education, Social Work, or Educational Leadership. |
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