M.Ed. Early Childhood Education
Overview
The purpose of the Master of Education in Early Childhood Education (birth to age eight, with an emphasis on preschool through third grade) is to provide a research-based Clemson University master's degree program that strengthens the math, science, and technology knowledge base and skills of early childhood teachers at the state, national, and international levels. Furthermore, this master's degree program offers a thesis track, which will increase the number of professionals in the field of early childhood education who are prepared to continue graduate work, complete the terminal degree, and provide research and teaching contributions within South Carolina and the nation. There is currently a shortage of doctoral level professionals in early childhood education, and an important goal of this program is to provide a research-based master's program that will encourage further graduate work.
Admission Requirements
For admission, individuals must have:
A. Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution
B. Admission to the Clemson Graduate School
- To be considered for admission to the Graduate School candidates must submit:
- Online application
($55.00 application fee)
- Select program code 308 (Early Childhood Education) on the online application form
- Official transcripts
- Transcripts are required from prior institutions from which a degree was awarded and from which transfer credit is desired (GPR of 3.00 during the last 60 hours)
- Two recommendations (one from immediate/prior supervisor)
- Recommendation forms may be sent to recommenders electronically from online application or you may download a PDF recommendation form to send to your recommenders to complete and return to the Graduate School
- Copy of valid teaching certificate
- Competitive GRE scores
- Competitive scores are required for admissions for degree-seeking candidates. Scores are considered holistically with applicant's background and potential success in graduate school
- For more information on registering for the GRE, please visit the GRE website
- Applicants for whom English is a second language must also submit acceptable TOEFL scores
PROGRAM OF STUDIES
CURRICULUM
Listed below are all of the courses for the master's degree in early childhood education. The degree will have two tracks: Track 1 is the thesis option and Track 2 is the applied option. Both tracks require 24 hours of core courses, which include courses in early childhood and math/science/technology emphasis courses. Track 1 requires research methods courses and a six-hour thesis for a total of 36 hours. Track 2 requires 18 hours of applied coursework in addition to 24-hour core coursework for a total of 42 hours. Courses for both tracks are listed below.
TRACK I: THESIS OPTION
Required Courses for all Students (24hours)
ED EC 800 Parent Education in Early Childhood Multicultural Settings
ED EC 840 Theories of Early Childhood Education
ED EC 850 Creative and Cognitive Development in Early Childhood Education: Creating Connections to Math and Science
ED EC 890 Assessment and Program Planning in Early Childhood
ED EC 895 Integrating Math, Science, and Technology into the Inclusive Early Childhood Curriculum
ED SP 760 Social Development and Guidance of Young Children In Inclusive Settings
READ 870 Early Literacy: Strategic Reading and Writing Instruction
MTHSC 715 Quantitative Literacy I
Research/Thesis Track (12 hours)
ED F 778 Experimental and Non-experimental Research Methods in Education
ED F 879 Qualitative Research in Education
ED EC 885 Thesis Research in Early Childhood Education
THESIS OPTION TOTAL 36 HOURS
TRACK II: APPLIED OPTION
Required Courses for all Students (24 hours)
ED EC 800 Parent Education in Early Childhood Multicultural Settings
ED EC 840 Theories of Early Childhood Education
ED EC 850 Creative and Cognitive Development in Early Childhood Education: Creating Connections to Math and Science
ED EC 890 Assessment and Program Planning in Early Childhood
ED EC 895 Integrating Math, Science, and Technology into the Inclusive Early Childhood Curriculum
ED SP 760 Social Development and Guidance of Young Children In Inclusive Settings
READ 870 Early Literacy: Strategic Reading and Writing Instruction
Choose One of the Following
ED F 778 Experimental and Non-experimental Research Methods in Education
ED F 879 Qualitative Research in Education
Applied Track (18 hours)
ED EC 810 Foundations and Methods of Early Childhood Education
ED EC 820 Advanced Curriculum in Early Childhood Education
ED EC 880 Current Issues in ECE
*ED EL 826 Advanced Methods in Elementary Science Teaching
*ED EL 892 Advanced Methods in Elementary School Mathematics
*ED F 697 Instructional Media in the Classroom
ED F 701 Advanced Human Development
ED F 702 Advanced Educational Psychology
*ED SP 822 Teaching Mathematics to Individuals with Disabilities
READ 865 Evaluation and Remediation of Reading Problems
READ 871 Literacy Across the Curriculum
READ 873 Models for Balanced Literacy
**Note: Students in the applied track are required to take two of these courses with specialized content in math, science, or technology.
APPLIED TRACK TOTAL 42 HOURS
Contact Information
Tillman 401A
(864) 656-0327
