Master of Arts in Early Childhood Education
Curriculum
The program starts in the Fall semesters. All of our courses are offered in the evening to allow professionals to commute to campus. This series of courses builds on students' understanding of how children learn and how to provide advocacy for young children and their families.
The program requirements include 30 units of required coursework. Below is the suggested course sequence that can be adjusted according to individual preferences such as how long the student wants to complete the program. For example, the program can be done within 1.5 years if some courses including ERE 153, ERE 220, and CI 285 are taken in winter and/or summer. A graduate advisor will be available to support each student to prepare for an individually designed program.
ERE 153 Substitution Request Form
| Semester | Course Number | Course Title/Description | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 - Fall | LEE 233 |
Curriculum and Assessment in ECE Prerequisites: admission to program or permission of instructor. Design of appropriate curriculum and assessment for young children. Includes standards, planning, project approach, integration of play, and materials. Use of observation, rubrics, and portfolios to document development and learning. Organizing environments in early childhood settings, infants through grade three. (2 lecture, 2 lab hours) |
3 Units |
| LEE 171 |
Trends and Issues in ECE A comprehensive study of the field of early childhood education, including principles of early childhood education, parent relations, use of community resources, and organization of programs in early childhood education. |
3 Units | |
| LEE 250 |
Leadership in ECE Leadership in creating, improving and expanding ECE programs, resources and services in schools and community settings. Includes leadership roles, planning for positive educational change, partnerships and networking to at the local, state, national, and international levels. |
3 Units | |
| Semester 2 - Spring | LEE 232 |
Literacy in ECE Prerequisite: admission to program or permission of instructor. Examines development of oral and written language in young children. Explores theories, curricula, and strategies for teaching literacy. |
3 units |
| LEE 235 |
Concept Development in ECE Prerequisite: admission to program or permission of instructor. Study of how young children develop concepts. Analysis of existing curriculum and design of relevant curriculum. |
3 units | |
| LEE 271 |
Diversity and Inclusion in ECE Understanding and responding to cultural, ethnic and linguistic diversity and the ways they affect personality, language, cognitive development and socialization. Creating inclusive learning environments and curriculum in early childhood education. |
3 units | |
| Summer | ERE 153 | ||
| Semester 3 - Fall |
CI 285
or |
Seminar in Advanced Educational Psychology Prerequisites: Minimum 3 units from the following: CI 152, CI 171, COUN 174, or PSYCH 101, or permission of instructor. Seminar on the psychological foundations of education; nature and characteristics of development, learning processes, and forces which affect educational growth. (Formerly ERA 285) Educational Measurement and Program Evaluation Prerequisite: ERE 153. Procedures and issues involved in the measurement and evaluation of educational programs; planning, etc. Applications in educational settings are emphasized. |
3 units |
| ERE 220 |
Research in Education Prerequisites: ERE 153. Seminar in education research methodology; library resources; critiquing data collection, analyses, interpretation in research articles; writing research papers; for elementary and secondary teaching, early childhood, reading, administration, counseling, special education, related fields. |
3 units | |
| Semester 4 - Spring | LEE 241 |
Fieldwork in Early Childhood Education Prerequisite: admission to program or permission of instructor. Supervised experiences in work with young children and their families. |
3 units |
| LEE 298B/LEE 299 or Exam plus an elective |
LEE 298B Project: Early Childhood Education Prerequisite: advancement to candidacy for the master's degree; B average on 24 units of the master's program including ERE 220. See Criteria for Thesis and Project. A project consists of a significant undertaking appropriate to education. An approved proposal is required for enrollment. Approved for RP grading.
Prerequisite: advancement to candidacy for the master's degree; B average on 24 units of the master's program including ERE 220 and completion of an acceptable thesis proposal. Preparation, completion, and submission of an acceptable thesis proposal. See criteria for Thesis and Project. Preparation, completion, and submission of an acceptable thesis for the master's degree. Approved for RP grading. |
3 units |