The Master of Education in Early Childhood Education degree is designed for those who hold a bachelor's degree and wish to earn an initial Ohio teaching license at the graduate level in conjunction with a master's degree. Students in this program earn a master's degree and complete requirements for an initial Ohio educator license in Primary Education for grades PK through grade 5. 

The ME in Early Childhood Education is a 36 semester hour program. Students take courses in teacher education that include practicum and internship experiences in PK-12 schools along with supporting education courses. The program culminates with a theory and research course and the completion of a master's culminating seminar, project, or thesis depending on the student's interest. Coursework is completed through a combination of on-campus, online, and school-based courses. 

Admission to the ME in Early Childhood Education

In addition to admission requirements of the College of Graduate Studies, admission to the master's program requires the following:

• A baccalaureate degree from an accredited four-year institution

• A well-written statement of purpose describing your background and goals as well as the importance of this degree in achieving those goals

• One letter of recommendation regarding your potential for doing master's level work from professionals such as an undergraduate major advisor, current employer, school principal or others who are knowledgeable about your ability to engage in graduate work in this degree program

• An overall grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.7 on a 4.0 scale in all undergraduate work is preferred

• A content area grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.7 on a 4.0 scale for coursework for the selected licensure area is preferred

• Undergraduate content area and literacy-related coursework for the selected licensure area

The master's program has selective admissions and may admit a limited number of students. Thus, meeting all formal criteria does not guarantee admission.

What to Submit with Your Application 

• Official transcripts from all institutions of higher education

• Statement of purpose

• Resume

• One letter of recommendation 

• Course Review Worksheet
   

Requirements for the ME in Early Childhood Education

For the Master of Education degree, students must complete the following program requirements:

• A minimum of 36 semester hours of approved graduate course work

• An area of specialization in teacher education that includes practicum and internship experiences in PK-12 schools

• Supporting coursework with courses pre-approved by the faculty advisor  

• A master's culminating experience  

For the Ohio licensure, students must complete additional requirements to fulfill the credential requirements as well as the degree requirements. 

No more than six semester hours of credit from any combination of workshops (5950), problems or special topics courses (5980 or 6980), and independent studies (5990 or 6990) may be included in the degree program.

All coursework and requirements of the master's degree must be taken within a six-year period immediately preceding the date the degree is awarded.

Master's Coursework

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Specialization in Teacher Education
CIEC 5460	Science Methods For Early Childhood Education	3
CIEC 5480	Practicum I	1
CIEC 5550	Teaching Methods For Early Childhood Social Studies	3
CIEC 5770	Practicum II	1
CIEC 6750	Developmental And Classroom Assessment	3
CIEC 6940	Internship/Student Teaching In Primary Education	4
CI 5510	Mathematics For The Young Child	3
CI 6190	Ambitious Teaching in PK-12 Classrooms	3
CI 6410	Content Area Literacy	3
SPED 5000	Issues In Special Education	3
Supporting Coursework
EDP 5340	Classroom Engagement and Behavioral Supports	3
Master's Culminating Experience
Select ONE of the Following:		3
CIEC 6950	Theory And Research In Early Childhood
CI 6890	Theory and Research in Learning and Teaching Content
Select ONE of the Following:		3
CIEC 6900	Masters Research Seminar In Early Childhood Educaton
CIEC 6920	Masters Research Project In Early Childhood Education
CIEC 6960	Masters Thesis In Early Childhood Education
CI 6900	Master's Culminating Seminar In Teacher Education
Total Hours		36

Additional Requirements

Prior to Beginning Classroom Experiences

• Criminal background check

• Acceptable scores on the Ohio Assessment for Educators (OAE) Content Assessment for the licensure area

• All undergraduate content area and literacy related courses

Prior to Applying for Ohio Teaching License

• Acceptable scores on the Ohio Assessment for Educators (OAE) Pedagogy Assessment for the licensure area

• Acceptable scores on the Ohio Assessment for Educators (OAE) Foundations of Reading Assessment for the licensure area

GUIDE FOR DEVELOPING A PLAN OF STUDY

Below is a guide for developing a Plan of Study for the Master of Education. Students should review their degree audit and work with their faculty advisor to identify specific courses to fulfill program requirements. 

Plan of Study Grid

First Term		Hours
Select the following:
EDP 5340	Classroom Engagement and Behavioral Supports	3
CIEC 6750	Developmental And Classroom Assessment	3
CIEC 6950	Theory And Research In Early Childhood	3
	Hours	9
Second Term
Select the following:
CI 5510	Mathematics For The Young Child	3
CI 6410	Content Area Literacy	3
CIEC 5460	Science Methods For Early Childhood Education	3
CIEC 5480	Practicum I	1
	Hours	10
Third Term
Select the following:
SPED 5000	Issues In Special Education	3
CIEC 5550	Teaching Methods For Early Childhood Social Studies	3
CIEC 5770	Practicum II	1
	Hours	7
Fourth Term
Select the following:
CI 6190	Ambitious Teaching in PK-12 Classrooms	3
CIEC 6940	Internship/Student Teaching In Primary Education	4
CIEC 6900	Masters Research Seminar In Early Childhood Educaton	3
	Hours	10
	Total Hours	36

• PLO 1: Candidates use their understanding of young children's characteristics and needs, and of multiple interacting influences on children s development and learning, to create environments that are healthy, respectful, supportive, and challenging for all children.
• PLO 2: Candidates know about, understand, and value the importance and complex characteristics of children's families and communities. They use this understanding to create respectful, reciprocal relationships that support and empower families, and to involve all families in their children's development and learning.
• PLO 3: Candidates know about and understand the goals, benefits, and uses of assessment. They know about and use systematic observations, documentation, and other effective assessment strategies in a responsible way, in partnership with families and other professionals, to positively influence children's development and learning.
• PLO 4: Candidates integrate their understanding of and relationships with children and families; their understanding of developmentally effective approaches to teaching and learning; and their knowledge of academic disciplines to design, implement, and evaluate experiences that promote positive development and learning for all children.
• PLO 5: Candidates identify and conduct themselves as members of the early childhood profession. They know and use ethical guidelines and other professional standards related to early childhood practice. They are continuous, collaborative learners who demonstrate knowledgeable, reflective, and critical perspectives on their work, making informed decisions that integrate knowledge from a variety of sources.