Master’s in Early Childhood Education Degree (Non-Licensure)

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Overview

Prepare Infants and Preschoolers for Early Childhood Academic Achievement

Explore the academic and development needs of children from birth to eight years old in the Master of Education (MEd) in Early Childhood Education (non-licensure) program. Offered by the College of Education at Grand Canyon University, this MEd in Early Childhood Education can provide an in-depth review of literacy development, child guidance and growth. You will examine concepts that can potentially enhance your teaching in early childhood settings such as daycares, preschools and elementary schools with a master’s in early childhood education.

Female early childhood education teacher on floor with young students showing poster of planets
Why GCU

Pursue Your MEd in Early Childhood Education From GCU

The early years in a child’s life are critical for brain development and children in nurturing, development-focused environments tend to exhibit better future outcomes in learning, behavior and health.1,2 As an aspiring early childhood educator, you can make a difference in the lives of children within your community by empowering them with the support they need.

Coursework

What To Expect in Early Childhood Education Courses

With an emphasis on evidence-based methodologies and the use of data analysis for instructional decision-making, your coursework will consist of hands-on learning opportunities.

In this early childhood education master’s program, you will explore a comprehensive range of content areas such as:

Instruction methods for exceptional learners and non-English speakers

Classroom engagement and management techniques

Developmental milestones and methods of evaluation

Curriculum development for language arts, math, science, health, social studies and the arts

Patterns of learning across the cognitive, linguistic, physical, social and emotional areas

Cultural awareness and competencies, with a look at support for various family types

Master’s in Early Childhood Education Curriculum

In this graduate-level program, you will have the opportunity to exercise your critical thinking skills to research child development and early interventions for children from birth through third grade. By implementing a rigorous curriculum under the guidance of skilled faculty, we aim to refine your instructional methods using evidence-based research and applied strategies. Field experience opportunities throughout your master’s in early childhood education program can expose you to working with diverse age groups and youth of varying developmental stages and intellect.

Female student working on laptop in kitchen

Skills Taught in the MEd in Early Childhood Education Program

Early childhood education master’s programs provide opportunities for you to acquire the skills that can develop a foundation for early learning. Reviewing research on child development and growth can provide the fundamentals for teaching and offers ways to gauge mastery of milestones. In this MEd program you will examine and study child guidance and activity during hands-on experiences within multiple classroom settings to support your learning of teaching and assessment methods.

This program teaches an array of educational skills, including:

  • The use of data to assess, monitor and report on the progress of young students
  • Instructional planning, including the assessment, evaluation and data analysis pertaining to lesson development
  • Assessments and strategies for promoting English language development
  • The creation of learning environments that support individual and collaborative learning, positive social interaction, self-motivation and active engagement in learning
Careers

Career Paths for MEd in Early Childhood Education Graduates

In your potential future role as an early childhood education professional, you may hold the power to sculpt the potential of upcoming generations, offering them the guidance and resources for their flourishing.  

With a foundation of pedagogical competencies, you may be prepared to pursue careers such as:1

  • Special education teaching assistant
  • Teaching assistant in preschool, elementary, middle and secondary classrooms
  • Preschool teacher
  • Kindergarten teacher
  • Elementary school teacher
  • Postsecondary education teacher

Pursue work across a variety of settings, including:4

Daycare centers

Early childhood education centers

Preschools

Elementary schools

Accreditation

Institutionally Accredited Master of Education Degrees

GCU prioritizes the quality of our education. GCU is a member of the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP), a national accrediting organization recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. As an institutionally accredited university, our instructors are knowledgeable in their fields and committed to supporting our students. Visit GCU’s education accreditation page to view our programs that have been awarded full accreditation by AAQEP. We strive to graduate students who are prepared to pursue professional excellence while making a positive difference in their communities.

FAQ

Master’s in Early Childhood Education FAQs

It’s natural to have some questions as you reflect upon your intended career path and degree program options. The following frequently asked questions and answers may address any concerns you may have.

Female early childhood education teacher smiling with young students playing in background

Begin Shaping Youth Education

Prepare yourself to pursue a career that can make a positive difference in the lives of young children. Fill out the form on this page to learn more about GCU’s early childhood education master’s degree online.

Apply Now

If you are seeking licensure/certification, please refer to the Accreditation and Compliance/State disclosures link for the specific program of interest’s website for your location and/or employment state licensure requirements, per 34 CFR 668.14(b)32 and 668.43(c).

1 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2023, Feb. 24). Early Brain Development and Health. Retrieved May 28, 2024.

2 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2017, July 28). CDC Grand Rounds: Addressing Health Disparities in Early Childhood. Retrieved on Oct. 23, 2023.

3 Excluding observational and practice-based experiences, and student teaching.

4 Learn.org (n.d.). Master’s in Early Childhood Education: Salary and Career Facts. Retrieved Oct. 19, 2023.

5 Teach.com. (n.d.). Master of Arts in Teaching vs. Master in Education. Retrieved Oct. 19, 2023.

6 Indeed. (2023, Aug. 16). Early Childhood Educator Skills: Definition and Examples. Retrieved Oct. 19, 2023.

7 PraxisExam.org. (n.d.). The Best Teaching Strategies for Early Childhood Educators. Retrieved Oct. 19, 2023.

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