Earn your M.Ed. in Early Childhood online. You're building bright futures for the youngest students. You have classroom experience with water tables, DIBELS, math manipulatives and hamsters. Now you're ready for more. With Northwestern College's online Masters in Early Childhood Education (preK-3rd grade), build on what you already know to become an even better teacher. Prepare for career opportunities as an early childhood administrator, specialist or consultant.
(Ranked #4 Best Online Master's in Early Childhood Education by CollegeChoice.net and theBestColleges.org)
It's more than a lane change. And it's all online.
100% online. 8-week courses.
Earning a graduate degree doesn't have to cost you time away from your other responsibilities. Northwestern College's online Masters in Early Childhood Education allows you to log into class each week and complete your coursework, whenever it's most convenient for you.
Take one online 8-week class at a time, completing two classes each semester, and you'll finish your M.Ed. in 2 years or less and be eligible for financial aid.
TEACH Grant
The TEACH Grant may be available to help pay for your master's if you teach or plan to become a teacher in a high-need field in a low-income area. For more information visit the TEACH Grant website.
Program Requirements
Courses
Core (18 credits):
EDU 555 - Trends and Issues in 21st Century Education
(3 credits) Teachers and schools must continually examine current
practices in PreK-12 education in search of better solutions to increase
student
achievement and to thoroughly prepare children for the world in which
they will live and work. In this course students will study current
social, political and academic trends and issues affecting children,
teachers and schools. Students will define their personal positions
based on facts and experience, and will collaborate with others to
advocate for solutions that improve education for PreK-12 grade students.
Prerequisite: completed bachelor's degree in education.
EDU 560 - Curriculum and Assessment for Student Learning
3 credits) Through a process of discussion, reflection, reading, discovery
and practice, this course will lead students to a more comprehensive
understanding of how curriculum and assessment are interrelated. Students
will delve into timely issues associated with curriculum and assessment
affecting schools. Upon completion, students will be prepared to develop
aligned curriculum and assessment that takes into consideration local,
state and national standards, best practices and students' diverse needs.
Prerequisite: completed bachelor's degree in education.
EDU 570 - Teaching and Learning with Technology
(3 credits) Technology integration in the K-12 setting can enhance
learning, improve motivation and engagement, increase accessibility,
individualize instruction, differentiate assessment and improve
communication with parents and stakeholders. In this course students
will broaden their understanding of the technology available to them in
the PreK-12 classroom and improve their ability to leverage specific
technology to improve teaching and learning.
Prerequisite: completed bachelor's degree in education.
EDU 610 - Educational Research Methods and Design
(3 credits) This course will provide an overview of research methodology
employed for studies in the field of education. Topics include basic
research methodology, interpretation of findings, and application of
research in educational settings. Students will develop their ability to
critically evaluate educational research and to judiciously apply
findings in their professional settings. By the conclusion of the course
students will be able to identify a potential topic for future research
and outline the basic methodology needed to conduct the study.
Prerequisite: completed bachelor's degree in education.
EDU 635 - Master’s in Education Capstone
(3 credits) In this course students will apply the cumulative knowledge and
skills learned in their master's program through an action research project.
Research focus may be related to student learning, teacher effectiveness,
school quality, school policy or other area by approval. The project will be
proposed, approved, designed, and implemented prior to the
student's graduation with a master's degree in education from Northwestern
College. Students who do not have a finished capstone approved by the
M.Ed. Director at the conclusion of EDU635 will repeat the
course for credit.
Prerequisite: completed bachelor's degree in education.
Note: Graded on a pass/no pass basis.
Choose one
EDU 540 - Teaching Young Children with Diverse Needs (3 credits)
(3 credits) Students will learn to design curriculum, instruction and
assessment
specific to the needs of diverse children ages 0 through 8. Create safe
and nurturing classroom environments that are developmentally appropriate
and respect diversity. Collaborate with stakeholders to meet the needs
of young children.
Prerequisite: completed bachelor's degree in education.
EDU 565 - Instructional Strategies for Diverse Students and Settings (3 credits)
(3 credits) This course is intended for experienced teachers, and will
focus on
building off of prior knowledge and experience to improve student
learning. Research-based instructional strategies will be studied, with
particular emphasis on adapting and employing strategies to fit students'
cognitive abilities, motivation, interest, cultural background and other
unique characteristics in diverse settings. Students in this class will
apply new instructional strategies in their practice to positively impact
learning in the PreK-12 classroom.
Prerequisite: completed bachelor's degree in education.
Requirements: Early Childhood Area of Emphasis (15 credits)
EDU 505 - Collaboration & Advocacy in the Early Childhood Community
(3 credits) Examine characteristics of the diverse cultures and structures
prevalent
in American families, and how those factors influence children's growth
and development. This course emphasizes strategies to improve
collaboration with families, schools and community partners to improve
students' success outcomes.
Prerequisite: completed bachelor's degree in education.
EDU 525 - Advanced Child Development
(3 credits) Intensive study of typical and atypical development of children
from
birth through age eight. This course will immerse you in research that
will improve your ability to facilitate the cognitive, emotional,
physical and social development of young children with diverse abilities
and needs.
Prerequisite: completed bachelor's degree in education.
EDU 530 - Leadership of Early Childhood Programs
(3 credits) Thorough examination of roles, responsibilities and
characteristics of
effective leaders of early childhood programs with a focus on personal
growth in leadership and communication. Emphasis on identifying areas of
strength and need in programs and staffing to create opportunities for
improvement.
Prerequisite: completed bachelor's degree in education.
EDU 535 - Strategies for Early Literacy Development
(3 credits) Examine widely accepted theories of language, reading and
writing
development in young children. Use research and assessment data to
identify curricula and instructional strategies most suited to the
diverse needs of young children. Examine research and develop strategies
to leverage play in providing successful literacy instructional
experiences.
Prerequisite: completed bachelor's degree in education.
EDU 575 - Science and Math in Early Childhood: A STEM Approach
3 credits) Integrate science and math instruction throughout the early
grades curriculum, with a focus on activating children's innate
curiosity, modeling habits of the mind, and fostering students' belief in
their ability to learn. Focus on curriculum, instruction and assessment
that are developmentally appropriate for young children.
Prerequisite: completed bachelor's degree in education.
Total Credits: 33 credit hours
Add your endorsement!
Early Childhood M.Ed. + Endorsement
credits 40 | completion just over 2 years (6 to 7 semesters)
Add an extra semester of courses and student teaching to earn your Birth Through Grade Three Inclusive Setting Endorsement (Formally Endorsement 100: Early Childhood Integrated Setting) while earning your M.Ed. Here's how.
