The graduate programs in Early Childhood are designed to improve the teaching effectiveness of teachers working with young children in regular early childhood settings as well as early childhood special education settings. The master of science degree has been designed to prepare students with knowledge and skills to meet the challenges of the present and the future. Current federal mandates and trends in public schools recognize the growing importance of early childhood special education services for children from birth through age 8 and their families. Teachers with advanced training in their field will be in a favored position to usher in best practices for young children. The master of science degree in early childhood education offers areas of concentration in early childhood curriculum and instruction and early childhood special education.
Certification is also available in early childhood and early childhood special education.
Hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. Have a grade point average of not less than 2.75 on the last 60 undergraduate hours. After having been admitted to graduate study, the student must achieve degree candidacy. Candidacy is the formal pursuit of a graduate degree after it is determined that all specified preliminary requirements have been met. Applicants must have all requirements completed or scheduled for completion prior to the second term of enrollment.