Master of Education, Early Childhood Education Advanced Studies

Early childhood is about more than classroom instruction. Pursue this program to learn about elements across society that impact early childhood.

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Program Requirements

MEd Early Childhood

Early childhood is a unique time in a child’s development and it takes special skills and competencies to provide children with the grounding on which they build the rest of their education. Explore this program to find out how you can be a part of this innovative field.

This program is designed for two populations:

  1. Individuals who already hold an initial license in early childhood and who are looking for the M.Ed. This degree, in conjunction with a minimum of three years of experience as an early childhood teacher of record, can qualify teachers for professional licensure in Massachusetts.
  2. Individuals with prior experience in the field- public school, administration, early education & care, etc.- who are looking for professional development in the field.

This program does not lead to an initial teaching license in early childhood education. 

Curriculum

The advanced studies early childhood program is structured with a core cluster of courses followed by a student-selected focus strand.

Students take six core courses, 18 credits, and then choose four additional courses to make up a focus strand. Focus areas include advanced teaching, early education & care, special education, literacy in the elementary school, and emergent literacy.

Students also have the option of completing a certificate in working with English language learners or students on the autism spectrum as well.    

Class Meetings

This program is designed for students who are working full-time. All classes are offered in the evening, typically from 4:30 until 6:50, and meet once per week. 

Often classes are designed to run on a hybrid format- half face-to-face and half online. This allows us to offer two classes in the same class block. For example, you could take EEC807 and EEC808 both on Tuesday at 4:30. EEC807 would meet on week one and EEC808 would meet on week two throughout the semester. This allows students to earn six credits in one semester while only requiring one night, two and half hours, per week on campus.

Courses run fall semester- September through December, spring semester- January through May, and two semesters in the summer- May through June and July through August.  

Some summer courses are also offered in a one-week format, Monday through Friday from 8:30-4:30.

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