Master of Arts (M.a.)
Early Childhood Education
Program Highlights & Benefits
Classes meet in an online format or on campus
2 year or less completion time, including holiday breaks
One course completed every 8 weeks
Transfer credits considered
Program Overview
The Master of Arts in Early Childhood Education (MA-ECE) has achieved National Recognition by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), thereby meeting standards as one of the top graduate degree programs in the country. This program prepares candidates for a variety of leadership roles in early childhood education and is relevant for early childhood teachers, administrators, public policy and advocacy specialists, and scholars. It is designed to provide candidates with a strong background in child and language development, family and community relationships, assessment, research, theory, and practice, of birth through age 8 programs within a variety of educational settings: public and private centers and schools, adult and community-based educational settings, and other for- and non-profit organizations.
The MA-ECE program does not lead to licensure but is intended for early childhood educators who have had at least two years of experience with young children. For candidates who already hold their Illinois teaching license, you can qualify for the Early Childhood Education endorsement upon completion of the program.
Program Objectives
- Strengthen theoretical understandings of early childhood education and increase knowledge of child development, with emphasis on the young child from birth through age 8.
- Increase awareness of partnerships with children’s families and communities.
- Understand child observation, documentation, and other forms of assessment are central to the practice of all early childhood education.
- Strengthen understanding and use of a wide array of developmentally appropriate approaches, instructional strategies, and tools to connect with children and families and positively influence each child’s development and learning.
- Increase knowledge of academic disciplines to design, implement and evaluate experiences that promote positive development and learning for each and every young child.
- Develop skills in administration and organization of early childhood education programs as they engage in and advocate for children and the profession.
- Participate in a variety of field experiences to develop knowledge, skills and professional dispositions necessary to promote the development and learning of young children across the entire developmental period of early childhood education.
Areas of Study
| Course Number | Title | Hours |
| ECE 6100* | EC Curriculum and Content, Ages 3 – 5 | 3 |
| ECE 6105* | Observation and Assessments | 3 |
| ECE 6320* | Child Development and Ethics in ECE | 3 |
| ECE 6120 | Developmentally Effective Instruction for Diverse Learners | 3 |
| ECE 6110 | School Age Curriculum, Ages 6 – 8 | 3 |
| ECE 6115* | Infant and Toddler Curriculum | 3 |
| ECE 6170 | Professional Leadership and Advocacy in EC Education | 3 |
| ECE 6160* | Child, Family and Multicultural Community | 3 |
| ECE 6190 | Practicum and Research in Early Childhood Education | 3 |
| ECE 6180* | Trends and Issues in EC Education | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 30 |
Endorsement Process
*Six courses fulfill the State of Illinois requirement for the Early Childhood Education (PK-2) endorsement.
Master's Capstone Experience
The capstone experience for Early Childhood Education is in the Practicum and Research in Early Childhood Education course. In the capstone course candidates will demonstrate proficiency on all National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) advanced standards by designing a culminating project. This culminating project allows candidates to demonstrate their proficiency, knowledge, and skills in child development, family and community relationships, assessment, developmentally appropriate practices, leadership, and advocacy as they experience teaching and learning with young children from birth through age 8 in various early childhood settings.
NOTE: This is only an introduction of the program. You are responsible to review the Graduate Catalog for program details.
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