Master of Science in Education

Program Summary

The University of Maine at Farmington’s Master of Science in Education in Early Childhood degree program:

• is designed for early childhood professionals who wish to become exceptional leaders.
• emphasizes child development based curriculum, development, and assessment, across ages birth through age 8, as well as an understanding of the family and community contexts in which these children are educated.
• requires 36 graduate credits over a two or four year cycle using online and face-to-face delivery. Approximately 30% of the program will be delivered through face-to-face instruction and 70% will be delivered using distance technology tools.
• requires a technologically current computer, an up-to-date web browser, and high-speed Internet access.

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Core Curriculum (eight 3-credit courses for a total of 24 credits)*

• ECH 500 Early Childhood Education in Today’s World
• ECH 533 Advanced Foundations of Child Development
• ECH 534 Advanced Program Administration
• ECH 535 Play and the Social World of the Child
• ECH 538 Collaboration with Families and Communities
• ECH 539 Curriculum Development and Assessment
• ECH 540 Research Methods in Early Childhood
• ECH 541 Field-Based Research

Electives (four 3-credit courses for a total of 12 credits)*

• ECH 502 Diverse Programming in Early Learning Environments
• ECH 503 Leadership and Supervision
• ECH 504 Early Childhood Policy and Research
• ECH 505 Mathematics in the Early Childhood Years
• ECH 537 Science in the Early Childhood Years
• ECH 577 Special Topics in Early Childhood Education
• Up to nine (9)graduate credits (500 level or above) may be transferred into the program if:
  • content is appropriate as judged by the faculty;
  • course was completed within five (5) years of applying to the program;
  • credit was granted at an accredited higher education institution; and
  • a grade of B (3.0) or better was awarded.

* Participation in courses with direct contact with children requires proof of an official clear criminal history and child abuse and neglect record.

Faculty

The Master of Science in Education program is approved as part of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) accreditation of the University of Maine at Farmington.