master of arts in early childhood education
The Early Childhood Education Program provides 3 specializations within the Master of Arts degree: Curriculum and Instruction, Supervision and Leadership, and Montessori Early Childhood Education.
Curriculum and Instruction Specialization (30 units)
The Master of Arts degree in Early Childhood Education with a specialization in Curriculum and Instruction prepares students to teach in high quality early childhood programs. It is based on several theoretical models and the guidelines set by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) for developmentally and culturally appropriate practice. Upon completion of this master’s degree program, students may be qualified to apply for the California Child Development Permits through the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.
| Specialization Courses (13 units) | Units | |
| EDUC 210 | Learning & Development | 3 |
| ECE 263 | Mathematics: Conceptual Learning | 3 |
| ECE 264 | Language and Reading Development | 3 |
| ECE 265 | Curriculum Foundations | 4 |
| Elective Courses (8 units minimum - Requires approval of program director or advisor. Should be related to major area of interest and/or thesis or synthesis project topic.) | ||
| ECE 231 | Positive Discipline & Classroom Management | 2 |
| ECE 258 | Early Education Foundations | 3 |
| ECE 310 | Advanced Field Observation in ECE | 2 |
| ECE 340 | Advanced Supervised Field Experience | 3-4 |
| ECE 266 | Study of the Sciences | 3 |
| ECE 267/8 | Creative Arts I and/or II | 1 |
| MONT 261 | Philosophical Perspectives | 3 |
| MONT 263 | Elementary Mathematics | 3 |
| MONT 264 | Elementary Language, Reading & Writing | 3 |
| EDUC 273 | Mainstreaming: Diversity in the Classroom | 1-3 |
| Research Courses (9 units) | Units | |
| EDUC 572 | Research Seminar I | 3 |
| EDUC 582 | Research Seminar II | 3 |
| EDUC 592 or EDUC 597 |
Thesis or Synthesis Project s |
3 |
Supervision and Leadership Specialization (30 units)
The Master of Arts degree in Early Childhood Education with a specialization in
Supervision and Leadership is open to students who have at least two years of
teaching experience. The program prepares candidates to assume leadership
positions, such as program directors and site supervisors. Graduates of this master's
degree program may be qualified to apply for the highest levels of the California
Child Development Permit: “Site Supervisor and Program Director.”
| Specialization Courses (13 units) | Units | |
| EDUC 210 | Learning & Development | 3 |
| EDUC 244 | Staff Development & Parent Education | 3 |
| ECE 231 | Positive Discipline & Classroom Management | 2 |
| ECE 560 | Administration & Program Design | 3 |
| ECE 541 | Assessment in ECE | 1 |
| EDUC 273 | Mainstreaming: Diversity in the Classroom | 1 |
| Elective Courses (8 units minimum - Requires approval of program director or advisor. Should be related to major area of interest and/or thesis or synthesis project topic.) | ||
| ECE 258 | Early Education Foundations | 3 |
| ECE 310 | Advanced Field Observation in ECE | 2 |
| ECE 340 | Advanced Supervised Field Experience | 3-4 |
| ECE 267/268 | Creative Arts I and/or II | 1 |
| MONT 261 | Philosophical Perspectives | 3 |
| MONT 287 | Montessori Overview | 2 |
| MSTE 223 | Technology in the Classroom | 1 |
| MSTE 275 | Health Education | 1 |
| Research Courses (9 units) | Units | |
| EDUC 572 | Research Seminar I | 3 |
| EDUC 582 | Research Seminar II | 3 |
| EDUC 592 or EDUC 597 |
Thesis or Synthesis Project s |
3 |
Note: Passing the Writing Proficiency Exam (WPE) is required for unconditional acceptance to this graduate degree program and is a prerequisites to EDUC 572 (Research Seminar I). Therefore, all master's degree students are advised to pass the WPE in the first semester of their graduate coursework.
