MEd Early Childhood Education: Degree Requirements
Students must complete a minimum of 32 hours with at least 9 hours at the 500 level. Courses numbered 596, 597, 598 or 599 do not meet this requirement. Students pursuing and Illinois PEL or other credentials must follow specified course sequences outlined in advising guides.
An additional 12 hours of student teaching is required for students pursuing an Illinois Professional Educator License (PEL).
Advising Guides Heading link
Early Childhood Development (7 - 8 credit hours) Heading link
Required
- EPSY 426 Development, Health and Wellness: Conception to Age 8 (4)
Choose one of the following courses with consent of program advisor:
- EPSY 429 Constructivist Approaches to Development: Piaget and Vygotsky (4)
- ED 422 Advanced Developmental Psychology and Educational Processes (3)
- EPSY 420 Social Development of Urban Children (4)
- SPED 506 Characteristics and Assessment of Young Children with Disabilities (4)
- EPSY/SPED 466 Language Development, Diversity, and Disabilities (3)
Early Childhood Methods and Practice (6 hours) Heading link
- EPSY 520 Introduction to Curriculum and Practice in Early Childhood Education (6) or equivalent as approved by program advisor.
Foundations of Education (3 - 4 hours) Heading link
Choose one of the following courses with consent of program advisor:
- EPSY 449 Early Childhood/Early Childhood Special Education: Perspectives, Policies and History (4)
- SPED 461 Political and Socio-Cultural Perspectives in Special Education (3)
- ED 403 Policy Issues in the History of American Education (3)
- CI 481 Foundations and Current Issues in Educating English Language Learners (4)
Education Electives (16 - 20 hours) Heading link
Students seeking licensure or credentialing have specific course requirements within this elective category. Students must have their courses approved by the program advisor.
Additional Student Teaching Courses (12 hours) Heading link
Required for Illinois PEL with endorsements in Early Childhood Education and Early Childhood Special Education
- EPSY 523 Advanced Curriculum and Practice in Early Childhood Education (3)
- EPSY 521 Early Childhood Student Teaching (9)