Through online courses and a teaching practicum, you will learn educational methods that emphasize young children in the context of their family, gender, culture, and community. The online MS in Early Childhood Education program combines theory and research with practical experience. You will begin with the belief that the child is a born learner. Therefore, as a teacher, you must be a careful and open-minded observer who develops curriculum with the child in mind.As a graduate of the online master’s program, you will have advanced skills and knowledge to encourage the child’s natural curiosity and exploration of the environment; develop an understanding of human diversity and recognize its value in a community of learners; create supportive and productive learning environments for children, teachers, parents, and support staff; integrate knowledge about children with special needs into curriculum and program development; be reflective in your approach to teaching and leadership.
Total Credits Required
33 Semester Hours
Prerequisites
Education
Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in early childhood education, child development, elementary education, or a related field. An undergraduate GPA of 2.75 overall or a GPA of 3.00 in the last two years of your undergraduate program.
Teacher's Certificate
Teacher certification or appropriate background if non-certified.
Delivery Method
OnLine
Live class sessions over the internet. Web-conferences with instructors and other students.
Specific Technology Requirements
Computer
Minimum required for most classes: 512 MB RAM, 1024x768 monitor resolution. PC: 1 GHz or higher, Windows 2000, XP, Vista. Mac: G3 or higher, OS 10.2 or higher.
Internet Access
DSL/Cable connection; Internet Explorer 6.0 or newer, Netscape Navigator 7.1 or newer, AOL9 or newer, Mozilla Firefox 1.0.3 or newer, Safari 1.1 or newer.
E-Mail
E-mail address required.
Software
Word Processing Software (Microsoft Word recommended), Adobe Flash Player, Adobe Acrobat Reader version 7 or newer, Real Video Player, Apple QuickTime, PowerPoint Viewer (if you do not have Microsoft PowerPoint), Word Viewer (if you do not have Microsoft Word)
Contact
Name
Dr. Glenn Olsen, Professor in Teaching and Learning Department
If you do not meet the admission standards, you may be admitted on a provisional basis with continued enrollment contingent on successful completion of prerequisite coursework and/or successful performance in the program.