Master of Education In Early Childhood Education

Available only On Campus in the Kansas City Area

Graduate Education Program

• Vision and Mission Statements
• Goals and Objectives
• Graduate Education Handbook
• Cohort Programs

Masters Degrees in Education

• MED in Educational Leadership
• MED in Adult Education
• MED in Early Childhood Education
• MED in Language & Literacy
• MED in Teacher Leadership

Contact Us

Park University Graduate School
911 Main, Suite 900
Kansas City, MO 64105
Tel. (816) 559-5629
E-mail us | Driving directions

Purpose

The Master of Education program, with emphasis in Early Childhood Education, is designed to provide advanced coursework on topics specific to working with young children, birth through grade three. The Master of Education degree, with Early Childhood emphasis, assumes a strong, current background in the principles of early childhood education, child growth and development, curriculum, teaching strategies, assessment, working with families and community, and advocacy. The degree is not designed to provide coursework for certification in early childhood education.

Admissions Requirements

• A Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education, Child and Family Studies, Child Growth and Development, or Elementary Education from an accredited institution, or a Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution and significant work experience in the field of early childhood education.
• Minimum 3.0 cumulative grade point average (GPA) on a 4.00 scale.
• Students with a cumulative GPA between 2.75 and 3.0 may be considered for admission, if they provide one of the following:
  • Four (4) years successful employment experience (validated by a letter of recommendation from supervisor based on good evaluations).
  • An acceptable GRE score for verbal and quantitative tests.
• Child abuse and neglect screening (contact Melanie Kinney in the School for Education at 816-584-6335)**
• Missouri State Highway Patrol felony background check and FBI fingerprint check (Note: FBI checks must be current and valid for one year) - (contact Melanie Kinney in the School for Education at 816-584-6335)**
• Be Officially admitted to the School for Education.

*An applicant who has been denied admission to a graduate education program may appeal the decision to the Committee for Selection, Admission, Retention, and Appeals (CSARA). The appeal shall be submitted in writing to the Chair of the CSARA using the appropriate appeal form. Documentation supporting the appeal must accompany the appeal form where applicable. Additional information related to the appeals process may be obtained from the School for Education office.

**Note: If items 4 and 5 above have been completed for current employment with a school district or the U.S. military, a copy of the same may be submitted.  the felony background check and FBI fingerprint check must be within the last year.

Graduation Requirements

• Successful completion of 36 credit hours, with no grade lower than a "C," in the required courses, with a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher.
• An approved portfolio that addresses satisfactorily NCATE/NAEYC Program Standards for Advanced Programs in Early Childhood Education is required. The portfolio must be presented by the fifth week of the last term in the student's program. Students must successfully pass the SFE Disposition Instrument for Graduate Candidates. A student cannot complete the program without an acceptable portfolio.
• See Academic Policies - Graduation Requirements for more information.
• An Application for Graduation is required before a completion statement is posted to the transcript. Application for Graduation is available online at www.park.edu/graduation. Students must submit the completed form with the appropriate fee.

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