Master of Education in Early Childhood Education
The Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Early Childhood Education is offered to professionals who aspire to develop expertise in the areas of child development, early language and literacy development and theory, and application of developmentally-appropriate practices. A primary outcome of the program is to advocate for the quality early education of children from diverse backgrounds.
Admission Requirements
- Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution in the United States or a recognized international equivalent in a similar or related field.
- Undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0. If applicant does not meet minimum undergraduate GPA criterion, GRE general test with minimum scores of 150 Verbal, 141Quantitative, and 4.0 Analytical are required for conditional admission. GRE test scores are valid for 5 years.
- Official transcripts from each institution attended (must be submitted directly to UTRGV).
- Letter of intent detailing professional goals and reasons for pursuing the graduate degree.
- Resume including educational background and work experience.
- Learn more about the program admission requirements.
Program Requirements
Required Courses | 21 |
ECED 6301: Major Theories in Early Childhood Education | 3 |
ECED 6302: Developmentally Appropriate Practices, Planning, and Curriculum | 3 |
ECED 6303: Young Multilingual Learners | 3 |
ECED 6304: Dynamics of Play and Learning in Early Childhood Education | 3 |
ECED 6305: Early Care and Education of Infants and Toddlers | 3 |
ECED 6306: Literacy in Early Childhood Education | 3 |
ECED 6307: Internship I: Special Topics in Early Childhood | 3 |
ECED 6307: Internship I: Special Topics in Early Childhood | 3 |
Professional Development: | 6 |
EDFR 6300: Research Methods in Education (required) | 3 |
EDCI 6304: Assessment of Learning | 3 |
OR | |
EPSY 6350: Introduction to Statistics | 3 |
Choose one of the following options: | |
Other Early Childhood Professionals | 9 |
ECED 6308: Children’s Literature | 3 |
ECED 6309: Internship II: Ethics and Leadership in Early Childhood Education | 3 |
EDCI 7334: Curriculum Problems and Processes | 3 |
Capstone Requirement | |
Midpoint Oral Assessment Exam | |
Written Comprehensive Exam | |
Classroom Teacher | 9 |
ECED 6308: Children’s Literature | 3 |
ECED 6309: Internship II: Ethics and Leadership in Early Childhood Education | 3 |
ECED 6310: Developmentally Appropriate Assessment | 3 |
Capstone Requirement | |
Midpoint Oral Assessment Exam | |
Written Comprehensive Exam | |
Thesis/Research | |
Capstone Requirement | |
Thesis | 9 |
EDCI 6308: Advanced Education Research | 3 |
ECED 7300: Thesis I | 3 |
ECED 7301: Thesis II | 3 |
ECED 7301: Thesis II | 3 |
Successful completion and defense of thesis | |
Midpoint Oral Assessment Exam | |
Written Comprehensive Exam | |
Total hours required for degree: | 36 |
ECED 6301: Major Theories in Early Childhood Education [3‐0]
This course will include major historical and current theoretical perspectives of early childhood education. These foundations will be used to examine special educational program models, family‐focused initiatives and curriculum development. The application of theoretical principles will be examined through group and individual projects, classroom practice, research and reflection papers.
ECED 6302: Developmentally Appropriate Practices, Planning, and Curriculum [3‐0]
This course will include the major principles of curriculum planning, organization, scope, and sequence of a constructivist model. Special emphasis will be given to research on developmentally appropriate learning materials and resources. A major portion of this course will include field‐based experiences.
ECED 6303: Young Multilingual Learners [3‐0]
This course will focus on early childhood multilingualism. The theoretical principles of native and other language acquisitions will be examined in the context of family, immigration, and community variables. The content of the course will include environments and materials that promote positive multilingualism.
Prerequisite: ECED 6301.
ECED 6304: Dynamics of Play and Learning in Early Childhood Education [3‐0]
This course is designed to increase the understanding of the important role of research, advocacy, and leadership with respect to children’s play. Theories of play and the use of play as a foundation for learning are explored. Students will learn effective methods of planning for research, teaching, and advocacy through Internet, service learning, and engaged projects on play.
