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The York University Online Fall B 2024 session begins on 10/21/24! Apply here by 10/16/24.

Master's of Education in Early Childhood Education

Program Overview

Reach the next level and expand your horizons with a Master of Arts in Education.  Designed for adult learners with either a bachelor’s degree or a background in education, this fully accredited, affordable graduate degree is offered 100% online.  Advance your career and skill set while maintaining balance in other areas of your life.

The Master of Arts in Education with a concentration in Early Childhood Education (ECE) is a state-approved program that prepares teachers for an Early Childhood Education supplemental endorsement that can be added to an initial elementary teaching license through the Nebraska Department of Education. Candidates can become certified to teach children from pre-kindergarten to third grade. This program prepares candidates to work with young children and their families in a diverse learning environment. Early Childhood Education candidates are prepared to build positive relationships with children while effectively partnering with families and communities, while incorporating diversity and differences of children. Candidates will learn best practices and instructional strategies for assisting young children in their growth and development. The graduate candidate will learn to implement effective pedagogy, instructional strategies, classroom management skills, and technology for a collaborative learning environment for preschool to third grade. This licensure pathway is highly rewarding to one's personal life and the families in the community.

If you have a calling to make a difference in the lives of young children and families, this program is for you!

If you have questions about the Early Childhood Education Master's or would like to schedule an informational meeting, please contact our team at online@york.edu.

 

Department Outcomes

Our goals/outcomes for graduates of the Master of Arts in Education degree program:

  1. The graduate candidate will apply ethical principles in professional settings.
  2. The graduate candidate will evaluate multiple approaches in educational programs in a professional context and communicate effective change.
  3. The graduate candidate will use best practices to design, assess, and evaluate instruction, within the context of their educational setting.
  4. The graduate candidate will identify best practices in their teaching in an educational setting using effective learning strategies and assessments

 

Early Childhood Education Program Outcomes:

  1. The graduate candidate will demonstrate an advanced understanding of child development and the use of curriculum, observation, assessment, and documentation tools for Early Childhood environments.
  2. The graduate candidate will build positive relationships with children while effectively partnering with Early Childhood families and communities, incorporating diversity and differences of individuals. 
  3. The graduate candidate will implement effective pedagogy, instructional strategies, classroom management skills, and technology for a collaborative learning environment from preschool to third grade.

 

 

Courses

The Mater of Arts in Education is a 36-credit hour program consisting of 12 courses.  Active students may transfer up to 6 qualified credit hours toward the degree.

Core Curriculum

9 hours - each course is 3 hours

Research Design & Methodology

Research Design & Methodology

GRS 5311 - This course will provide an opportunity for participants to establish or advance their understanding of research through critical exploration of research language, ethics, and approaches. The course introduces the language of research, ethical principles and challenges, and the elements of the research process within quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods approaches. Participants will use these theoretical underpinnings to begin to critically review literature relevant to their field or interests and determine how research findings are useful in informing their understanding of their environment (work, social, local, global).

Program Planning & Evaluation

Program Planning & Evaluation

GRS 5331 - Program Planning presents an overview of the process for designing, presenting and evaluating programs in a variety of fields. This course provides instruction and practice in designing and implementing high quality programs. This essential skills learning is for York University Online professionals to build skills in the areas of program development, evaluation, and influence reporting. The course includes training on active learning, practical application, and practice in developing evaluation tools to measure program impact.

Navigating in a Diverse Society

Navigating in a Diverse Society

GRS 5341 - This course provides students with the awareness, knowledge and skills required of professional leaders, supervisors, managers, counselors, and educators if they are to be effective in a pluralistic and diverse society. This course prepares students to be multi-culturally competent. Diversity and identity issues, multicultural models and frameworks will be explored in relation to their impact on therapeutic, instructional, and supervisory relationships.

Major Curriculum

9 hours - each course is 3 hours

Major Curriculum (ECE)

The School as an Organization

The School as an Organization

MAE 5321 - The purpose of this course is to provide knowledge of organization and administrative functions within a K-12 educational setting. Specific topics include, but are not limited to, the following areas: organizational structures, school culture, bringing about change in schools, collaboration, school improvement planning, personnel, student support services, special education, school support programs and agencies, instructional support, curriculum development and professional development. The theories and principles held by a variety of authors in the area of school leadership will be explored, through the reading and presenting a review of a book on school leadership by each class member. Professional learning communities of class members will gain experience in working as a collaborative team in developing a school improvement plan to turn around a dysfunctional school.

