Master of Education in Early Childhood Education (EC: PreK-3)
Website: https://twu.edu/education/early-childhood-education/
The Master of Education in Early Childhood Education leading to initial PK-3 teacher certification will prepare professionals to work in the public schools in PK-3rd grade classrooms
The M.Ed. in Early Childhood Education leading to initial PK-3 teacher certification may be completed up to 100% online.
Marketable Skills
Marketable skills prepare students for success in a variety of professional settings. Developed through academic coursework, co-curricular engagement, and extracurricular involvement, these skills include communication, critical thinking, teamwork, ethical reasoning, adaptability, and digital literacy. Whether directly related to a student’s major or serving as complementary strengths, marketable skills enhance career readiness and reflect TWU’s commitment to producing graduates who are prepared to thrive in today’s dynamic workforce.
- Knowledgeably advocate for changes in educational practices based on current trends, issues, or research to improve the lives of young children and their families in communities and schools.
- Knowledgeably apply leadership skills to empower others, including young children, to practice collaboration, cooperation, critical thinking, problem-solving, and effective communication, orally and in writing.
- Effectively apply a variety of observation and assessment techniques to clearly communicate developmentally appropriate skills and abilities of young children to organizations, administrators, and families.
- Critically evaluate text to inform, argue, persuade, or motivate others using research, academic vocabulary, and content knowledge to reliably organize, develop, and elaborate on educational topics.
- Effectively integrate technology to engage young children while independently using technology tools for learning, to find resources for improving pedagogy, and to communicate with families.
- Effectively identify appropriate professional and ethical interactions and behaviors while modeling acceptance of a variety of diverse lifestyles, cultures, ethnicity, family types, religion, and socioeconomic status over the course of their career.
- Accurately determine appropriate theoretical applications to pedagogical situations, tasks, and lessons in order to promote developmentally appropriate instruction for young children.
Admissions
All students must meet the University requirements as outlined in the Admission to the TWU Graduate School section of the catalog.
The academic program may have additional admission criteria that must also be completed as outlined on the program's website.
Degree Requirements
Total Semester Credit Hours Required
Teacher Certification Option: 36 semester credit hours (SCH).
Teacher Certification Option (36 SCH)
| Code | Title | SCHs |
|---|---|---|
| Core | ||
| ECE 5213 | Curriculum Development in Early Childhood | 3 |
| Research | ||
| ECE 5263 | Observation and Assessment in Early Childhood | 3 |
| Content Specialization | ||
| ECE 5203 | Language and Literacy in Early Childhood | 3 |
| ECE 5283 | Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math (STEAM) in Early Childhood Education | 3 |
| ECE 5433 | Brain-Based Learning for the Young Child | 3 |
| HDFS 5593 | Play, Development, and the Young Learner | 3 |
| Professional Development | ||
| ECE 5413 | Leadership, Advocacy and Public Policy for Young Children | 3 |
| ECE 5773 | School, Family, and Cultural Diversity: Community Connections | 3 |
| Education Requirement | ||
| EDUC 5113 | Foundations of Teaching and Learning | 3 |
| READ 5213 | Foundational Skills for the Teaching of Reading in the Early Grades | 3 |
| EDUC 5926 | Professional Practicum | 6 |
| Total SCHs | 36 | |
Special Requirements
No grade below B is accepted towards any graduate degree in the Division of Early Childhood Education. If more than one grade below B is earned while enrolled in any School of Education graduate program, the student will be dismissed from the program.
Final Examination
Students must complete a final examination consisting of an oral defense of a portfolio. The student's advisory committee determines the outcome of the exam. The examination may be repeated if deemed appropriate by the student's advisory committee, with the approval of the Director of the School of Education. The advisory committee should consist of three faculty members, all of whom must hold Graduate Faculty status, and at least two of whom must be from the Early Childhood Education program.
