Master of Science (MS) in Education

School of Education

Early Childhood Education specialization

The quality standards of state-funded pre-kindergarten programs have increased substantially in recent years, with 28 states now requiring lead teachers to have specialized training. Capella's master's degree specialization in Early Childhood Education is designed to prepare teachers to design, implement, and evaluate developmentally appropriate learning experiences for young children. The curriculum includes course work in such topics as child psychology, classroom management, the early childhood learning environment, family engagement, and strategies for eliminating achievement gaps. Elective course work provides you the opportunity to broaden your knowledge of learning theories or focus on special education or supervisory skills. People likely to be interested in this specialization include licensed teachers who have a passion for education at the early stages of development and want to pursue specialized preparation in that area, or who want to teach early childhood education in a higher education institution.

Licensure Information: For detailed information about obtaining professional licensure, please see our licensure FAQ.

Core Courses (each course 4 quarter credits unless noted)

• ED5007 - Foundations of Educational Leadership - 6 quarter credits
• ED5500 - Standards-Based Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment
• ED5501 - Assessment and Improvement of Instruction
• ED5503 - Classroom Management Strategies
• ED5504 - Strategies for Eliminating the Achievement Gap
• ED5006 - Survey of Research Methodology

Specialization Courses (each course 4 quarter credits unless noted)

• PSY7220 - Child Psychology - 5 quarter credits
• ED5410 - The Early Childhood Learning Environment*
• ED5430 - Children, Families, and Society*
• ED5450 - Practicum in Early Childhood Education* - 6 quarter credits

One Elective Course

• Recommended elective courses
• ED5502 - Learning Theory and Instructional Practice
• ED5420 - Exceptional Children in the Early Childhood Setting*
• ED5560 - Human Relations in Teaching and Learning (recommended for learners seeking Minnesota licensure)
• ED5514 - Educational Leadership for Teacher-Leaders (recommended for learners seeking supervisory positions)
• OR
• Choose any graduate course.

Admission to the Early Childhood Education specialization requires learners to complete and submit the Capella University School of Education Certification of Licensed Teaching form located at www.capella.edu/aspscripts/schools/TeacherLicensure.pdf.

Capella University cannot guarantee licensure, certification, or endorsement. State regulations vary regarding professional licensure and salary benefits. It is learners' responsibility to understand and comply with requirements for their state.

State regulations vary regarding course requirements for professional licensure. For assistance with state-mandated course requirements for licensure, contact the designated school representative.

Prior to enrollment, Washington state learners are advised to contact the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction at profed@k12.wa.us to determine teacher certification or endorsement requirements, and contact their school district regarding qualifications for salary advancement.

Kansas regulations require that Kansas residents must first be granted a license for early childhood education in Minnesota before applying for a Kansas license. They can then apply to add Early Childhood, Prekindergarten through grade three (general education only — no special education), as an endorsement on their Kansas license.

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• Or call: 1-866-933-5842

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