Early Childhood Education

Our Program

Prescchool classroomThe master's degree program in early childhood education prepares individuals to be master teachers, administrators of early childhood programs, and leaders in the development of child care policy. This program is offered through K-State Online, though ECED courses include a synchronous evening component one night a week.

Prior licensure in early childhood education is not required for admission. However, students who want licensure but don't already have it can complete prerequisite courses concurrently with their MS degree requirements, earning both the MS and licensure in Early Childhood Unified (birth through kindergarten) upon completion.

  • ECED 810 - Child Development (3)
  • ECED 815 - Infant Behavior and Development (3)
  • ECED 820 - Theories of Human Development (3)
  • ECED 830 - Advanced Program Development (3)
  • ECED 883 - Practicum in Early Childhood Education (3)
  • ECED 797 - Home Visiting Programs for Young Children and Families (3)
    or
    HDFS 798 - Navigating Family Crisis, Trauma, and Resilience (3)
    or
    Graduate Program Director approved elective (3)
  • HHS 888 - Foundations in Research Methodology (3)
    or
    EDCEP 816 - Research Methods in Education (3)

Elective Courses:

Choose from the courses below, or select approved electives from subject areas across campus based on your professional goals.

  • ECED 710 - Child Care: Components and Issues (3)
  • ECED 728 - Assessment of Young Children (3)
  • ECED 740 - Play Facilitation (3)
  • ECED 884 - Practicum in Parent Education (1-18)
  • HDFS 809 - Qualitative Research Methods in HDFS (3)
  • HDFS 899 - MS Research in Human Development and Family Science (1-8)

To complete the program, the master's candidate must have:

  1. Thirty (30) graduate hours of coursework approved by her/his committee.
  2. Experience working with children. The candidate can fulfill this requirement with coursework in one of the following:
    • Practicum in Early Childhood Education (ECED 883) (3)
    • Practicum in Parent Education (ECED 884) (3)
    • Research in HDFS (Thesis) (HDFS 899) (3-6)
  3. A comprehensive examination or a written document which may take one of three forms:
    • Thesis - an empirical study with a comprehensive review of the literature and conforming to specifications set by the university.
    • An article prepared for submission to a scholarly journal (research or expository).
    • Report, e.g., curriculum teacher guide, survey, parent handbook, assessment instruments.
  4. The candidate must have an oral defense of the document or of the comprehensive examination.

For additional information please contact us via e-mail.