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Early Childhood Education

Early Childhood Education

Program Overview

The Early Childhood Education program is a two-year, 30-33 unit program that fosters the development of diverse educators who apply research-based knowledge in designing developmentally and culturally appropriate curriculum and assessment strategies for children ages birth through 8.  Candidates develop family-school-community partnership strategies, develop skills and the knowledge for literacy and STEM instruction as well as early intervention, and critically evaluate policies that impact young children and their families. The ECE program develops teacher leaders and advocates of young children, families, and the field.

The Fall 2021 application cycle opened October 1, 2020. The Fall 2021 application deadline is June 1, 2021 (deadline is April 1, 2021 for international applicants). 

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Program Highlights

  • Be part of a cohort model
  • Offers hybrid courses and evening classes
  • 2-year program
  • No GRE required
  • Mentoring by faculty and program graduates
  • ECE program specific scholarships for eligible candidates
  • Meets the California requirement of Transitional Kindergarten (TK) teachers needing to complete 24 early childhood education units.

Areas of Training

Students will be able to:

  1. Analyze theoretical perspectives and current issues as well as evaluate and apply research in the field of early childhood education, both nationally and internationally.
  2. Demonstrate competency in developing family, school, and community partnerships.
  3. Develop reflective practitioners, leaders, and advocates for children, family and communities, who promote equity and excellence in diverse settings.
  4. Apply educational theories and pedagogies to design and implement developmentally appropriate curriculum, programs, and academic content literacies (e.g., numeracy, digital, and language) for diverse early childhood populations.

Our Graduates

In addition to teaching in infant, toddler, preschool, transitional kindergarten, and elementary school classrooms, our graduates obtain a host of leadership positions such as community college instructors and tenure track faculty members in private and public universities in the US and internationally; ECE curriculum specialists; ECE program directors; ECE consultants; mentor teachers; research/development specialists; and leadership positions in national organizations. Our graduates also open their own ECE programs locally and in international contexts, and pursue doctoral programs in various universities in the US and universities in other countries.