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

Program Overview

Program Features 

  • Designed for two populations: Individuals with prior experience in the field—public school, administration, early education and care, etc.—who are looking for professional development and individuals who already hold an initial license in early childhood and are looking for the MEd. In conjunction with a minimum of three years of experience as an early childhood teacher of record, this degree can qualify teachers for professional licensure in Massachusetts.

  • Flexible course offerings:  Our courses are thoughtfully scheduled in the evenings (between 4:30 and 7 pm or 6 and 8:30 pm) on alternate weeks, enabling participants to enroll in multiple classes while only committing to one evening per week. This flexible format helps busy professionals balance their academic and personal responsibilities.

  • Time to Completion: Flexible enrollment (full or part-time) and pacing to meet participants' personal and professional needs.

  • Cohort Model: Small class sizes and cohort-based learning help to support collaborative relationships between students and faculty.

  • Faculty: Experienced, knowledgeable, and accessible faculty with extensive early childhood teaching expertise.

  • Concurrent enrollment opportunities: Certificate in Autism Spectrum Disorders; Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages; and more.

  • Graduate assistantships: Opportunities to apply for graduate assistantships, grants and scholarships. 

Curriculum 

Students of our individualized 30-credit curriculum complete 18 credits of core courses and can choose between six (6) strands*. 

Strand Options 

  • Advanced Teaching and Research 

  • Early Education and Care 

  • Early Intervention and Instruction 

  • Special Education Instruction and Support 

  • Linguistically Diverse Instruction and Support 

*Any education certificate, licensure-only program, or 4-course cluster may be substituted with approval. Candidates who choose to replace the strand with a certificate or licensure-only program must apply to that program independently of their early childhood program. Candidates who decide to replace the strand with a certificate or licensure program may exceed 30 credits in completing their degree. 

Pacing and Time Commitments

Students can select full-time or part-time plans based on work-life commitments to best meet their needs.

 

Time to Degree 

Recommended Start Time 

Credits Per Semester

Average Nights/Week

Total Credits

1-year

3 semesters

Any semester

9-12

3-4

30

Two years

6 semesters

Any semester

6

2

30

Self-paced

Varies

Any semester

3-6

1-2

30

Explore Pathways to a Career in Early Childhood Education

Salem State offers three programs that prepare participants to become licensed pre-kindergarten to second grade (PK-2) teachers in Massachusetts public schools and/or early childhood educators in various community-based settings (e.g., preschool, out-of-school time, and early intervention).

Early Childhood Education Program Options

  • MEd early childhood education initial license: for those seeking initial licensure as a PK-2 teacher in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
  • MEd early childhood education advanced studies: for those who hold an initial PK-2 teaching license and are seeking to become eligible for professional licensure, as well as individuals with prior experience in the field who are seeking further professional development.
  • Licensure only early childhood education: for those seeking initial licensure as a PK-2 teacher in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, but not a master’s degree.

If you have any questions about which program would be the best fit for you, please reach out to graduate admissions.

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