Master of Education

Unified Early Childhood Studies Concentration

The Unified Early Childhood Studies concentration is designed to address current practice in cognitive science, unified educational methods, and advocacy; and to develop leaders in early childhood and early childhood special education. Graduates will be prepared to develop and implement inclusive programs for infants/toddlers, pre-schoolers, and primary-aged children with and without developmental delays.

The Unified Early Childhood Studies Program is designed to facilitate the development of leaders in the field of early childhood and early childhood special education. Strong leadership will ensure positive outcomes for young children in early childhood settings.

The goals of the program are to:

1. Support teachers in facilitating the development of social, emotional and cognitive skills in young children.
2. Support teachers & administrators in the development of curriculum & environments that promotes child–centered learning.
3. Guide educational practice to support the development of social & emotional competence.
4. Support teaching practices that promotes the development of citizenship in young children.
5. Ensure that all children are given equal opportunity to learn, play & develop regardless of physical or cognitive limitations.
6. Promote positive leadership within the field of early childhood studies for the future generation of our children.

Program Delivery

Core courses are delivered in a cohort, with 20 to25 professionals moving through common courses as a group. Courses are delivered using a hybrid model. Students meet face-to-face for two days at the beginning of each semester with continued teaching and learning in an online learning community. Core courses are offered each semester, with electives primarily offered during summer sessions.  The combination of the hybrid delivery and the summer offerings is intended to allow students from rural Minnesota and surrounding states to continue full time employment while completing a degree.

Cohort members must be comfortable using online resources, including email and secure online discussion boards. Members need to have access to a computer, an internet connection and the ability to check in regularly to access assignments, forms, and other program information. Because many students will not have initial comfort with the use of technology there will be formal instruction in technology at the beginning of each cohort, and ongoing support will be available throughout the program. We strive to make use of the Internet accessible by meeting federal standards on Web site accessibility.

This comprehensive delivery method supports learners in the development of leadership skills focused on collaborative consultation, resource gathering, and applied research. As leaders, our graduates are poised to develop and support quality learning environments for all young children.

Program Requirements

Core Courses (17 credits -effective Fall 2006)

• Educ 7001, Educational Innovations and Technology (2)
• Educ 7002, Human Diversity and Exceptionality (2)
• Educ 7004, Educational Action Research and Inquiry (4)
• Educ 7006, Ethics and Professionalism in Education (2)
• Educ 7008, Foundations of Teaching and Learning: Curriculum Theory and Design (4)
• Educ 7009, Assessment of Student Learning (3)

Concentration Courses (15 credits)

• ECh 7030, Cognitive Development (4)
• ECh 7031, Critical Connections During the Early Years (3)
• ECh 7032, The Competent Child (3)
• ECh 7033, The Child as a Citizen (4)

Final Project

• A thesis that includes literature review, methodology, analysis, results, discussion, and bibliography (6 credits).