COURSE CURRICULUM

The Master of Education degree in Early Childhood Education is designed to develop educators with advanced knowledge of pre-school through primary curricula and the skills to foster equitable and caring learning communities. This program prepares teachers to be pedagogical experts, reflective practitioners, and leaders capable of co-decision making and advocacy in early childhood education settings. It emphasizes both theoretical knowledge and practical experience, including intensive supervised fieldwork, practicums, and internships, allowing students to apply developmental principles and innovative teaching strategies across diverse classroom environments. Students have the opportunity to earn Ohio endorsements in pre-school and literacy, and may also pursue International Baccalaureate (IB) recognition. The program offers flexibility through three optional concentrations: Early Childhood Leadership: Advocacy, Curriculum and Policy; Globalization and Intercultural Competence; and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). The Early Childhood Leadership concentration focuses on strengthening leadership and program development skills, encouraging students to engage in independent research, policy analysis, and curriculum innovation. The Globalization and Intercultural Competence concentration addresses teaching strategies for diverse, emergent bilingual, and immigrant student populations, emphasizing multicultural education and second language learning methodologies. The STEM concentration prepares teachers to integrate interdisciplinary instruction, technology, and scientific reasoning into early childhood education, enhancing hands-on learning and fostering inquiry-based problem-solving skills. Core coursework across all options includes theoretical and applied studies in child development, social-emotional learning, literacy, mathematics, science, and critical pedagogy, while major electives allow students to tailor their studies to personal interests and career goals. Culminating experiences, including research projects or investigations and extended practicums, ensure that graduates demonstrate professional competence, reflective practice, and readiness to lead and innovate in diverse early childhood education settings. Overall, this M.Ed. equips educators to meet the academic, social, and cultural needs of young children in contemporary and globally connected classrooms.