Program Overview

Program Overview

The Early Childhood Education program offers various degree options, including MEd/MS, EdS, and PhD. This program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive education in early childhood education, with a focus on teaching field courses.

Program Requirements

The program requires a minimum of 30 hours of coursework, with at least 1/3 of the program consisting of teaching field courses. The required courses include:

• CTEC 7510: Research Studies in Early Childhood Education (3 hours)
• CTEC 7520: Curriculum and Teaching in Early Childhood Education (3 hours)
• EDMD 7210: Integration of Technology Into Curriculum (3 hours)
• Select 15 hours from the following courses:
  • CTEC 7200: Early Childhood Education Perspective
  • CTEC 7210: Origins of Thought
  • CTEC 7260: Play and Early Childhood Education
  • CTEC 7270: Theory-Based Problems in Early Childhood Education
  • CTEC 7540: Evaluation of Programs in Early Childhood Education
  • CTEC 7910: Practicum in Area of Specialization (1 hour)
  • CTEC 7990: Research and Thesis (1-5 hours)
  • CTEE 7540: Evaluation of Programs in Areas of Specialization
  • Other advisor-approved courses (6000 level and above) in the teaching field

Survey of Special Education/Diversity Course

A Survey of Special Education/Diversity Course is required, which can be fulfilled by:

• RSED 6000: Advanced Survey of Exceptionality (3 hours)
• State-approved diversity course (3 hours)

Additional Courses

Students must select 3 hours of advisor-approved supporting courses (6000 level or above) that are applicable to the area of certification, such as:

• Research
• Assessment/evaluation
• Classroom management
• Pedagogy
• Human behavior/development
• Foundations
• Technology
• Teaching field

GPA Requirements

In addition to the Graduate School requirement of a cumulative 3.0 GPA on all AU courses carrying graduate credit, a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25 is required on all courses used to meet program requirements.

Course Substitutions

All substitutions for required courses must be approved using the Course Substitution Form, including transfer work. Coursework used to meet Class B certification requirements may not be used to meet requirements for Class A certification.