Master of Education in Early Childhood Education - Non-Licensure Initial Program – Does Not Lead to Initial Teacher Licensure
Overview
Prepare Infants to Preschoolers for Academic Success
Improve your understanding of youth from birth to eight years old in the Master of Education (MEd) in Early Childhood Education program. Offered by GCU’s College of Education, this MEd in Early Childhood Education program provides an in-depth review of literacy development, child guidance and growth. Learn the concepts to enhance your teaching and learning in 21st century daycares, preschools and elementary schools.
In this graduate-level program, you exercise your critical thinking skills to research child development and early interventions for birth to third graders. By implementing a rigorous curriculum under the guidance of expert faculty, we aim to refine your instructional methods using evidence-based research and applied strategies. Field experience opportunities throughout your Master of Education in Early Childhood Education program expose you to working with diverse age groups and youth of varying developmental stages and intellect.
Degree Outcomes
Learn the Skills of Effective Early Childhood Education
In the MEd in Early Childhood Education program, you develop the foundation for early learning. Reviewing research on child development and growth provides the fundamentals for teaching and offers ways to gauge mastery of milestones. Examine child guidance and activity during internship experiences in multiple classroom settings to support your learning of teaching and assessment methods.
What You Will Learn
Study Curriculum for Early Childhood Education
In this early childhood education degree program, you 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 daycare centers, early childhood education centers or social service agencies.
Note: This program was recently revised. Disclosure statistics on this program before it was revised indicated 50% of students graduated on time (within 16 months) and graduated with a median loan debt of $30,253.
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.
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 graduated between 7/1 – 6/30 of the preceding year. The On-Time Completion rate is determined by the number of students in the cohort who completed the program within the published program length divided by the number of students in the cohort who graduated.
Online and Evening program disclosures (17 month program)* Please refer to the Academic Catalog for more information. Program subject to change.