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Master of Education In Early Childhood Education

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Masters Degrees in Education

Master of Education
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Kansas City, MO 64105
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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 grade point average (GPA) on a 4.00 scale.
  • Students with a 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.
    • Optional professional portfolio (to be evaluated by two full-time Teacher Education faculty members)
    • 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.

Curriculum
Required Courses 36 hrs.
ED   516   Introduction to Graduate Research 3 hrs.
ED 519 Diversity in the Classroom 3 hrs.
ED 520 Special Needs in the Classroom 3 hrs.
ED 532 Teaching and Learning: Theory into Practice 3 hrs.
ED 565 Issues in Early Childhood Education 3 hrs.
ED 575 Curriculum and Assessment I 3 hrs.
ED 576 Curriculum and Assessment II 3 hrs.
ED 585 Emergent Literacy in a Diverse Society I 3 hrs.
ED 586 Emergent Literacy in a Diverse Society II 3 hrs.
ED 595 Play in the Early Childhood Curriculum 3 hrs.
ED 629 Critical Reflections Seminar 3 hrs.
ED 630 Action Practicum 3 hrs.
Total Credits required for degree program 36 hrs.

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 ww.park.edu/graduation. Students must return the completed form with the appropriate fee.

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