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Master's in Early Childhood Education

Master of Science (M.S.)

Enhance your professional skills in early childhood education through an online master's program ranked among the Top 10 nationwide.

UND's master's in Early Childhood Education online program is a non-licensing degree. It prepares you to address the educational needs of children under the age of eight, in a variety of settings.

Program type:
Master's Degree
Format:
Online
Est. time to complete:
2+ years
Credit hours:
32
  • Requirements
  • Tuition & Aid
  • Why UND Online?
  • How to Apply

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Why earn a master's in early childhood education online?

Application Deadlines
Fall:
June 1* | Aug. 1
Spring:
Nov. 1* | Dec. 1
Summer:
April 1* | May 1

*Priority deadline

The online master's in Early Childhood Education combines theory and research with practical experience. You begin with the belief that the child is a born learner. As a teacher, you must be an open-minded observer who develops early learning curriculum with the child in mind.

The child is always at the center of our online early childhood education program. Through online courses and a classroom practicum, you will learn educational methods that emphasize young children in the context of their:

  • Family
  • Culture
  • Community

Accredited Master's in Early Childhood Education

Teacher Education programs at UND are accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). The ECE online program follows the guidelines of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).

Master's in Early Childhood Education Online

  • Be part of the NDMTSS Social Emotional Learning Network. You’ll share experiences, celebrate successes, and problem-solve perceived barriers related to social emotional learning.

  • Gain skills in curriculum development, lesson planning and child development.

  • Learn from highly qualified faculty with graduate degrees and extensive experience in teaching graduate-level early childhood education courses.

  • Gain hands-on experience through a UND-approved, 60-hour classroom practicum in your community, which can be completed in your own classroom.

  • Enjoy the affordability of in-state tuition, regardless of where you live.

  • Get an engaging and interactive learning experience for developing leadership and management competencies though Aim4Excellence. It is offered through a partnership with the McCormick Center for Early Childhood Leadership. 

What can you do with a master's in early childhood education?

4%

Projected growth for kindergarten and elementary school teachers through 2031

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

61K

Median annual pay for kindergarten and elementary school teachers

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

The master's in Early Childhood Education online program prepares you to teach and be a leader in:

  • Public and private schools (Pre-K and Kindergarten through third grade)
  • Head Start/Early Head Start programs
  • Child care and education centers
  • Other programs related to the education of young children

Master's in Early Childhood Education Jobs

You can work as a:

  • Early Childhood Teacher
  • Educational Director
  • Administrator
  • Curriculum Specialist
  • Early Intervention Specialist
  • College Teacher

There is a push to improve early childhood education in many states by offering full-day kindergarten and universal preschool programs. These programs, along with projected higher enrollment growth for preschool age children, will create demand for new jobs.

Master's in Early Childhood Education Courses

T&L 553. Collaborative Relationships: Home, School and Community. 3 Credits.

A course appropriate for anyone working with families, early childhood educators, general educators, special educators, related service personnel, administrators and outside agency personnel. Topics covered include: (1) the various models of collaboration and consultation and the stages of each; (2) communication skills; (3) problem-solving; (4) conflict management; (5) diverse perspectives; (6) information collection procedures; (7) supervisory skills; (8) family characteristics and structure across the lifespan; (9) family focused intervention; (10) school choices; and (11) school issues such as poverty, domestic violence, teasing, bullying, and school violence.

T&L 527. Curricular Foundations in Early Childhood Education. 3 Credits.

This course examines the historical, philosophical, cultural, race, class, and gender influences on curriculum in early childhood, including the philosophy and mission of the Department of Teaching and Learning.

SPED 510. Introduction to Early Childhood Special Education. 3 Credits.

An introduction to the field of Early Childhood Special Education, primarily for students interested in entering the field. Issues such as program design, parent involvement, identification, infant education, and effects of disabilities will be covered. F,S,SS.

T&L 530. Foundations of Reading Instruction. 3 Credits.

This course focuses on the relationship between reading theory, research, contemporary issues and instructional practice. Emphasis is placed on strategic systems related to effective reading, instructional approaches that support the development of these strategic systems and assessment as collecting evidence of effective reading behaviors. F,S.

T&L 529. Language Development & Cognition in Children. 3 Credits.

This course provides foundational information about language and cognitive development in children. The course content will also analyze typical and atypical language and cognitive development. The focus of the course will include children birth to age eight. .

T&L 526. Play in Development and Early Childhood Education. 3 Credits.

This course explores the role of play in cognitive, physical and social-emotional development, and the way in which play is incorporated into educational and other programmatic settings. Students will explore how assessment of play indicates a child's development, and they will use assessment to promote Developmentally Appropriate Practices (DAP) for PreK-Grade 3 (ages 3-8) learners.

Best Master's in Early Childhood Education Online

UND is consistently recognized as a best online early childhood master's program.

#1 TheBestSchools
#8 Grad School Hub
#8 Value Colleges
#14 Intelligent
#15 SuperScholar

U.S. News ranks UND as top online graduate education program for veterans. It cites veterans and active-duty service members gain the most from distance education that is affordable, accessible and reputable. The 2020 Best Online Programs for Veterans rankings measure these factors in consideration of financial benefits available specifically to people with military experience.

U.S. News Ranking

Leaders in Early Childhood Education

Students from across the world are earning their degrees through UND's online Early Childhood Education program.

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Explore More Options

Connect with the education faculty you'll work with at UND or explore other online master's degrees in education.

  • Department of Teaching, Leadership & Professional Practice
  • Similar Graduate Degrees
Department Contact
Kristen Votava
Graduate Director
P 701.777.5683
kristen.votava@UND.edu
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