ECED 6305: Early Care and Education of Infants and Toddlers [3‐0]
The course will emphasize a curricular framework that includes theory, environment, materials, methods, and practices that are developmentally appropriate for infants and toddlers. Assessment, classroom management, and lesson planning will be addressed in the context of classroom setting. Field based activities will be integrated in the course.
ECED 6306: Literacy in Early Childhood Education [3‐0]
This course will focus on a constructivist model of literacy, how early childhood teachers integrate best practices, and family literacy learning in the classroom. This course will incorporate a framework of bilingual and multilingual learners. Students will engage in individual and group projects.
Prerequisite: ECED 6301
ECED 6307: Internship I: Special Topics in Early Childhood [3‐0]
This on‐site internship will enable the student to focus on the holistic development of the young child through reflective practice, on‐site analysis of practice, and observation of instruction and environment. Inquiry into professional practice will involve extensive reflection of standards, research, and current trends in early education.
Prerequisites: ECED 6302, 6303, 6304.
ECED 6308: Children’s Literature [3‐0]
This course will focus on children’s multicultural literature. This course will cover various literacy genres and how to apply them to the classroom context. Students will evaluate children’s literature through a variety of individual and group projects. Field‐based activities may be included in the course.
Prerequisite: ECED 6301.
ECED 6309: Internship II : Ethics and Leadership in Early Childhood Education [3‐0]
Graduate students in early childhood education will work in early intervention and preschool placements. The students will gain wide range of experience in settings such as early care and education, family service centers, child mental health consultation agencies, child care resource and referral agencies, legislative offices, public benefit law firms, and charitable foundations, under the guidance of faculty and site supervisors.
ECED 6310: Developmentally Appropriate Assessment [3‐0]
The course will introduce the students to various appropriate methods in assessment. Assessment will be examined in the context of programs in Early Childhood Programs Serving Children from Birth through Age 8 focusing on age, linguistic, cultural and individual appropriateness.
ECED 7300: Thesis I [3‐0]
Students may take this course for continuation of thesis work. Registration requires approval from the student’s academic advisor.
ECED 7301: Thesis II [3‐0]
Students may take this course for continuation of thesis work. Registration requires approval from the student’s academic advisor.
EDCI 6304: Assessment of Learning [3‐0]
Students will explore the designs, constructions and administration of tests with an emphasis on achieving test validity. Student performance on teacher‐made, textbook‐ supplied or standardized tests will be analyzed to determine relevance and appropriateness for informed curricular and instructional decisions. Mandated measures of pupil performance will be investigated with particular regard to their impact on educational practice in schools.
EDCI 6307: Research, Issues and Trends in Education [3‐0] Research as well as current issues and trends within the field of education. A course designed to broaden the professional’s understanding of the impact and implications of research, controversial issues and trends both within the society and within the field of education. May be repeated for credit for maximum of nine hours when topics vary.
EDCI 6308: Advanced Educational Research [3‐0]
An examination of the role in education of the discipline or field of study selected by the student. Includes an intensive study of research findings, scholarly publications and advanced experimentation with a focus on the improvement of instruction.
EDCI 7334: Curriculum Problems and Processes [3‐0]
This course examines approaches in developing, implementing and evaluating curricula. Principles and practices in the production and use of curriculum frameworks, guides, textbooks, technologies and other curriculum materials will be included.
EDFR 6300: Research Methods in Education [3‐0]
A survey of quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods research designed to introduce students to educational research. This course will include research design, literature review, critiquing research, and action research.
EPSY 6350: Introduction to Statistics [3‐0]
The content of this course will include central tendency; variance; exploratory data analysis; normal, t, chi square and F distributions; bivariate correlation and regression analysis, t‐ test between means, goodness of fit and test of independence of chi square; one‐way, two‐way, and three‐way factorial ANOVA. There will be an emphasis on hypothesis testing; Type I and II errors; and understanding of statistical significance, and practical or functional significance/effect size.
Learn more about the Master of Education in Early Childhood Education.