Early Childhood, Master of Education
Overview
The Early Childhood Program offers a Master degree in Early Childhood Education. The program is designed to serve the professional development needs of educators and child care professionals by preparing them to serve a diverse population of early childhood students and their families. The Early Childhood program offers students a broad understanding within the theoretical constructs which support practices for young children that are socially, culturally and individually appropriate. The program emphasizes a holistic view of the child and family while also valuing their role as integral to the community. The goal of the program is for graduates to develop the skills to engage in issues of advocacy with children and families.
The field of Early Childhood Education encompasses a range of professions including:
- certified teachers,
- child development specialists,
- early childhood directors,
- early childhood education coordinators,
- early childhood advocates and
- Head Start professionals.
Therefore, this degree program focuses on developing the skills and thought processes of both certified and non-certified professionals who work with young children.
Graduate Admission Categories
Unconditional Admission
For unconditional admission, applicants must have:
- an undergraduate cumulative grade point average between 2.60-2.99 or an undergraduate grade point average of 3.00 or higher for the last 60 semester credits (or 90 quarter credits), and an essay,
or - an undergraduate cumulative grade point average between 3.00-4.00 and an essay.
Conditional Admission
Applicants who do not meet the GPA requirement may be conditionally admitted and will be allowed to take program specified required coursework. Students will be unconditionally admitted after successfully completing their first semester with a grade point average of 3.0 or above and by maintaining a GPA of 3.0 or above on all A&M-San Antonio graduate courses.
Program Details
The Master of Education in Early Childhood degree requires a total of thirty six (36) graduate coursework hours. Twenty-seven hours of this degree are linked to coursework within the Early Childhood program. The degree plan includes required and optional courses offered throughout the year. Additionally, students must identify nine hours as a support or specialty field. Students may choose from either:
- Early Childhood
- Bilingual/English as a Second Language Education
- Counseling
- Educational Administration
- Reading
- Special Education
The capstone experience for the Master of Education includes two options. Students may elect to complete this degree by choosing the graduate research project or thesis option. Additional coursework may be required depending on the option selected. All students, regardless of the capstone experience option chosen, will develop an e-portfolio that documents content proficiency.
Prerequisites
Applicants to the Master in Early Childhood program should have a broad base in the following areas: Child Growth and Development, Curriculum and Instruction, Consumer Sciences or Human Ecology.
Curricula
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| EDEC 5333 | Foundations Early Childhood | 3 |
| EDEC 5315 | Advocacy | 3 |
| EDEC 5349 | Play in the Early Years | 3 |
| EDEC 5312 | Undrstnd/Value Young Child/Fam | 3 |
| EDEC 5320 | Critical Approaches to Literacy in Early Childhood | 3 |
| EDEC 5330 | Assessment Pract-Early Child | 3 |
| EDEC 5310 | Infant/Toddler/Preschool/Famly | 3 |
| II. Research Core | ||
| EDEC 5314 | Fndtns Ed Research:Early Chldh | 3 |
| EDEC 5370 | Research in Early Childhood | 3 |
| Elective Requirement | ||
| Select nine hours of electives 1 | 9 | |
| Total Credits | 36 | |
- 1
The program allows students to customize their electives in the specialty/support fields listed below to achieve their academic/career endeavors.
- Bilingual/English as a Second Language
- Counseling
- Educational Administration
- Special Education
- Reading
- Thesis Credits (when electing the Thesis Option)
This suggested plan of study is intended to be used as a guide in conjunction with official degree requirements outlined in the catalog.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Credits | |
| EDEC 5333 | Foundations Early Childhood | 3 |
| EDEC 5349 | Play in the Early Years | 3 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| EDEC 5310 | Infant/Toddler/Preschool/Famly | 3 |
| EDEC 5320 | Critical Approaches to Literacy in Early Childhood | 3 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Third Semester | ||
| Additional Elective 1 | 3 | |
| Additional Elective 1 | 3 | |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Second Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| EDEC 5314 | Fndtns Ed Research:Early Chldh | 3 |
| Credits | 3 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| EDEC 5370 | Research in Early Childhood | 3 |
| EDEC 5312 | Undrstnd/Value Young Child/Fam | 3 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Third Semester | ||
| Additional Elective 1 | 3 | |
| Credits | 3 | |
| Third Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| EDEC 5315 | Advocacy | 3 |
| EDEC 5330 | Assessment Pract-Early Child | 3 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Total Credits | 36 | |
- 1
Note: The program allows students to customize their 9 electives in the specialty/support fields listed below to achieve their academic/career endeavors.
- Bilingual/English as a Second Language
- Counseling
- Educational Administration
- Special Education
- Reading
- Thesis Credits (when electing the Thesis Option)