Ãå±±ÂÖ¼é Master of Education in Early Childhood Education
Program Highlights
30 credit hours | In-state tuition: $480.90/credit hour | Out-of-state tuition: $590.53/credit hour
- Convenient 100% online M.Ed. program for working teachers and professionals caring for/about young children
- May be completed in as little as 12 months
- Program curriculum approved by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
- Non-thesis master’s degree
- Does not lead to teaching certification, but provides diverse career opportunities in enhancing the educational and developmental experiences of young children
- Offered by UTEP's College of Education
Make a Difference in Young Lives
Nurture. Inspire. Lay the foundation for a lifetime of learning. Early childhood teachers and professionals in related fields can have a profound impact on young children, and ultimately, our society.
The M.Ed. in Early Childhood Education program, offered through UTEP Connect and the College of Education's Teacher Education Department, is a fully online, 30-credit hour degree designed for individuals who wish to pursue graduate studies focused on the teaching and learning of young children (Birth to Age 8) in diverse, inclusive early care and educational settings. Intended for busy educators (licensed or un-licensed) seeking to take on instructional leadership roles in the field and to apply theoretical and research knowledge to their teaching practice, this degree program can be completed in as little as 12 months.
In choosing the online master's degree in Early Childhood Education, students will gain practical marketable skills such as:
- The ability to interpret and apply theories and research on justice-oriented and asset-based teaching and learning;
- The capacity to analyze the impact of the physical environment and socio-cultural interactions/relationships on young children’s early development;
- The knowledge needed to critically examine and apply various instructional techniques, materials and approaches to early childhood education aimed at addressing the differential needs of young children;
- Proficiency in synthesizing knowledge of the history, current issues and trends in early childhood education to design curricula for culturally and linguistically diverse young learners.
UTEP Edge
Our student success initiative, the UTEP Edge, develops upon students’ assets through a variety of high-impact experiences. These experiences are designed to improve student skills and give UTEP students a competitive advantage as they move forward in their lives and careers. Our goal as a campus is to provide these UTEP Edge experiences to all students, regardless of their area of study, so they will graduate with a competitive advantage over their peers. These are the Edge experiences Early Childhood Education students will have and the Edge skills they will graduate with:
Edge Experiences
- Leadership
- Creative Activities
- Community Engagement
- Research and Scholarly Activities
Edge Skills
- Leadership
- Critical Thinking
- Communication
- Confidence
- Problem Solving
- Teamwork
Outside-the-Classroom Opportunities
Instructional leaders in early childhood education are in high demand and job opportunities are available in a variety of settings that provide care for and about young children. While many graduates do work in early childhood education settings and classrooms, other opportunities are also available, including in:
- Children’s literature/publishing
- Curriculum design and development
- Children’s museums and community-based educational programming
- Children’s entertainment industries (television, theater, toy design)
- Health and human services/early intervention
- Early childhood education advocacy
Course Overview
This M.Ed. program focuses on child development, early childhood learning theory and curriculum and instruction, with a specific emphasis on working with culturally, linguistically, (dis)ability, and socioeconomically diverse young children and their families. It prepares advanced teacher leaders and early childhood advocates to address the learning and developmental needs of young children from all backgrounds in home-based, community-based and early elementary school contexts. Coursework centers on pedagogical strategies that advance culturally-sustaining and asset-based teaching to promote whole child development. Through graduate coursework designed to promote reflection, refine teaching focus and build new knowledge and skills, this program prepares Master Teachers to help support young children to thrive individually and as part of an engaged community, setting the foundation for life-long learning in our diverse contemporary world.
This program does not include a teaching credential. However, the M.Ed. in Early Childhood Education may be combined with our residential Alternative Certification Program (45 credits total) for individuals seeking to obtain this M.Ed. degree and who also want to earn a Texas elementary (EC-6) teaching license. Admission to the Alternative Certification Program requires a separate application process.
Early Childhood Education master's degree online program faculty all have earned their Ph.D.s and have intensive knowledge of current teaching theory and practice as well as the latest research in the field of early childhood education. Faculty are dedicated to the preparation of Master Teachers who promote the use of intentional, meaningful and research-based learning experiences to support the optimal development and growth of individual talents in young children in culturally and linguistically diverse educational contexts. Program courses are designed to nurture advanced practitioners and educational leaders in the field of early childhood education who are knowledgeable, culturally responsive and innovative educators.
Required Courses
ECED 5348: Child Development in Diverse Education Contexts - Birth to Age 8
ECED 5349: Approaches to Early Childhood Pedagogy - Birth to Age 8
ECED 5353: Early Literacy/Multi-literacies Development and Curriculum - Birth to Age 8
ECED 5354: Early STEM/STEAM Development and Curriculum - Birth to Age 8
ECED 5355: Justice-Oriented/Equity Education and Multicultural Literacy - Birth to Age 8
ECED 5357: Play, Games and Toys in Diverse Education Contexts - Birth to Age 8
ECED 5358: Responsive Relationships and Child Guidance in Diverse Education Contexts - Birth to Age 8
ECED 5359: Asset and Arts-Based Teaching in Diverse Education Contexts - Birth to Age 8
Choose one of the following
SPED 5351: Current topics in Early Intervention (Birth to Age 8) for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Young Children and Families
TED 5313: Diversity in Educational Settings
ECED 5360: Advanced Teacher Capstone - Birth to Age 8