Master of Education in Early Childhood Education - Initial Teacher Licensure Initial Program – Leads to Initial Teacher Licensure
Overview
Prepare Infants to Preschoolers for Academic Success
Develop the learning journey for youth from birth to eight years old in the Master of Education (MEd) in Early Childhood Education program. Offered by Grand Canyon University’s (GCU) College of Education, this masters in early childhood education program provides a wide-ranging teaching focus. Research child development and early interventions for children from birth to pre-K, and master the knowledge needed for your K-3 teaching licensure.
This masters degree in early childhood education is ideal for career changers and other individuals passionate about the field of education. Learn concepts to introduce you to teaching and learning in the 21st century. At GCU, numerous opportunities are provided to apply your learning. Field experience and student teaching components throughout your program expose you to diverse age groups and working with youth of varying developmental states and intellect.
Programs leading to teacher certification may require practicum hours, state exams, student teaching and an institutional recommendation from GCU. If you are enrolled in the MEd early childhood program, you are required to complete eight weeks of student teaching in a birth to pre-K setting and eight weeks in a K-3 grade setting.
Degree Outcomes
Learn the Skills of Effective Early Childhood Education
In the masters degree in early childhood education program, you focus on topics to help young minds develop the foundation for early learning. You review research on child development and growth and learn ways to gauge mastery of milestones. Examine child guidance and activity during internship experiences in a birth to preschool setting and in a K-3 setting. Upon successful completion of coursework and state requirements, this masters in early childhood education degree program may lead to teaching licensure.
What You Will Learn
Study Our Early Childhood Education Curriculum
In this masters in early childhood education online program, teacher candidates study topics such as:
- Instruction methods for the exceptional learner and non-English speakers
- Classroom engagement and management techniques
- Developmental milestones and methods of evaluation
- Curriculum development and teaching for language arts, math, science, health, social studies and the arts
Career Outcomes
Become an Outstanding Educator
Common jobs following the Master of Education in Early Childhood Education include preschool teacher, daycare director, child development specialist, school program director and education advocate. Potential places of work include public and private elementary schools, daycares, early childhood education centers and social service agencies.
Course List
Program Core Courses
Course Description
This course is designed to prepare students for the graduate learning experience at Grand Canyon University. Students have opportunities to develop and strengthen the skills necessary to succeed as graduate students in the College of Education. Emphasis is placed on utilizing the tools for graduate success.
Course Description
This course reviews research in language and literacy development with an emphasis on effective strategies (such as phonemic awareness and decoding) in Birth to Age 5/Pre-K and K to Age 8/Grade 3. NAEYC Standards 1-5 will be the focus of study.
Course Description
This course presents the historical, legal, theoretical, and sociological foundations of programs of instruction for English language learners. It includes an examination of the role of culture in learning and instructional program models, with a focus on Structured English Immersion. Teacher candidates are instructed in immersion strategies and the use of assessment data. Practicum/field experience hours: 10. Fingerprint clearance required.
Course Description
This course investigates the fundamental basis of the early childhood field, Birth to Age 5/Pre-K and K to Age 8/Grade 3, including historical and philosophical foundations, current practices, ethics, models of teaching, child growth and development, health and fitness, and application in early childhood settings. Professional preparation requirements and professional development opportunities for early childhood educators will be explored. Practicum/field experience hours: 20. Fingerprint clearance required.
Course Description
This course focuses on analyzing theories of child development, Birth to Age 5/Pre-K and K to Age 8/Grade 3, the components of positive classroom environments, and classroom management programs, including the framework for the Guidance Approach. Research will be utilized to investigate the social, cultural and familial contexts which influence learning and development. Practicum/field experience hours: 20. Fingerprint clearance required. Prerequisite: ECH-520.
Course Description
This course explores characteristics and quality practices for typical and atypical behaviors of young children in the Birth-PK and K-3 populations. Differentiated instruction and evaluation measures will be examined in relation to meeting the needs of all learners. Practicum/field experience hours: 20. Fingerprint clearance required.
Course Description
This course leads the teacher through the process of assessing, monitoring, and reporting the progress of young children. Practicum/field experience hours: 20. Fingerprint clearance required.
Course Description
In this course, teacher candidates continue to examine the fundamentals of the legal, historical, and educational foundations of Structured English Immersion and other instructional programs for English language learners. Theoretical principles of language acquisition and the role of culture in learning are examined. Methods of assessment are identified and analyzed. Teacher candidates identify strategies to promote English language development and improve student achievement. They plan, deliver, and evaluate instruction for English language learners. Practicum/field experience hours: 15. Fingerprint clearance required.
Course Description
This course examines instructional methodologies for teaching young children, with a specific emphasis on language, math, science, social studies, and the arts. Practicum/field experience hours: 20. Fingerprint clearance required.
Course Description
This course is the first of two 8-week sessions of student teaching experience in a classroom. The student teacher is assigned to an approved school with a cooperating teacher, a university supervisor, and a Grand Canyon University course instructor. The course includes practical classroom experiences, research and analysis, and teaching duties that will support the compilation and creation of a Teacher Work Sample (TWS). The teacher candidates are required to complete their internship experiences in a birth to pre-school classroom. Prerequisite: ECH-640.
Course Description
This course is the second of two 8-week sessions of the student teaching experience in a classroom. The student teacher is assigned to an approved school with a certified cooperating teacher, a university supervisor, and a Grand Canyon University course instructor. The course includes practical classroom experiences, research and analysis, and teaching duties that will support the compilation and creation of a Teacher Work Sample (TWS). The teacher candidates are required to complete their internship experiences in a K-3 classroom. Fingerprint clearance required. Prerequisite: Fingerprint clearance required; Student teaching placement.
Program Locations
Online
Evening
* The Department of Education defines how an institution must calculate a program's On-Time Completion rate for federal disclosure purposes. The On-Time Completion rate is based on a program's published required number of months to complete all degree requirements as provided in the institution's catalog. Completion statistics are updated every January and are based on the cohort of students who started the program in the same year and then graduated within the published program length.
Online and Evening program disclosures Additional Disclosures* Please refer to the Academic Catalog for more information. Program subject to change.