Master of Education in Early Childhood Education (M.Ed.)

 

Set the Stage for a Child’s Love of Learning

Teaching our nation’s youngest learners is a calling. Your students will of course learn the alphabet and their numbers, but what they’ll learn from you will be so much more important. You’ll teach them how to participate in a classroom setting, how to respect their teachers and classmates, and how to be kind to themselves and the world around them. If you’re up to the task, West Chester University has a Master of Education in Early Childhood Education for you!

WCU’s M.Ed. program will provide you with the breadth and depth of knowledge needed to become an effective early childhood leader. Students in our program develop a strong foundation in, and understanding of, the multiple factors that influence child development. You’ll combine your knowledge of child development, cultural and family background, academic content, technology, and assessment to design, implement, and evaluate learning experiences for all children. This program does not lead to teacher certification, but WCU does offer a Master of Education in Elementary Education with Teacher Certification.

As a cohort-based program, WCU’s M.Ed. in Early Childhood Education must be completed in 5 semesters.

 

Benefits of Earning Your Graduate Degree at West Chester University

Accelerated, Flexible Coursework

WCU’s M.Ed. in Early Childhood Education was created with working professionals in mind. The program is offered fully online in a week-to-week module format with both synchronous and asynchronous meetings to give you the best of both flexibility and accountability with time to interact directly with your professor and cohort peers. The M.Ed. in Early Childhood Education is offered in an accelerated, cohort-based format. By focusing on one course at a time throughout most of the program, you'll complete your degree with your cohort in 5 consecutive semesters.

Accomplished Faculty and Small Classes

WCU has an outstanding faculty with decades of experience in classrooms from preschool through the early grades. Each professor brings their own expertise and research interests to the classroom from the importance of literary representation and play as a means of childhood development to fostering student creativity and exploration reflective practice. Our faculty are frequent presenters at home and abroad and have published studies, chapters, and books based on their areas of interest.

At WCU, our small graduate classes mean you’ll receive personalized attention and an individualized program experience with faculty who are deeply committed to providing mentorship and support to each student.

As a member of a cohort-based program, you’ll be surrounded by other educational professionals with years of experience. You will learn as much from each other as you do from faculty and will build a regional support network.

Cohort model

The M.Ed. in Early Childhood Education is offered as a cohort program with both individual and group projects. You’ll progress through the program with your cohort group, building a network you can rely on inside and outside the classroom. Together with your cohort, you’ll identify strategies to support and engage diverse families and communities, learn play-based teaching strategies, and build effective communication, leadership, mentorship, and advocacy skills.

Personalized Career Advising

As a graduate student at WCU, you will have full access to the Twardowski Career Development Center (CDC). The experts at the CDC will help you explore career options, write your résumé, perfect your interviewing skills, and create a job search strategy. The CDC also hosts employment fairs on campus throughout the year.

 

What Can You Do with a Master of Education Degree in Early Childhood Education?

Our graduates are employed in many different types of educational settings including early education programs, childcare centers, and social service agencies in supervisory, early intervention, parent education, and curriculum specialist roles.

Many of our graduates who pursue teaching certification are in teaching, child advocacy, and family policy positions. Additionally, others teach at community colleges and as adjunct faculty in four-year institutions.

Our program can increase your confidence, leadership opportunities and pay scale, and will provide you with a support network of regional educators.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, preschool and childcare center directors can expect to earn, on average $56,270. Additional experience and credentials will increase salary. A certified kindergarten teacher, for instance, can expect to earn more than $62,000 annually.

Our M.Ed. graduates enjoy an excellent rate of employment post-graduation.

 

What Will You Study as a Student in the Master of Education in Early Childhood Education Program?

Our master’s degree program is a 33-credit, cohort-based model.