Master in Early Childhood Education Specialization at Ellis University

The program is designed to complement core proficiencies that are consistent across most National Board of Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) certificates. The goal of this program is to increase teachers’ abilities to engage students in effective and efficient learning experiences that produce measurable gains in student achievement.

Students will select a program with a thesis that allows a student to explore an issue in depth through empirical research and will advance students toward doctoral study or they can select a specialization that will advance their practice.

Specialization areas are Teacher as Leader, designed for teachers who continue to teach but also mentor or supervise other teachers, and Early Childhood Education, designed for teachers, supervisors, and child care workers engaged with young children.

Both degree tracks engage students in case-based and problem-based learning activities and assignments that require them to implement and integrate strategies and techniques within their own classroom and engage in inquiry that assesses the outcomes and effectiveness of their efforts.

Coursework develops from beginning to advanced levels and focuses on core competencies and engages teachers in a community of learners to share ideas and research. Depending on the degree track chosen, degree completion will require either 33 (thesis) or 39 (specialization) credit hours.

Audience

This degree program is designed for licensed, practicing PreK-12 classroom teachers and early childhood educators, who want to advance their knowledge and skills to improve their classroom practice and demonstrate their skill and qualifications as a master teacher or are seeking to advance their research skills as they study an area in the field of Education in depth.

Prerequisites

The program is open to all students who have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and who hold a current state license or credential in Early Childhood Education, Elementary and/or Middle Level Education, and/or Middle Level/Secondary Education or in Special Education. The program requires that all students in the program be practicing teachers.

Early Childhood Education Specialization

(In addition to the core courses)

Requirements (5 courses; 15 credits)

• Issues in Early Childhood Education
• Play in the Early Childhood Curriculum
• Turn on the Brain for Reading
• Mood and Learning in Early Childhood
• Capstone