Mar 19, 2024  
2017-2018 Graduate Catalog 
    
2017-2018 Graduate Catalog This is not the most recent catalog version; be sure you are viewing the appropriate catalog year.

Master of Arts in Early Childhood Education (ECE)


Program Overview
The program in early childhood education is designed for those who hold teacher certification and have or are seeking careers as classroom teachers (preschool through third grade), child care program directors or other positions related to the care and education of children ages birth through eight years. Each student’s program is worked out in consultation with an advisor according to the background and needs of the individual student. The program requires a minimum of 32 hours of graduate credit. The actual credits required for the degree may be more than 32, depending on the amount of previous course work the student has successfully completed. Students can plan programs with their advisors that will enable them to meet the State of Michigan’s requirements for the early childhood endorsement for the elementary teaching certificate. This program is in compliance with the standards set forth by the National Association for the Education of Young Children.

Model
Eastern Michigan University’s advanced professional education programs promote inquiry, advocacy and leadership in education for a diverse and democratic society. The early childhood education program addresses extended knowledge of developing and implementing age-appropriate, individually appropriate, and socially and culturally appropriate curriculum and teaching practices from birth through age eight.

Admission Requirements


Applicants to master’s programs in the Teacher Education Department must meet the following criteria

Department Information


Teacher Education, College of Education

Martha Kinney-Sedgwick, Ph.D. | Department Head | 313 Porter | 734.487.3260 | mkinneys@emich.edu

Advisor Information


Brigid Beaubien, Ph.D. | 313 Porter | 734.487.3260 | bbeaubi1@emich.edu

Retention Requirements


Retention requirements can be considered a “mid-point progress review” in the master’s degree programs. It is necessary to successfully complete all retention requirements before proceeding with the remainder of the program.

To proceed with exit requirements, students must:

  1. Complete ECE 600  and ECE 602  and ECE 609  with a grade of B or better in all three courses. ECE 600  should be taken in the first ten hours on the program;
  2. Complete EDPS 667 , EDPS 677  or EDPS 687  within 15 hours of graduate credit with an overall GPA of 3.0 or better;
  3. Schedule and satisfactorily complete a progress review after 22 credit hours have been completed; and
  4. If a student’s progress is judged unsatisfactory at the time of the progress review, the decision will be reviewed by all early childhood education graduate faculty, with the decision based on a majority vote. Students who do not meet the criteria, but maintain graduate student status, may continue to take graduate credit for professional development.

Degree Requirements: 32-33 hours


All of the courses in the program and restricted elective areas count towards the Early Childhood Endorsement. The ZS requires a total of 26 hours of credit listed in the program and restricted elective areas.

The curricular requirements include a minimum of 32 graduate-level hours, to be distributed as follows:

Foundation: 28 hours