Assessment of Learning

Assessment of Learning

MAE 6321 - In this course, students will study assessment literacy and design and develop assessments to be integrated into the learning process. Prior assessment, formative assessment, summative assessment, portfolio assessment, and performance-based assessment will be studied. Students will understand how clearly developed learning outcomes will inform the process of curriculum evaluation and revision. Effective testing and evaluation linked to course outcomes and grading policies will also be discussed.

Teachers and the Law

Teachers and the Law

MAE 5351 - Educators must have a working knowledge of the laws which help them do their job better. They must also understand the boundaries within which they work. This course will provide information based on school law that focuses on aspects of historical court cases, as well and current issues and the ever-changing legal ramifications of working in an educational setting.

Early Childhood Education

18 hours - each course is 3 hours

Header - ECE

Science of Reading

Science of Reading

MCI 6371 - The science of reading represents research that explains the cognitive and neural pathways of reading. This course will focus on the reading development of the PK-12 learner, the six essential elements of reading (phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, comprehension, and writing), as well as the effective instructional practices that support literacy development across the ages. The course will look at the application of the Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) to make data-driven decisions.

Foundations of Early Childhood Birth to 3

Foundations of Early Childhood Birth to 3

ECE 6311 - This course will provide candidates with the knowledge and skills required to understand the theories, programming, and management of an early childhood environment for children from birth to three years old. Students will examine student characteristics, developmentally appropriate practices, and interventions necessary for children with and without disabilities. Students will focus on development, learning strategies, curriculum, and assessment needs for children ages birth to three in their natural environment. A practicum in a Birth to age three setting is required for completion of this course.

Family & Community Collaboration in Early Childhood

Family & Community Collaboration in Early Childhood

ECE 6321 - An emphasis for this course will be on the family structure and community partnerships and resources that are available for families of children from prenatal to age 8. The family culture and its connection to child development and growth will equip students for the complexity of family relationships and diversity as a partner in early childhood education. Practicums in the range of Birth – 3 and PreK - Kindergarten are required to complete this course.

The Young Child: Language, Literacy, and Social Studies

The Young Child: Language, Literacy, and Social Studies

ECE 6331 - Candidates will gain knowledge and understanding of early speech patterns, language development, and early literacy standards for children from birth to kindergarten and how to incorporate social studies standards into early language development for young children. Candidates will learn how to develop, evaluate, and implement engaging instructional practices and assessments for early literacy and social studies for children in an early childhood environment. Practicums in the range of Birth – 3 and PreK - Kindergarten are required to complete this course.

The Young Child: STEAM Development & Intervention

The Young Child: STEAM Development & Intervention

ECE 6341 - This course is designed to present the most current instructional pedagogies for working with young children with and without disabilities in the areas of science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM). Students will learn how to create, evaluate, assess, and adapt quality instruction in a supportive and enriching environment for young children with diverse needs. Practicums in the range of Birth – 3 and PreK - Kindergarten are required for completion of this course.

Preschool & Kindergarten Education

Preschool & Kindergarten Education

ECE 6351 - This course is designed to prepare candidates ethically and professionally for a career in preschool and/or kindergarten education through collaborative partnerships with families and professionals. Candidates will assess the developmental characteristics and needs of preschool and kindergarten students. Candidates will learn to design a curriculum and learn how to give assessments for children aged three to five in an engaging, supportive learning environment. A practicum in the range of PreK - Kindergarten is required for completion of this course.

More courses can be found in the course catalog >>

Terms & Textbooks

You can start with ANY term!

At York University Online, you can begin your journey towards a Master of Arts in Education with a Concentration in Early Childhood Education at any term. With six 8-week terms available each academic year, you have the flexibility to start when it suits you best. Join us in shaping the future of education and make a difference in the lives of young children and families. Apply now to get started!

TERM SCHEDULE

 

No textbooks needed!

At York University Online, we prioritize accessibility and affordability. Therefore, all graduate-level courses not only eliminate the need for textbooks but also integrate free open educational resources seamlessly into the coursework, ensuring a cost-effective and enriching learning experience for all students.

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York University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. 230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500, Chicago, IL 60604. 1-800-621-7440.

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The mission of York University is to transform lives through Christ-centered education and to equip students for lifelong service to God, family and society.
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